Eden Come
On God and the kingdom
Many people don’t like the word as it carries a lot of baggage, but I’ll use it anyway — there is nothing but God. Beyond time and space, beyond all concepts and forms, unchanging. Yet, God is the world.
Therefore, world is perfect, and God can be said to be omnipresent. So it follows that also omnipotent and, since information is equivalent with all that is, omniscient too. While we can debate to what extent are our choices biased and due to what factors, the elementary act of selection is the freedom itself. And still, each choice is accounted for. Well, perhaps because options are always limited in some way.
Yet, despite those limits, knowledge of God — the most important option for human as a product and essential force (or component) of Universe as it is — does exist. Naturally, because it simply mirrors the inherent perfection of the world. So, within the context where adjectives can be applied, God is also omnibenevolent.
Which is merely a convoluted way of saying that God is synonymous with all-encompassing unconditional love. Anything goes, even though everything is constrained by (strict) causal rules.
Garden reveals itself upon entering. The kingdom shines in all its glory. But don’t search for literal doors and passages. You enter by letting what you think you are to die. Some may call it the death of ego. No wonder that the path is narrow and the border is thin. Or as they say, “Many are called, few are chosen.” Well, perhaps a better phrasing would be, “Many attempt, few accomplish.”
And since I mentioned accomplishments — to be what you are, or authentic as the catchphrase of our times goes, you must first know who or what you are. Sure, one can be an authentic idiot, but that is needlessly painful for all involved, not to mention the despair of bewilderment. “Why?! Oh, why?!” the ignorant is hitting their head against the seemingly impenetrable wall.
Thus, finding the kingdom is the first step.
When I imagine the ideal conditions, I eat something here, drink something there, elsewhere, I may even smoke something. Thank you plants and beasts of all elements! I plant some seeds and water some plants in another place, I restrict some weeds here and there as they are persistent. I give water and food to animals who rely on me. I keep my burrow nice and tidy, so it’s comfy when it’s time to sleep or curl up. And of course, I don’t want to nest on a landfill, so I treat the vicinity of my den accordingly.
But, while the rest of the garden is fulfilling in its own right, the real joy comes from meeting my kin. Human on human connections. Like a dog, I wag my tail in excitement. Sometimes literally, when the depth of intimacy of the relationship warrants it. After all, no matter the interaction, intimacy aka openness is where it’s at.
On the most shallow level, the intimacy of passersby recognizing the kingdom in each other. Without a need for lengthy explanations, corrections, or spelling out one’s (world)views, standpoints, and boundaries. Truth is obvious and it brings smile to the faces of all present. Thus, the kingdom is manifest and brought out into (cosmic) society. No one can bring it out, however, if they are oblivious to the fact that they have it in themselves, that they are literally (part of) it. No intimacy to speak of is possible without it.
Some of you might think that my vision is rather naturalistic, rural, and also antiquated, but I can assure you that my view does not end with basic human needs. I also see civilization with advanced infrastructure and technology, (digital?) networks, AI, or clean efficient sources of energy. I can even fancy humans on planets other than Earth.
However, not before each of us finds the kingdom of Heaven within as well as without. Otherwise our efforts will always be limited. Furthermore, we may successfully build (mostly junk) for some, rather short, time, but there will be no joy in it. We will be ecstatic for a moment, “Oh yeah, we’ve made it! What a blast!” and then the lull of apathy engulfs the Earth again as the short term rush of accomplishment dissipates.
Wherefore is such existence, if it resembles death more than life? Rest assured, death has its place, but so does life. Conflating the two is, if not disastrous, then simply completely missing the mark. Or as some people would say, “sin.”
Thus, the second step is where knowledge and action merge into one — mustard seed breaks the crust of earth and leaven pushes the dough above the rim of a bowl. Just beware of the difference between attaining information and attaining knowledge. They are worlds apart — those worlds that make the whole world of difference, even if nothing changes.
Well, may the knowledge of God cover the Earth as the waters cover the seabed.
