Spirituality
Faith and Belief
By
Ron Bernard



SUMMARY


I decided to explore spirituality a topic for my I-Search. Not because I thought, it would be an interesting subject or I was curious about what other people believed. Rather a continuation of a journey I began a number of years ago. My quest, at the beginning, was of a life-saving nature. From a point in my life, when my belief and faith in logic, science and self-sufficiency had failed me utterly and my reasoning was bore of fear, anger and resentment. During my quest, my spiritual epiphanies have been many. As my fear and anger slowly fell away, they’ve been replaced by hope and sense of humility, saving me from the brink of self-destruction. I thank God daily for his grace as I strive to be a better person and will continue my journey long after this paper is graded and put on the self.
I have assembled the following information on different forms of spirituality in hope that it will demonstrate to you the reader, as it as to me, the nature and tremendous power of faith, belief and leave with a better understanding of the word Spirituality.



TABLE OF CONTENTS


Summary......................................................................................... 2
Table of Contents............................................................................ 3
Introduction.................................................................................... 4
Why I’m Writing............................................................................. 6
What I Know................................................................................... 7
The Search...................................................................................... 9
What I Learned.............................................................................. 10
What Next..................................................................................... 23
List of Sources.............................................................................. 24






Introduction


I am a recovered alcoholic; having faith and relying in the power of God and maintaining spiritual principles are the most important factors in my life. In fact, my life literally depends on it. To me there is a fine line between the word spirituality and religion. In general, the word spirituality has a broad meaning, with many definitions. For me, circumstance dictates its use and its meaning. Many times in this offering, spirituality will also include religion. My personal history should prove its importance in my life.
I was raised a Roman Catholic and attended Parochial School until the 7th grade. Until that time, I practiced the religion faithfully, though sometimes unwillingly. In any case, I left the all wisdom and all power stuff to god in his heaven. Being young and not exposed too much else, life was simple. As I reflect upon it now, ignorance truly is bliss. The thing I can remember clearly is that I had faith and truly believed, as I do now that, God is all loving, all-powerful and all forgiving.
However, as I grew older, I began to worship other gods because of the immediate gratifications or results: The god of money, the god of sex, the god of self, even the god of intelligence. All gave me what I wanted; a sense of power and well-being I thought was important. A world according to Ron, so to speak. To make a long story short, my false sense of power and faith in material thing lead to failure and disappointment. A life filled with resentment, selfishness, fear, deceit and dishonesty.
For the past 24 years, I have been on a journey. I will call it a spiritual journey. When I speak of spirituality here, I am not only referring to religion. I will use the Merriam-Webster definitions of spirit to illustrate my point. http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary Spirit: 1. the animating or vital principle held to give life to physical organisms. 2. The immaterial intelligent or sentient part of a person. 5a. the activating or essential principle influencing a person. In other words, holding these definitions in mind, I can honestly admit, at a minimum, that I am a person, a physical organism influenced by a sense of self. Taking it a step further, a human, which is to some extent emotionally sick that frequently, makes mistakes. It is vitally important for me to keep this last analysis foremost in mind. If I do not, I can be certain I would again, start to seek that false sense of power and well-being I mentioned earlier. Worshiping the gods that I thought served me so well. Therefore, I would, again, be at the beginning of a vicious cycle endured by selfish people. It works that way. Therefore, when I say spiritual, I mean the recognition that if I would like to have a meaningful and useful life, I must admit and have no special power and no infinite wisdom. That I am a human just like everyone else, with assets and shortcomings. Denying this, for me is fatal. A sentence to hopelessness. Accepting it and surrendering to life, as it really is, is a ticket to serenity. I am interested in exploring other means of spirituality or al least learn more of the nature of its power.




