Religión, Why? -A Universal Religion

Most established forms of religion recognize the human being as one of the most magnificent creations in this universe. Bestowed with the divine gift of faith, existing in an intricate reality composed of collective beliefs and archetypes, with an intellectual and spiritual capacity to explore the profound nature of their existence. For centuries, humankind has moved through each new paradigm, held steady through a mutual faith, and a collective foundation that recognizes something greater that themselves.

            So what of religion through all of these chapters of the human existence? To what degree has faith in something greater, helped shape the common grounds of each new paradigm, as humanity strives to authentically experience its deeper spiritual nature? Regardless of where you stand on the subject of religion, and independently of any particular religion you may practice, you are a part of a much larger religious equation than you may realize. In fact, religion is such a powerful concept engrained into our collective and individual psyche, that we couldn’t escape its presence if we wanted to. Even committed atheists and agnostics recognize religion as something to defy, therefore substantiating its power and presence.

            Truth be told, there is not nearly enough space in this months issue for me to completely reveal the entirety of my thoughts and passions toward religion. And I will request your understanding in advance, as my thoughts here may seem a bit less organized this month due to my passionate outbursts in the topic of religion.

            So that being said, I will be focused on two universally applicable insights this month, so that as many people as possible can benefit from my words in this issue.

            Firstly, I would like to address the underlying fabric of our collective thought patterns that resonate to create both the physical, and the non physical planes of reality, both in which religion is highly present and thriving. From our prayers and practices, our angles and demons, and everything in between, we create and uphold a religious presence within the lunar/astral planes by way of collective understandings and worship through our religions here in the physical plane.

            Secondly, I would like to discuss the presence of both right hand and left hand path forms of worship. As a spiritualist involved in multiple paths of study and practice, I have the unique privilege of communicating with an immense range of religious people, from Jews and Catholics to Thelemites within the Golden Dawn, and even a few practicing Satanists. The common trait I see throughout each faith is that each of these individuals gravitates toward dedicating their time of worship to something greater than their physical self. I will be discussing how and why certain personality types gravitate toward either a right hand or left hand path of religious practice, and revealing how as humans, we are all an integral part of both.

            So this may sound a bit loaded, and if the subject matter is not of interest, please read no further. I find that some have become uninterested in the word “Religion”, as a new wave of terminology has crashed over the old vocabularies of traditional faiths. But be certain, the game has never changed. The human being will stop at noting to express its inner divinity through acts of faith, and it matters not the terms we use to identify with our spiritual reality, it only matters that we use our path of exploration with wisdom and accuracy. And I might add, we must do this with the upmost respect for the distinct paths chosen by others. Should you feel that for one moment you are the only one climbing the mountain to reach divinity on the correct trail, you have gone no further that the base of the mountain, while fooling only yourself of your spiritual achievements.

Collective beliefs:

            So let’s begin by examining the solidified imprint of religion within the collective human psyche. And more specifically, how our individual and collective thought patterns have given rise to the reality of millions of religious archetypes throughout human history.

            For those of you reading who also do a fair bit of astral traveling, you will have had previous experience with the spiritual beings resonating at frequencies just beyond the electromagnetic scope of matters here in the physical. Many of these beings are direct manifestations of our thought vibrations, manifested through the frequency of sheer faith and worship, giving rise to their actual presence within the astral and spiritual realms. I once spoke with a fellow Light body Traveler who had a fascinating experience in the halls of Valhalla, (The traditional Viking afterlife place of rest) and she was nearly speechless from the precision of the experience. As some of you may know, I myself have had the overwhelming opportunity to meet the presence of the great Mystic Jesus Christ within the astral, and reach out to briefly touch his hand.  But rather than turn this into a target piece for religious and spiritual skeptics, lets turn to some historical psychology.

http://carl-jung.net/archetypes.html

            Here, we can begin to understand why we are closely surrounded by our own collective creations, including the many religious archetypes like saints, sages, angels, and demons. We must be very clear here in recognizing that we exist in a pool of collective thought patterns, all of which carry a real vibration into our physical and akashic/astral environments. Religious archetypes have been, and will remain, a part of a collective construct as long as humanity expresses their faith through religion.

          Moving one step further, lets examine the ancient philosophy of the Anima Mundi, or soul of the world. Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee shared an amazing article on this last week, and I highly recommend reading his work after this. The basis of this philosophy is that all of nature is a living entity both physically and spiritually. The Anima Mundi is the living reflection that mirrors all physical nature within a higher vibrational, non-physical realm. This is often referred to as the Lunar Plane, the Akashic realm, or even Yesod in Kabbalistic tradition.

            As explained, religion exists here on earth both through physical structures, and deeply rooted belief structures. Both of which carry a profound presence into the non-physical realms. The Alchemists and Hermeticists understood that even our physical structures here on Earth, such as Churches, shrines, and places of worship, maintain a living presence that carries into the soul of the world. The lower astral realms (lunar planes) are filled with many of mystics, angels, archangels, sages, demons, and mythical religious figures from throughout the ages.  As a quick note, remember that as a concept disintegrates in the collective mind of humankind, so does its non-physical reflection in the astral. The Animi Mundi is but a reflection of all physical matter and thought forms, nothing more. This is why many cultures find it so important to keep religious figures alive through detailed mythologies. This is why the halls of Valhalla are still accessible to the astral traveler for example.

