The Source – Part 2

Some seek to impose a form on this divine essence
through the creation of dogma and religion
Others transcend all religious dogma
and relate to this essence directly


We are all connected
to that mystical primordial source
which underlies and transcends
all time and space

It floods the consciousness
lifting it to a dimension
that lies beyond
thought and language

We are all connected to that source
for there is a fundamental unity
of everything in the cosmos
of which we are merely a part


The Source, which is the essence, underlies all religions. Religion, with its belief system involving concepts, is a form. It seeks to conceptualize the source in thought, words and language but this is impossible since the source, the essence, cannot be conceptualized. It is beyond all concepts. It can only be apprehended directly through experience.
In the attempt to conceptualize the source, different groups have come up with different conceptualizations. This has given rise to different religions, which are just various forms that seek to express the same essence or source. In this regard, all religions, including those of indigenous and “so-called” primitive peoples are valid forms that seek to express the same source or essence.
The problem with religion comes about when one religion claims that it alone is right and the others are wrong, or that it is better than the rest. Such a religion may seek to impose itself, overtly or covertly, on others. This may be done in genuine sincerity, since such persons believe that this is justifiable, in accordance with the teachings of their religion. Many wars have been fought, claiming many lives, in the name of religion.
Although there may be some differences in the teachings of the various religions, at the core, the moralistic perspective is similar. Do not kill other persons or steal from them, etc.. This is nicely encapsulated in the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”.
This is not meant to downplay the psychological security persons obtain from their belief in the teachings of a paricular religion. However, this does not establish that that religion is the so called “true path” and the others are wrong as some persons would like to think. How do we know that persons who believe just as sincerely in the teachings of another religion do not obtain a similar sense of psychological security, or even deeper, in their religious beliefs? We can only speak for ourselves despite what “our” religion may teach. Remember, the persons who believe in that other religion may just as easily claim that their religion is the “true path” on the basis of the psychological security it gives them.
Having sincere faith or belief in something, which may provide psychological security, does not necessarily make that something absolutely true. The security comes not from the object of one's belief but from the “act of belief” itself in the teachings of a religion, whatever that religion may be.
With all the uncertainties of life that we face, having an anchor that provides a sense of psychological security can be an important coping mechanism. So if you believe in the teachings of Christianity, Islam, Hinduism or any other religion and it gives you a sense of psychological security to cope with your daily life, then by all means continue to do so. But please respect the religious beliefs of others that may differ from yours.
I fully support the role religion plays as a coping mechanism but that does confer on it the status of “absolute truth”, whichever religion it is, as some may claim.