An Evolution From Patriarchal to Mosiac Religion

Excerpted and adapted from two articles by Ralph K. Hawkins *

First, A Timeline Sketch

2000 BC——-—1700–1500–1300–1200--1000 BC

The ancient Patriarchal religion of Abraham was established somewhere between 2000 to 1500 BC.  

• The Israelites sojourn into Egypt occurred somewhere around 1700 BC.  

• Akhenaten reigned from 1353 to 1336 BC. 

• The Exodus of Israel, led by Moses, occurred somewhere around 1446 to 1224 BC.  

• The collapse of the Bronze Age occurred somewhere around 1170 BC.

There is an observable evolution from Abraham’s Patriarchal religion, to his sojourn through the Fertile Crescent to Canaan circa 2000 BC to the sojourn of the Israelites into Egypt circa 1700 BC. Circa 1350 BC the Pharaoh Akhenaten upended Pharaonic Egypt with their multiple nature gods and centered his life upon the conceptualization that is often attributed as monotheism. Following this the Exodus of Israel occurs between 1446 to 1224 BC, and the Bronze Age collapse occurred circa 1177 BC.

The Power of Human Connection in a Distracted World By: Kate Middleton

Author: Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales in collaboration with Professor Robert Waldinger.  From The Power of Human Connection in a Distracted World. Emphasis in bold is added.

What keeps us happy and healthy as we go through life? If you could invest in just one thing that would help you and your family thrive, where would you put your time and energy? 

These questions might seem simple, but their answers hold profound implications for how we live our lives and raise our children. Science gives us a surprisingly clear answer: the quality of our relationships matters more than almost anything else. 

Helping to Make "Sense" of it All

A sense refers to a biological system for gathering information from the world that allows living organisms to detect and respond to stimuli in their environment. There are five physical senses that are commonly referenced, but there are a total of fifteen, or even more, senses that humans have access to so that they may learn about, and organize their world for meaningful and useful interaction. 

For convenience this list highlights the five physical senses, five mental senses, and five spiritual senses. Some lists have as many as thirty-three senses listed. The physical senses that people are used to are listed as:

Of Elders and Druids

A tribal elder is a member of a tribal community, recognized for their accumulated wisdom, experience, and spiritual or cultural knowledge, not simply because of their age. 

Elders serve as vital knowledge-keepers, community leaders, and teachers who pass on traditional teachings and values often playing significant roles in spiritual practices and community decision-making. 

Elders are repositories of a community's history, traditions, spirituality, and practical knowledge providing guidance on important community decisions, serving as spiritual and moral leaders, embodying traditional principles and living by example. 

What is a Blog? What is a website? What’s the difference?

A blog is a regularly updated website or web page, typically one run by an individual or small group, that is written in an informal or conversational style.

A website is a collection of webpages that are accessed with a single domain name or URL. It includes all of the individual pages, multimedia details and files stored on a web server. 

The biggest difference is that a blog features dynamic, regularly updated content, arranged in reverse, chronological order, often in a conversational style, while a website has more static content on pages like “home” or “about us” that doesn’t change as frequently. 

A blog focuses on informing and engaging readers through articles and comments, whereas a website is typically structured around transactions or providing foundational information about a business or organization.

Tiring or Comfortable?

 

Spiritual Character Building: Love

Divine love is more than just a fleeting emotional feeling or romantic inclination.  It's a deep, abiding commitment rooted in Divine character, emphasizing action, sacrifice, and loyalty. 

Spiritual Love is unconditional; this selfless, sacrificial love is given freely without expecting anything in return. 

Spiritual Character Building: Brotherly Affection

Brotherly affection, often referred to as "brotherly love", is a deep, familial love and affection that should exist among those who are of the family of the Divine.

It is feeling such a love and respect for others that one considers almost everyone a "part of the family."  It's a reflection of Divine love and is characterized by compassion, care, and mutual support, mirroring the natural bond between siblings. 

Spiritual Character Building: Godliness

Godliness refers to a life that is pleasing to God, to the Divine. 

The Divine has standards characterized by a commitment to living according to divine wisdom and with reverence.  It involves both an inward devotion and an outward expression of that devotion through righteous behavior. 

Essentially, godliness is about being like the divine in thoughts, feelings, desires, and actions; a mighty tall order for mere humans.

Spiritual Character Building: Endurance

Spiritual self-endurance, often discussed alongside perseverance and patience, refers to the ability to withstand trials, hardships, and temptations while maintaining faith and integrity.  

It's about remaining steadfast in one's commitment to the divine and divine teachings through difficult circumstances.  Spiritual endurance is not merely enduring hardship.  

Spiritual Character Building: Self-control

Self-control, or temperance –the quality of moderation or self-restraint – is defined as the ability to restrain one's desires and impulses, mastering one's actions, thoughts, and emotions, especially in the face of temptation. 

This characteristic helps spiritually faithful to resist temptation and avoid harmful behaviors. It involves making conscious choices to align one's behavior with the divine's character. It extends to thoughts, feelings, and internal states. 

A Co-Creative Partnership Between Science and Nature

Have you ever wondered what allows us/humanity to come alive?