Left and Right hand paths, The Duality of Physical Existence.

            Having looked at the presence of religious traditions within our collective non-physical reality, we can now examine how the duality of right and left hand religious traditions compliment the polarized nature of our physical and non-physical universe. Bare in mind as we continue here, that the energetic makeup of our physical and non-physical realities are tightly wound with trillions of collective thought patterns that give rise to the reality of religions, a god, archangels, guardian angels, demons, shells, saints, mystical beings, and everything in between.

            To exist in physical form, within a body here on earth, you must maintain a polarity. Without the dualities that define all physical matter from protons to electrons, electric to magnetic, male to female, and even hot to cold, there can be no physicality. Our physical brains are dualistic in nature as well, containing a right and left hemisphere. Our left-brain is clearly in tune with the intellect and rational, calculated aspects of existence, while our right brain is tuned into our emotional, artistic, and imaginative experiences, among others.

            While there are literally a thousand social and physiological factors that lead each of us into specific paths of spiritual study, it has become my own observation over the years, that in general, those who are left brain thinkers, rational and intellectual, are driven to experience their divinity externally. This is done in the form of a right hand religious path, and usually places god outside of himself or herself. Those who are dominantly right brain thinkers, intuitive and imaginative, generally gravitate to experience divinity as an internal experience, and inevitable encounter a left hand path of religion. Again, I speak in generals here, as there have been many acceptations to my observation here. I know many who have stuck a close balance within their own brain and use both Matriarchal and Patriarchal religious practices.

            Nonetheless, both of these dualistic religious paths have existed just as long as the human being has. Simply by stating this, we can understand how even religion is a polarized entity. One might go as far to observe each individual as a part of one collective mind, operating from within a left of right hemisphere, worshiping the gods and deities of their right and left hand religions. In working with a great number of advanced spiritualists on both sides of the spectrum, I have seen a commonality in both. Weather I’m speaking with an adept from the Golden Dawn, or an open minded Catholic Priest, I find they both realize the need for the others place in existence. Without the balance of right and left within religion, the world would not exist. If there is one underlying theme that I wish to leave with you this month, it’s that creation needs duality, and that within your own psyche, exist both sides of universal truth. If you express your faith from a traditional right hand path, be respectful of those who worship gods, angels and demons that you feel go against your own religion. And to all members of the Left hand spiritual orders, maintain awareness of the need for Right hand religions, and respect the balance they give to your form of worship. Each of us has an inner need to express our faith, and explore our spiritual nature, and we do so in a beautiful blend of religious systems.

            And without getting too far off topic this month, I want to insert a relevant and meaningful quote from the book “Life, is But a Dream” for those who may be currently in the state of defiance toward organized religion. I realize that many readers may be seeking truth from a newly liberated state, having thrown off what they consider the trappings of their inherited dogmas. This is a healthy place to be in by all means, but I ask that you do consider the following words as you move forward from you liberated state of spiritual exploration.

            “Behind any religion’s social aspects, dogmas, and influential politics there is always a core of experiential knowledge. This is indeed the case, as it is always that form of experience and the knowledge it spawns that lead to the cultivation of a new religious expression. However, the spiritual practices that are cultivated are often separated from that initial experience, both historically and ideologically. The methods of worship made available to the masses are more often than not shadows of the original artifact. While the same spark lights them, they are often reduced from internally guided experiences into physical and oral routines, which appeal to a simple portion of the mind.

            Religious institutions exist within the larger context of society, and must coexist with other social and political authorities, such as those associated with the government and educational establishments. Understand that each law, religion, political/social structure, and even traditional mythology, serves the needs of a specific society. Within that culture, the religion must attend to minds in need of their guidance while meeting the level of spiritual maturity of the society itself. At the heart of virtually all religions, there is a mystical path capable of leading true seekers to a state of enlightenment, but it is often found in the periphery of the religious landscape.

            Frustration over any religious or political structure, for example, is ultimately not an external issue. As people journey towards liberation from such institutions and their limitations, they reach a point of realization, understanding these frustrations are truly about what is lurking within the psyche and the self. While the institutions have informed the structure of the mind and cultivated its self-imposed limitations, one eventually realizes these limitations are no longer related to the institution itself, at least in terms of self-development. What must be eventually dealt with and overcome is the internal relationship with a set of self-ascribed beliefs. It does not matter where the limitations of our beliefs originate, they are now here, within our own minds, and this is what we must address. Once we realize this, if we do not step beyond those beliefs, we become the self-selected victims of those governing institutions. Should we choose not to overcome these programming’s, we can no longer blame those institutions, because we have chosen to remain in that relationship.”

Until next month,

Dr. Joseph Kenneth

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