Man’s search for the Divine and his longing for meaning and oneness have been expressed in both civil as well as spiritual life. In many ways we cannot separate one from the other, even though some people mandate the separation of church and state. Whole cultures have been built around spiritual founders who have influenced all aspects of life. The general definition for Divinity is the study of religion or the quality of being divine.
“It is in our lives and not our words that our religion must be read.”
~ Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) Religions
There are many religions and infinite belief systems among the world population. Traditionally, religions were the vehicle for people to gather around to worship God. The meaning of religion is, according to the Webster’s New World Dictionary:
Latin - relegio – reverence for the gods, holiness;
Latin - religare – to bind together or to reconnect.
Most religions have a belief in the divine as a superhuman power to be obeyed and worshiped as the creator and ruler of the universe; or any specific system of belief, worship, or conduct.
Let’s take a look at some of the major religions:
Christianity – is a monotheistic faith formed on the basis of the life and teachings of Jesus. His teachings have been accounted for in the New Testament of the bible. After only 3 years of public ministry, he was able to lay a foundation of spiritual salvation through his sacrifice on the cross.
Judaism – is a teaching which has been handed down through the Old Testament based on the traditions of Abraham and his tribes. Isaac who was one of Abraham’s sons, had a son name Jacob who became the father of the Israelites. Followers of Judaism believe in one God and follow the Ten Commandments.
“We cannot teach people anything; we can only help them to discover it within themselves.”
GalileoGalilei (1564-1642), Italian physicist, mathematician, astronomer, and philosopher.
Confucianism – is a teaching based on the philosophy of Confucius who lived in China during 6th century before Christ. It includes principles of morality and cultural values.
“It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.” ~ Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Buddhism – originated with Buddha in India during the 6th century BC. Buddha taught self-discovery and to overcome suffering (the four noble truth). Buddhists don’t believe in a personal God.
Hinduism - Hindus believe in one creative Force, Brahma, and many smaller deities. Their main belief is reincarnation, which is to carry out karma.
Divinity
In our search of divinity, looking into different religions may not be enough. I like to share a short story which has its origin in a Hindu legend:
There is a Hindu legend about a time when all humans were gods, but they abused that divinity. They so abused it that Brahma, the chief god, decided to take it away from them and hide it where they would never find it again.
Where to hide it, became the big question. The lesser gods were called into council to consider this question: “Where shall we hide humanity’s divinity?” The council said, “We will bury humanity’s divinity deep in the earth,” but Brahma said, “No that will not do; one day they will dig down deep into the earth and will find it.”
Then they said, “We will sink their divinity into the deepest ocean.” Again Brahma replied, “No, not there, for they will learn to dive into the deepest waters, and search the ocean bed and find it.”
Then the lesser gods said, “We will take it to the top of the highest mountain and hide it there.” But again Brahma replied, “No, for eventually humans will climb every high mountain on earth; they will be sure some day to find it and take it up again.”
Then the lesser gods gave up and concluded, “We do not know where to hide it, for it seems there is no place on the earth or in the sea that humans will not eventually reach.” Then Brahma said, “Here is what we will do with humanity’s divinity. “We will hide it deep down in humans themselves; they will never think to look for it there.”
Ever since then, the legend concludes, humans have been going to and fro throughout the earth, climbing, digging, diving, exploring, and searching for something already within themselves. The divinity within humanity is still the best-kept secret of the ages.
I like this story because it shows us that we have what we are looking for already within us. From my understanding the definition of divinity is the capacity to give and receive love. Divinity describes our original true nature and our God-given potential for fulfillment and happiness.
I used to think that life is a journey with the destination of being “perfect.” I understand now that it is in journey itself where we experience life and in the “being-ness” which is the present moment; kind of like “acting as if.” It is in the process of everyday experiences that we realize our DIVINITY. We don’t have to look for it, rather we have to unearth our true original heart and mind by emulating the one God has send during this time.
Religions have provided a framework and community for the practices of loving and serving others. The religions which have emulated God’s principles and practiced a sacrificial life have survived for thousands of years.
The common questions all people are asking:Who am I?
Why am I here?
How can I be happy?
How can I understand and fulfill my full potential?
“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found, and hid. In his joy, he goes and sells all that he has, and buys that field.”
~ Matthew 13:44
In our desire to uncover our divinity we cannot stop until we feel and experience the love of God in everyday life. The power of love video gives you a glimpse of how to discover it:
God is our Heavenly parent, the father and mother who has only our best interest in mind. They created us in their own image, male and female they created us (Gen. 1:26). Throughout history (God’s story), God has been searching for a man and a woman who can represent them here on earth. All of the major faiths have been started by a single man. What we need is the example of parents, the representation of a father and a mother here on earth. Could it be that the predictions of the coming of a Messiah, return of Christ, Avatar, or modern day prophet which the above mentioned religions are waiting for, appear in form of parents, truly representing God’s masculinity and femininity here on earth? That sounds to me like a good reason to start a “NEW Age” and the blueprint for a great family.
For the past 39 years I have been studying and living according to the teaching of the Rev. Sun Myung Moon and his wife Hak Ja Han Moon. In their teaching I have found my own divinity and how to build a wonderful, healthy family.
“Why do we seek justification by faith, justification by works, and justification through attendance? Without being justified you cannot distinguish between good and evil. The evil world and the world of goodness would not be separated. What is the standard of righteousness? It is God. What God believes, how He works and attends is the standard. Why is that so? Satan cannot accuse righteous people who resemble God. If you create an environment in which God's faith, works, and standard of attendance lives through you, then Satan cannot intervene. Even if you are within the satanic realm, if a righteous standard is created that enables you to be with God in such an environment, Satan will withdraw from there.”
~ Rev. Sun Myung Moon sermon from 2-15-1987
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