One place to start is by considering (meditating?) on the many, many names for “god” that have been used through the ages and through the evolution of human beings and their various religions, spiritual practices and insights. Here are a couple of links which provide enormous lists of names:
http://www.lowchensaustralia.com/names/gods.htm
This one is a long list, actually a list of lists, from a very unusual web source. There are good links here too. Explore and enjoy!
http://ldolphin.org/Names.html
This one is based on names used in the Judeo/Christian Bible; it seems well researched and not too overwhelmingly evangelical.
As an exercise go through some of these lists and pronounce, out loud, the names of gods and goddesses. Can you find commonalities? How would you characterize and categorize these names? How do you feel when you read these names and the descriptions of these deities. Trace names through different cultures. How do these names show up in our 21st century cultures?
And, by the way, this is not a required exercise or “homework”! Our discussion may take an entirely different track on Monday.
Blessings!
Wisdom Connections 
May 6, 2009 at 5:36 pm
I’ve thought a lot and meditated on the conversation we had Monday. I am willing to accept just about anyone’s idea of “God,” or Source, as long as they don’t start telling me or anyone else that they have the direct line to the Truth.
My belief is that there are many unseen things and forces that we don’t understand, and may never understand. No one know why gravity works; we can observe it, and measure it, but we still don’t know why it operates in the way it does. Our science has been a long story of belief in one “truth,” which is then supplanted by a more current “truth.” The history of physics is a perfect example of scientifically “proven truth” which is challenged by more sophisticated means of meaurement, and by different assumptions. I believe in science and its applications; I just don’t think they’re the whole story.
I have come to peace with the not understanding, the not knowing. I’m not sure it’s possible for us, as humans, to grasp with our physical minds the workings of that which encompasses us and all things. That is not to say that we should not look for experiences beyond our physical, observable reality, only that “understanding” may not be the vehicle through which we come to these experiences. I have, in the past, asked for signs of the existence of something beyond ourselves, and I have been granted them, in the moment, exactly as I asked. That is what I meant when I spoke of “grace” in the first meeting–the allowing of experience without holding to control or effort, the great favor of being granted something without one making it happen.
Here’s the important point: what I’ve just stated is a belief, not something I know. It’s when humans begin to see themselves as possessing Truth that trouble starts–for everyone else. Humans are not good with ambiguity, at least so far, but towards uncertainty is where we must go, to see the god in others who are not like ourselves, and who have different beliefs. As long as we stay clear that what we believe is not the Truth, but one of many truths, we can resist the temptation to make others wrong, or at least forgive ourselves for the judgements of our human minds and choose differently.
May 9, 2009 at 12:44 am
That’s a great idea, Rosemary; thanks!!
May 6, 2009 at 9:20 am
Greetings and Glad tidings for ONE and ALL!!!!!
Neale Donald Walsh is perfect today. I’m including it below in case you do not receive these.
“On this day of your life, dear friend I believe God wants you to know…
…that words may help you understand something, but
experience allows you to know.
Never, ever trade your own experience for someone
else’s words about anything that is really important.
Like God, for instance. Or love. Or what is true
about another.
This is a simple awareness, but it comes to you today
at exactly the right time. If you think about why, you
will know.”
Blessings for a delightful day!!!!!!!!!
Linda
May 6, 2009 at 12:49 am
Hi everyone!! I really enjoyed our conversations and discussions last night. We created a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere and dinner was delicious!!!!!!!!!!
I mentioned some movies and books that I have enjoyed along my spiritual journey. I’m listing them here that you may find one or some of these useful along your journey, as well.
Movies:
Ground Hog Day
What the Bleep Do We Know?
Books:
Malcolm Gladwell – Blink
David Bohm – Wholeness and the Implicate Order
Paul Allen Wolf – Taking the Quantum Leap
Jed McKenna – Spiritual Enlightenment: The Damnedest
Thing
Spiritually Incorrect Enlightenment
Robert Adams – Silence of the Heart
Joel Goldsmith – Thunder of Silence
Eckhart Tolle – The Power of NOW
A New Earth
Gary Renard – Disappearance of the Universe
Byron Katie – Loving What Is
Esther & Jerry Hicks – Ask and it is Given
Deepak Chopra – The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success