WHY

These last few years God had been good to me. I have been able to maintain a level of “spirituality” by trying to conform to God’s will, practicing the principles defined in alcoholics anonymous, the Christian faith and generally surrendering to life as life is. I also know that it is my willingness to have faith and belief in these principles, which works for me. A willingness to believe in these principles was all I needed, once all of the self-made/selfish ones failed me ultimately, I decided to write my I-search on this topic because I am curious about the many other beliefs and faiths practiced around the world. Many seem to work well for the practitioners. Perhaps I might find something that will work for me as well.
Some of my I-search questions will try to explore other forms of spiritual and religious beliefs. Here are the questions I will pose and attempt to answer.
What is?
· Christianity, – who was Jesus Christ? Was he a social conservative or a political radical, a human or a god, tough or forgiving?
· New age Spirituality - is astrology a reliable method of foretelling the future? Are crystals and other semi-precious stones a source of healing or energizing power? Are tarot cards a base for life decisions?
· Spiritualism - Science, philosophy or religion? What is a medium? Are there spiritual healers? Is there a spirit world?
By exploring and answering these topics, I will better understand the nature of faith and belief.
What I know

What I know may not be the best way to title this section of my, I search. What I believe would be better. I pursue this topic with fair warning from my professor.
Understanding that spirituality is a broad topic and interpreted differently by many groups, fellowships and religions. It is not a material thing, something you can fold up and put on the shelf or put in a box and store in the closet. Therefore, in this section I will state what I believe works for me. Moreover, what I know has been successful in my life so far.
I will start with spirituality concerning religion. I believe in god, a spirit of the universe, a power greater than myself, a higher power if you will. I believe in Jesus Christ and have faith in his teachings. I also try practice the principles of Christian faith. I do not really know if he was the son of god. I do know if I practice his teachings, life is usually more fulfilling.
My spirituality in my everyday life not only uses the principles from my religious beliefs, they put them in action, by trying to do the next best thing not only for myself, but also for the others around me. I know (to use street slang), “what goes around comes around” or to use a quote. “Do unto others as you have them do unto you” can usually influence any personal situation for the better. I know and believe this because it works for me everyday. Knowing and practicing these principles, for me, has provided a fruitful and useful life.
Therefore, my interest in pursuing other forms of spirituality is not just a topic for (eng 101-jgoldfine) rather a quest for more information that would perhaps enhance the quality of my existence.
I know that New Age movement is unlike most formal religions, it has no holy text, membership, capital, clergy, creeds. They are believers and practitioners who share similar beliefs and practices, which they add on to whatever formal religion that might follow. Things like crystals, astrology and tarot cards are involved. I presently carry several rocks and a medal with me at all times for no special reason other than each one has a certain memory or meaning attached to it. Is this the same thing, perhaps so!

My first real contact with spiritualism is through my girlfriend Nev, a spiritualist. She believes in the spirit world, mediumship, personal responsibility, spiritual healing and holistic medicine. That man is a soul that has a body. That the body is just a vessel for the soul and death is not the end of life but a change of condition. If I refer back to my own beliefs, was not Jesus Christ a healer of both body and spirit. Moreover, how will I get to his heaven if my body does not die, releasing my spirit to go there? I don’t believe American has a flight there, yet!




The Search

I imagine my search began as most others did, on the internet. My topic begin spirituality, something that effects everyone, whether they realize or not, has proved to be a topic that has been researched, studied and practiced since man uttered he first words. The information I have found available has been overwhelming to say the least.
Starting with my internet search, I simply typed the word in the search engine. The resulting hits on Google was 6.90X10 6 or 6,900,000 and it only took 0.22 seconds to find them. I think it will take me a little longer to read them. Sorry, let me be a little more serious. I have decided to focus on two of them. New age spirituality and Maine state spiritualist association. The new age site actually provided to be the best lead to other topics that had been bouncing around in my head. Things like astrology, crystals and tarot cards.
The second site is the Maine state spiritualist association. Since my girlfriend Nev is a spiritualist, this site not only offers information on my chosen topic but a better insight on her beliefs as well. It all as been very interesting so far. The movement believes in things like the spirit world, mediumship, personal responsibility, spiritual healing and holistic medicine. These are not uncommon ideas. I have certainly been exposed to them in the past. I think I am beginning to understand the sayings “don’t judge a book by its cover” or “don’t throw the baby out with the bath water”. If anything, it all has opened my mind to new ideas and concepts of faith and belief. Nev should prove helpful in this section.
To finish with the internet, I now have hyperlinks to the following topics: Two to astrology history, two to tarot card history and two to crystal history along with the sites I mentioned. I have read some of the material and have been astounded with power of the faith and beliefs that have documented throughout history.
Finally, I found one paper on the subject titled: who was Jesus? By Mark Galli, the big job is to sort through it all. You were right John; I should have chosen lampshades as a topic!


