The Nature of Human Piety
May 18, 2008
By Sassy

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"There is a world of difference between learning to repeat "God is an omnipotent Being," and learning to address oneself straight to God and say: 'Thou art my rock."

I cannot say that I am a firm believer in an individual all powerful being and creator. Even so, the value of theology and philosophy does not escape me. It is folly to imagine that reality ends at us and the material world we can perceive. Intellectual and spiritual pursuit is an expression of our celestial nature. Honest devotion to the quest is life altering and imperative to the evolution of human consciousness.

An eager student of the soul I actively seek out those on the same path, hoping to learn through conversation and debate. All too often I encounter disciples who seek the comfort of familiarity and rigid rules to ensure righteousness. The true nature of piety lies in honest challenges to our understanding and the ability to be a positive creative force in the world. It is finding strength and divinity within ourselves, breeding internal peace and spreading it in the external world.

We should not be seeking to appease God and buy a ticket to eternal bliss through memorizing and enforcing single quotes from holy books. The vast resources of our collective past, nature, and creativity are available so that we might create heaven on earth for every man, woman and child through honor, love, acceptance and healing. No book can ever be the only truth, only one vehicle amongst many.

What Draws You?
Rumi

There are two types on the path, those
Who come against their will, the blindly religious
and those who obey out of love.

The former have ulterior motives.
They want the midwife near because she gives them milk.
The others love the beauty of the nurse.

The former memorize the prooftexts of conformity
and repeat them. The latter disappear
into whatever draws them to God.