What if.... all the answers we could ever want were right here within our awareness?   How might this be possible? 

As I desired to know more.... I have been guided to understand and interact with the “unseen” world.  First.... through metaphysical books and spiritual authors/teachers and then through studies of mediumship (communicating between the seen and unseen worlds).  I have discovered through personal experience that there are many things that are not visible to our human eyes.

Spiritual Character Building: Knowledge

In a spiritual context, "knowledge" encompasses more than just factual information. It signifies a deep, experiential understanding of the divine, the divine's character, and the divine's guidance, often involving a personal relationship and adherence to that guidance. 

It's not merely conscious awareness, but also an experiential spiritual application of truth in daily life. This knowledge is often gained through personal experiences, meditation and prayer, and studying wisdom literature, history and scripture. It involves discernment, perception, and the ability to apply truth to life situations. For instance, knowing that a tomato is a fruit is knowledge, but wisdom dictates not putting it in a fruit salad. True knowledge involves understanding what to do with information.

A Dawning of New Living Potentials

It has now begun....  the sun is rising and revealing itself more and more.... the tides are turning and humanity is riding the waves and currents with ease; steadfast, strong, and confident in bringing forth the best of who we are.   Releasing the past and keeping the memories as signposts and flags of remembrance as to where we have been as well as guidance for a brighter future.       

We are learning the vastness of who we are and the value of our life experiences.  Resolving past conflicts with ourselves and with others is near and in our awareness now.... as we now can “see” the outer world scenarios that reflect our own inner turmoil.  

What now?  As we look around.... listen carefully.... and become aware of a deeper realm within us that calls us to forgive ourselves and others, decide a new direction, and choose methods, concepts, and skills that promote and perpetuate a healthy foundation built on Integrity, Truth, and Divine Love.

Spiritual Character Building: Goodness

Spiritual goodness signifies a moral quality of being virtuous, righteous, and benevolent, aligning with divine guidance and reflecting divine nature. It encompasses actions, intentions, and character that are considered praiseworthy and beneficial to others. Goodness is also seen as a fruit of the Spirit.  It is a characteristic that spiritual believers are called to cultivate and exhibit in their lives as one would cultivate other fruits.

Goodness is a core attribute of the divine, reflecting a character of love, kindness, and generosity.  But spiritual goodness goes beyond simply feel good emotions or presenting an image of goodness to the world; it involves actively choosing and doing what is right, both in terms of behavior and character.  

 

Spiritual Character Building: Faith

The Apostle Peter, in the biblical book of 2 Peter, lists eight characteristics of Spiritual character. 

Using AI, the following spiritual definitions and characteristics are explained and expounded for your consideration.

All eight characteristics will be shared over the coming weeks and will be linked together for your reference.

An Introduction to the Life and Teaching of the Masters of the Far East

The book series Life and Teaching of the Masters of the Far East was written by Baird T. Spalding about an expedition of scientists who travel to India and Tibet in 1894 to observe and interact with the "Great Masters" of the Himalayas. In 1894, India was under the direct rule of the British Crown. 

The term "Great Master" typically refers to someone who has achieved exceptional skill or mastery in a particular field, especially in the arts or spiritual pursuits.  It can also denote a revered figure, like a spiritual teacher, or to a work of art considered to be a masterpiece.  

Understanding Your Energetic Self

 

Characteristics ~ Emotions / Behaviors ~ Beliefs ~ Energy

The following information will assist you in becoming familiar with each chakra system according to their functions, emotions and behavior patterns.  Taking time to contemplate the questions associated with each chakra will enhance your connections, communications, and relationships in all areas of your life. 

 

Rabbit Trails of Light, Part 2

In my original article Rabbit Trails of Light I presented the foundational blocks of energy so far as science has learned about them.  Here in part 2 I want to present to you a sketch of an understanding of A tree of life that may help to comprehend how some of these rabbit trails stitch together. 

A diagram at the end may help to pull it all together.

So lets start at the beginning.  Many are familiar that Genesis 1:1 says, in part, "In the beginning, God...."  From this viewpoint God existed before ANY of the universe existed.

 

Science is currently somewhat in favor of the "Big Bang Theory" which holds that the universe as we know it, ALL of its energy and matter, was compressed into a single point of energy; a singularity.  

Genesis 1:1 concludes that from this single point of energy was brought forth into existence everything that is.  God is in that single point of energy and everything that is came forth from this single dimensional point of energy.

Therefore, as we begin this investigation of A Tree of Life, at the very top of the tree, or even above the top of the tree shedding light onto it, is the first principle:

A Sailing Ship Analogy

“Spirit” is an energy that moves throughout the universe.  It is an energetic animating and moving force much as the wind on the Earth is an energetic and moving force.  

Referenced by many as the Divine, this “Shining” from the heavens (what the word divine references) is everywhere all at once, all the time, kind of like the atmosphere around our planet.

Each of us reading this is a “co-creator” with the divine and may utilize these energetic, animating, moving forces.  Like a sailing ship, we may use these forces to “sail” us through the life that we have chosen.