What I learned.

What I learned was not a specific answer to any one question, but more insight in to power of belief, faith. I learned believing in and living by a set of principles like honesty, kindness, humility, moderation, love is calling on the inner qualities of self. Linked with, a like constructed religion, as Christianity or Judaism, can be a design for living, where one need not depend on external things for life decisions. Things such as crystals, astrology or a shuffle of some nicely painted cards. However, all of the disciplines and practices I have explored do require faith, belief to some degree to obtain a desired result. I can tell you from my personal experience as an Alcoholic, the minute I begin to depend on external sources (other than God) for peace, serenity, well-being or happiness, the door is opened for false-pride to step in which usually ends in failure and self- defeat. The following information I’ve listed is evidence of the power of faith and belief. Whether it is in God, astrology, crystals or a cut of the deck. The active elements necessary for all, are faith, belief. Some external, some internal, all are the ingredients to different forms of Spirituality.

Christianity: Jesus Christ...

Social conservative or political radical.

Author Rebecca Manley writes, “in Jesus we have… the holiest man who ever lived, and yet http://www.christianitytoday it was the prostitutes and lepers and thieves who adored him” wimpy or what?
Then there is Jesus the law-biding citizen. Each Sabbath he attended synagogue worship. He taught people they should pay their taxes, even if the government was unjust. He told his disciples that if a roman soldier ordered them, “Carry my equipment one mile, they should carry it two. (Matt 5:41)* However, just when you think Jesus is a friend of the establishment, he goes off and breaks a Sabbath law (plucking grain, for example). We also find him mocking the local governor for being dishonest (calling him a fox) and, even worse, publicly attacking religious leaders, calling them hypocrites. He is the one who teaches, “If someone strikes you on one cheek, offer him the other” (matt 5:39) and “he who lives by the sword dies by the sword” (matt 26:52), and “love your enemies” (Luke 6:27). One day he met a Roman Centurion, an army officer who no doubt rose to the rank of Centurion because he was good at mowing his enemies with his sword. After talking with this military man for a few minutes, what does Jesus do? Does he tell him to put down his weapon? Does he tell him to retire from the army? No. he praises the guy, saying he has more faith than anyone does he has met. (Matt 8:10) I ask you, Social Conservative or Political Radical. After examining the material I have gathered, I must say a little of both. One thing for sure he spoke of the spiritual not the material. I have come to believe as Jesus taught, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, nothing shall be impossible for you”. (Matt 13:31, 17:20) I also carry with a coin with a mustard seed embedded in it with this very saying.

Tough or forgiving?

You just cannot pin Jesus down. When you think you have got him figured out, he goes off and surprises you. This person, for example, handed down the toughest demands ever.
· “You must be perfect as your Father in Heaven is perfect.”(matt 5:48)
· “If a man looks at a woman with lust, he commits adultery.”(matt 5:28)
· “Take up your cross and follow me”(mark 3:34, luke 9:23)
And so on. The most uncompromising and stern religious teacher the world have ever known, right?
Yet he is also the person, who was walking along minding his own business when a bunch of religious leaders brought out a frightened woman and threw her down in front of him.
“She’s committed adultery;” they said “she should be killed-stoned to death!”(John 7:53, 8:11)
Jesus just bent down on one knee, started writing in the dirt, and said nothing.
“Well, what do you say? Should we kill her?” they asked.
Jesus just said, “He who as committed no sin can cast the first stone.”
Well, this really baffled the crowd, which slowly dispersed. Jesus turned to the woman. He told her not to sin any more, but he also said, “I do not condemn you”.
So what do you think; is Jesus the stern, uncompromising moral teacher; or a compassionate friend of sinners? Again, I say both. Again, here he dealt with principles and moral values.

