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Welcome to OneLife Ministries. This site is designed to lead you prayerfully into a heart experience of Divine Presence, Who is Love. I hope persons of varied wisdom paths will find inspiration here.
Blessings,
Brian Kenneth Wilcox
MDiv, MFT, PhD
Interspiritual Teacher, Author
You are invited to join Brian at his fellowship group on Facebook - OneLife Ministries – A Contemplative Interspiritual Fellowship.
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Nasrudin was throwing handfuls of crumbs around his house.
“What are you doing?” someone asked him.
“Keeping the tigers away.”
“But there are no tigers in these parts.”
“That's right. Effective, isn't it.”
*Idries Shah. The Exploits of the Incomparable Mulla Nasrudin.
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The line between genuine religion and spirituality, and superstition is not always clear. At core, superstition is an irrational belief. One thinks something – like an object, action, situation – is logically in a cause-effect relationship with an outcome. More broadly, superstition can mean any unfounded belief.
The problem, again, is what is and is not superstition. Is believing a priest consecrating elements effective to turn wine and bread into the body and blood of Jesus superstition? Catholics and Orthodox Christians would say this is exactly what happens. Most other Christians would see such as superstition. Indeed, according to popular perception of natural law and common sense, the Eucharist as the real body and blood of Jesus is superstition. But, again, what appears logical can be illogical, and what appears illogical can be logical. I present this case to amplify the challenge of religion and spirituality, and superstition, not to state my belief on this matter of Eucharist.
Much religion and spirituality borders on superstition. Possibly, they are intertwined, due to the nature of both. Yet, as we mature, we will see more the disadvantage of seeking to distort truth into apparent truth and utilization of sacred arts for selfish and magical purposes.
Anyway, truth and propriety can not be reduced to simply what is effective. And what I believe is not in itself the final arbiter of right or wrong, appropriate or inappropriate, wise or unwise.
©Brian Wilcox, and OneLife Ministries. 03/21/2010
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*OneLife Ministries is a ministry of Brian Kenneth Wilcox, SW Florida. Brian lives a vowed life and with his two dogs, Bandit Ty and St. Francis. Brian is a member of United Communities of Spirit: A Global Interfaith Initiative, for advancing the cause of understanding and peace among persons of different faiths and beliefs. OneLife Ministries seek to share this spirit of unity among all peoples of faith and humanity as a whole.
*Brian welcomes responses to his writings at briankwilcox@yahoo.com . Also, Brian is on Facebook: search Brian Kenneth Wilcox.
*You can order his book An Ache for Union from major booksellers.
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