We never doubt what we believe until we start to think about it.

Human beings have struggled with the ultimate problems of life as long as there have been human beings. This struggling has produced comprehensive visions of the world that have been historically called religions. All definitions of religion are inconclusive, but range from a Divine Mind ruling the Universe–to a childhood neurosis or the opium of the people.

One in five Americans now describe themselves as “Spiritual but not religious.” 70% of those between ages 18 – 29 embrace this frame of mind. What does it mean to be spiritual? To be religious? What does it mean to be more spiritual than religious?

With intentional good humor and common sense, Looking Into the Light, examines this post-modern personal identity through an invitation to a psychology of independent, self-responsible, reality-centered mindfulness. A deepened understanding of one’s true self requires being conscious of one’s consciousness: an awareness of the patterned thinking produced by the sway of society, culture, religion and family.

Spirituality and religion are not synonymous.

Spirituality is to religion as being is to wanting.

Spirituality is an innate, insightful receptivity to unconditional personal truth. It is grounded in perceptions gleaned from one’s own experience, not in standardized opinions on the essence of reality. Religions are historical expressions of moods and motivations about ultimate concerns; branded organizers of consciousness. Religion debates erupt over everything from dogma to food; wording of prayers to what to wear. In an increasingly complex world, requiring fidelity to the absolutes of religious theologies is all but impossible–and irrelevant. You do not need organized religion to live a life of faith.

The Great Questions about our existence are unanswerable and it is futile to delve into divine realities. It is self-awareness, inquiry, and an understanding of the hidden social and psychological influences impacting our lives, that open the door to finding the larger truths about ourselves. Every person undertaking this “work” increases the potential for the achievement of a goal of world community–necessary for a sustainable planet. Love is always the answer. It is as simple as that.

Choosing not to identify with a particular faith makes you a soul-at-large. For souls-at-large, the spiritual performance of life is in a theatre without walls, on a stage without backdrops. The view is unobstructed, the path unencumbered.

What matters is the intention in your heart, the awareness in your mind, and the silence of your soul.

The sensing heart lives in wonder.  The conscious mind lives in questions.  The receptive soul lives in silence.

Learn from the silence within yourself.  Listen to the pause between the sounds of human utterances tainted with counsel that seeks to make you a duplication of others.  Find the peace no combination of words can provide.

“We are constantly invited to be who we are.”

— Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)