Was he a God or a Human?

Here is the best one. Jesus was a man, a flesh and blood human being like you and me. We see this all over the gospels. After preaching and ministering, he got tired. Sometimes he needed to go off by himself. He got irritated when his disciples do not understand him. He wept when a good friend died. He felt physical pain. In short, he acted as if he was human.
However, there is something else going on all the while. He gave sight to the blind. He calmed fierce storms with a mere word (mark 4:39) (Peace be still!). He fed 5,000 people with a handful of food. (Matt 14:21) He raises a man form the dead (Lazarus). Better yet, he rose of the dead! He went around talking and acting as if he were God on earth. God or man? To this one, I just say yes! As I said, in the “What I know” section. I don’t really know if he was the son of god. For that matter, I do not really know if there is a God. It is my faith, belief and practice of the principles Jesus taught: honesty (john 8:30-36), kindness, humility (matt 23:12) and love (matt37:40) that seem to work well for me.

New Age Spirituality?
In this section, I have gathered a lot of information on Crystals, Astrology and Tarot Cards. I do not give much, if any credibility or power to these objects or beliefs. My belief is in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. However, if I were born in a different time or place or raised differently than I was, my beliefs could have been very different indeed. I did find it very interesting the power these objects have held through time and even today! Here is what I found,
Crystals, Precious and Semi-precious stones, and some beliefs attached to them throughout history.
Archaeologists have discovered Crystals in graves that have been http://www.toltectraders.com excavated in Europe, Middle East, Russia, and Africa. Beads, carvings, jewelry of amber, jet turquoise, lapis, garnet, carnelian, quartz, and other crystals. The value given to crystals in these various cultures is evident by their presence in the graves; they were intended to go with the departed soul to help them in the next life. Native Americans, the original settlers of North, Central, and South America used crystals widely for spiritual, ceremonial, and healing purposes, and served practical purposes, as well. The ancient Mexicans, for example, made mirrors out of pyrite.
· Obsidian served both practical and ritual purposes. The Mayans used it for ceremonial knives, and other tribes believed that it served to sharpen both outer and inner vision. http://www.crystalinks.com/crystal_healing.htm
· Turquoise was believed to be a stone, which bridged heaven and earth (a belief also held in Tibet). In one legend, it is stated that if one went to the end of the rainbow and dug in the earth he would find a turquoise.
· Mayan Indians used quartz crystals for both the diagnosis and treatment of disease. Some tribes believed that the souls of those who led good lives would go into crystals.
Here are some other interesting beliefs connected to crystals and other stones in found on the crystal sites listed! www.crystalinks.com/crystal_healing.http:
· Many crystals have healing properties that you can discover if you chose this healing technique.
· Crystals vibrate to at different rates enabling them to heal different areas of the body.
· Quartz also has the ability to transform an imbalanced energy field. When you feel stressed, the crystal can balance your energies and revitalize you.
· Other minerals besides quartz crystals - display-healing properties.
· Small quartz crystals left in water will ionize the water and is a good drink for healing.
Owning a crystal that you carry with you - or keep in the area you spend most of your time - can enhance the healing after you work with the healer. It is always good to have a few quartz crystals around your home. You know, I never had such a belief. Better stated would perhaps be “a desire or want to believe” in the power of these rocks. It almost borderlines on that relying on the gods of sex or money because it’s what I want. A sense of false power or wellbeing mentioned it the introduction. Nevertheless, I still carry four stones and two small medallions one with a small mustard seed inside to symbolize faith, with me most of the time for no special reason other than each one has a certain memory or meaning attached to it.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF ASTROLOGY
http://www.flex.com/~jai/articles/history1.htm
The science of astrology originated in Bharat, also known as "India," and has been practiced continuously for more than 8,000 years. Records of astrological knowledge have been found in the history of all nations and among the relics of all civilizations, past and present.
CHINA Aside from the Vedic records, perhaps the oldest records of astrological practice are to be found in China. The Chinese have been as scrupulous in preserving their records as the Hindus of Bharat.
BABYLON the first mention of astrology as the Babylonians practiced it appears to place the period at about 2,500 BCE, but no actual records of literature concerning the Babylonian contribution to the science have been discovered to date.
EGYPT It is evident that the Egyptian knew and used astrology many thousands of years before the time of Christ, and the earliest Egyptian astrologer mentioned is Petosiris, a priest who lived during the reign of Nicepsos about 800 BCE. If Petosiris wrote any books on astrology, however, they have not been found. The earliest Egyptian authority on astrology whose works is available today and actually forms the basis on which modern astrology is practiced in the Western world was Claudius Ptolemy. Ptolemy was born at Pelusium in Egypt, about 70 CE, and attended the school of Alexandria. His Tetrabilos is the source of many of the errors, which have been perpetuated in the modern systems.

