The Sunday Mail
Last week I began the first of a two-part series in which I tried to address whether or not the essence of the divine was an external or internal reality.
As a refresher, let’s just go through the key terms again.
“Essence” I defined as something which is enduring, eternal and infinite. It is the ultimate reality and sometimes referred too as “the Absolute”.
As an external reality, the Divine is perceived as an invisible Supreme Being with anthropological or humanoid attributes having a separate place to live in the outer space who harshly punishes and kindly rewards.
However, as an internalist reality, the Divine is perceived as an impersonal, sexless, formless, eternal and infinite cosmic force or energy.
In simpler terms it is omnipresent, omniscient and omnipotent.
In each individual, it is the collective “consciousness, intelligence and creativity” and thus the final or grand court of appeal for a human being’s punishment or reward.
The internalist journey of re-connection (called religion) with the cosmic force or energy (Genesis 1:27; 2:7), is the discovery, awakening and to externally actualise the individualised grand powers of human agency —reasoning, discernment and causation.
The cosmic force or energy does not reside in an organisation, building or public sphere; but very deep within our hearts awaiting effortful discovery by our minds.
The cosmic force or energy is thus considered the life’s “First Cause” and “Sustaining Cause”.
“Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for behold the kingdom of (the Divine) is within you.” — Luke 17:21 as based on Genesis 1:27; 2:7 and Psalm 82:6.
This perspective and approach sees the Divine as part of and within a human being and the universe.
The expression ‘the Divine’ is just a signpost or metaphor for the impersonal formless, infinite and eternal cosmic force or energy in us.
“Humanity’s status is determined by the quality of its thinking. Quality, as applied to mental processes, is not necessarily intensity but rather refinement and delicacy.
“Unless the inner nature transcends the limitations of both the flesh and the mind, the Self can never attain to a full measure of expression.
“Whether a human being be beastly or (divinely) does not depend upon his outward appearance but rather upon the clarity of his inner perceptions. Many of the most respected citizens of every community are actually ravaging beasts concealing their primitive instincts under a thin veneer of culture.
“On the other hand, some whom the world regards as failures possess an innate beauty, which elevates them far above the level of their fellows. (Manley Palmer Hall, “Lectures on Ancient Philosophy: An Introduction to Practical Ideals”, 1929).
We do not have to search for (the life sustaining cosmic force or energy), because the presence of the Divine permeates all things.
The closest we can come to thinking about the cosmic force or energy is as a process rather than a being.
As long as we relate to the cosmic force as Father and we as children, we sustain the dysfunctional model in which Father knows best.
We not only remain alienated with a sense of abandonment, we relinquish our personal sense of responsibility.
We think Father will take care of everything. (These were texts from Rabbi David A Cooper’s “God is a Verb: The Nature of God”, Riverhead Books, 1997).
Therefore the internalist perspective is that Divine is considered as an infinite, immortal, sexless and eternal breath of life found within and around humanity in particular as a cosmic consciousness, intelligence and creativity, and needing no human supplication or attention.
The Divine is within and around us as an immanent Life Force.
In ancient Egypt, this single cosmic power was unrepresented except for its creative energies or causal attributes and functions called “neteru”.
The single and universal Life Force is “Prana” in Sanskrit and “Chi/Qi” in Chinese, “Ki” in Japanese, “Pneuma” in Greek, “Great Spirit” by Native Americans, “Shekinah” in Hebrew, “Spirit” in Christian theology (Breath of Life, Genesis 1:3, 2:7), “Energy” in science and “Cosmic Energy” in metaphysics.
The word “spirit” is derived from Latin “spiritus”, and it means “breath”.
This is the vital energy and active principle found within and around all living things.
It is pulsating and permeating within and around everything as it throbs in intense rhythmic motion so that every life experience is about its manifestation.
The Internalist Divine needs only be actuated in our lives as the greatest and highest Good, Truth and Beauty.
Being religious is not a way of dealing with pain, uncertainties, hardships and tragedies of life. It is about allowing one to possess a grounded centre “connected with issues of confidence, power, will, trust, support, and equanimity”.
Shingai Rukwata Ndoro finds time to freely read, reflect and is involved in life coaching. For feedback, contact him at [email protected], and read more of his writings on www.shingaindoro.blogspot.com.