More for the Agnostic or Atheist

The earliest records of astrology date back to the Babylonian Empire in the 19th century BCE, when people were attempting to correlate events like famine and war with other events they observed in the skies. At one time historians and archaeologists believed that all astrological systems originated in Babylon; but that theory was discarded because of the separate astrology has believed it, which existed among the Mayans and Aztecs. http://atheism.about.com/library/FAQs/skepticism/blfaq_astro_history.htm

Astrology in Babylon did not exist as its own discipline, as it tends to today in the West. Instead, astrology was an integral part of the Babylonian polytheistic (many Gods) religion. This was a time when people believed that our planet was the center of the universe and all the stars and planets revolved around us. This leads to interesting questions regarding the origins of the assumptions about various astrological signs, as described by astrologer Prudence Jones in the Astrological Journal in 1996: Would Venus still bring experiences of love, beauty and pleasure to our horoscopes if it were called "Saturn"? Would Mars still make us decisive if it were called "Neptune"? That is, are the significances of the planets based on dispassionate observation of their effects, or on dogmatic symbolism, which forces our observations to conform to our expectations?
I underlined this last sentence thinking of the many times I saw things the way I wanted, not the way they were. Remember the world according to Ron, where I was the center of the universe. Where I had power to place blame, determine fate, call the shots. Seems like throughout history some people have given that same power to the stars and other objects. I wonder if they knew it was they themselves who where giving that power away. I’ve never believed that the stars have any kind of influence on anything but and pretty sky. However, to me, it is amazing how power of faith and belief in astrology and stars has effected decision making in humanity throughout the ages. Another interesting observation I’ve made is “dogma” spelled backwards is “am – God”.


History of Tarot Cards
The Tarot (or Tarot Card Deck) consists of 78 cards, have been used for fortune telling for centuries. There is much controversy as to the official history of the tarot. Some say a medieval version of the cards dates back to the early 1400s. Because of the Italian-looking imagery found in the cards, some say they have an Italian origin. http://ct.essortment.com Others say the cards came from China or Egypt. In addition, of course, the Gypsies, long associated with the art of fortune telling. The Gypsies are said to have had a hand in the creation, if not the popularity of the cards. The mystery is further stirred when the correspondence of the cards with Cabbalistic or Kabalistic philosophy is considered. Although, agreement of the history and origin of the cards is not known, we can agree that the tarot cards are a very popular mysterious oracle.
The tarot deck is comprised of 78 cards: 22 major arcana and 56 minor arcana. The 22 major arcana cards are supposed to depict a journey through one's life, which originates with the Fool card and ends with a card called The World. Although mystics have called this the road through life, some clergy have said the cards were the road to hell and the devil. The Devil is a card in the major arcane, but it depicts enslavement, addiction and misdirection rather than Satan. Another widely misunderstood card is the famous Death card, which does not mean death of the physical body, but merely change and transformation of some kind. The fool card is the predecessor of the Joker cards we discard before shuffling most decks for a game.
You no longer have to visit a gypsy tent to get a tarot reading and you no longer have to duck into an “occult” shop to purchase a deck for yourself. There are many decks available, from the “mainstream’’ Rider-Waite deck, which evolved in the early 1900s to tarot cards with woodland images for Pagans, feline images for Cat lovers, as well as pictures of beautiful lands both real and imagined. The decks come with complete instructions and meanings for all of the cards, so the true mystery of the tarot can be as easy as trying it for yourself, if you’re game. I never have, but I always enjoy a good game of poker. Still I believe I’m going to win, not lose. That would be my intention anyway.


Spiritualism- Science, philosophy or religion? http://www.religioustolerance

Through my research and interview with Nev, I have discovered that spiritualism is considered both a science and a religion. It's a scientific fact that energy leaves your body when you die. We call that energy a spirit or soul. We cannot see them because energy moves at a different frequency. This to me makes it a science. What makes it a religion is the information received from those on the "other side". They prove repeatedly that they exist. There is a place of eternal life after our short visit on this earth. Who am I to say differently?



What is a medium?
A medium is one who is believed to have the ability to channel information from those that have crossed over to people that are living. Some can hear them, some can see them. A medium is not a fortuneteller...A fortuneteller reads your cards or your palm. A medium is a messenger. A medium is one that spirit chooses to communicate to so that they can relate the message to those who need to hear it. People have claimed that they have had information passed to them that no one else would know except the person who has crossed over or have died. I’ve heard and read about this type of thing but never had any real experience with it. But I feel I should keep an open mind. Hey, dying can’t be all that bad, no one’s ever came back to complain! At least not to me anyway.

Are there spiritual healers?

Nev has explained to me that there are different types of spiritual healers. Some heal with their hands, they can allow good energy to travel through them and into the person, they are healing. You can feel where their hands are without seeing because you can feel the energy vibrating from their hands. Some heal with their words and bring comfort to those who need it. Healing isn't always related to a disease. Healing is also about learning acceptance for situations that life has handed you. I’m thinking that if this was the case why do we need medicine, or doctors or hospitals!
Is there a spirit world?

If I believe in heaven, then I believe in a spirit world. Some call them angels, ghost or spirits. I like ghosts! Nev says it's all the same, just different words to describe the same energy that leaves your body when your time on earth is up.
Here, again, a real faith and belief are the real active element. However, I really don’t know.
Well, there you have it. It is certainly a lot of information to ingest. I thank you for your patience. What I found, as I have mentioned time and again through out this whole paper, is that no matter if it Christianity, the New age Movement or Spiritualism, the elements required to accomplish the desired results is faith and an honest belief that it works. I guess you could say, and I mean no disrespect, like the placebo effect! In addition, I will add that the power of intention is tremendous. Example: If it is my sincere intention, to pass this composition course (eng-101 jgoldfine.) linked with the work I’ve put into it so far and the faith and belief that my instructor will accept it. Then I probably will!






What’s next?


After examining and ingesting all of the information I uncovered, I am satisfied with the results. It was good character check! My principles and beliefs, having been reinforced by exploring this topic. I intent to continue: To have faith in what I believe; To try to make choices based on principles instead of desires, praying for the wisdom to know the difference; Treat others as I would like to be treated; To understand I already have all I need for success within me. Only if I can stay out of my own way.
Alternatively, I could only go out on nights when the stars are out, with a Bible, a hand full off rocks and a deck of cards. Just as long as I believe that’s what works, it probably will!