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the key, i believe, to living the lifestyle of water brotherhood - the nest - with the polyfidelity and casual nudity and even the money aspect is the recognition of GOD within you. without this component any such arrangement is doomed.
Here is Order of the Mithril Stars (mithrilstar.org) approach:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lesson 4-B: The Nature of Deity
Original by Adam Rostoker & Ellis Arseneau
Edited and Revised by AD Cerdiwen Seren-Ddaear & Ellis Arseneau
"Go out into the world and speak to that of God in every person."
~~ George Fox
"The world is ready for a mystic revolution, a discovery of the God in each of us."
~~ George Harrison
"Om purnam adah purnam idam, purnat purnam udacyate,
purnasya purnam adaya purnam eva vashistate."
"The One is always One, Each Part of the One is a Complete Whole,
Each part of
the Divine is also Perfect"
~~Sanskrit chant
"When did I realize I was God? Well, I was praying, and suddenly realized that
I was talking to myself."
~~Author Unknown
"Thou art God." ~~ Valentine Michael Smith
Keep that last statement in mind.
Religion is a method those of us on this plain use to relate to the deities. It's like software for cosmic relationships, and there are many different versions (or religions) for relating with different pantheons.
In "Stranger In A Strange Land," Michael makes it a point to acknowledge the divinity within each of us. As a Pagan paradigm, what is this? Is it Monotheism, Polytheism, Pantheism or something else? Or, is this a sort of Paganized Atheism? And anyway, aren't the Gods all "made up" anyway?
The truth is that it's "none of the above," and "all of the above."
In the Kabbalah, the ancient system of Jewish mysticism, it is taught that God is an ocean. Even though we think of there being different oceans, the Atlantic, Pacific, etc., when you view the earth from the South Pole, you realize that there is in fact only one ocean. The Kabbalah also teaches that each of us, though individuals, are droplets in that ocean. When part of the ocean, we act and think collectively, and this is where the big things like evolution and creation get done. But when we are a part from the ocean, we act selfishly in our own interests.
Some of you were fans of the television series, Star Trek Deep Space Nine. You will recall the race that really made the most trouble during the series - The Founders, of which Constable Odo was one. You may also recall Odo being returned to his planet of origin, where all the Founders were merged together in an "ocean" they called "the Great Link." It is this very idea that is at the heart and center of the Kabbalistic notion of God, and how we, as water brothers are also collectively "God," along with everyone else on this planet (and perhaps in the Universe) both alive now and passed on, and all the Gods and Goddesses of ancient times (and some modern ones).
To try to alleviate some of the confusion in all this, we've identified three classes of deity: The Archetypes, The Old Ones, and Us.
The Archetypes comprise all of the famous Gods and Goddesses of old. They are the heroes and heroines of myth and legend, who represent human attributes, desires and ideals. You know many of them from school: Zeus, Isis, Thor, Yahweh, Kwan Yin etc. (Pictured above, from left to right, are: The Triple Goddess - Maiden, Mother & Crone...Pan...Cernunnos)
Newer deities from modern literature have joined them as well: Celeborn, Galadriel, Elrond, Gandalf, and others from the Tolkein books are called upon by different groves from time to time, and I've even heard of folks who invoke Klingon deities.
For the most part, the archetypes are made up out of whole cloth. They are entirely fictional beings; inventions of the human psyche. They can have great power however, depending upon the number and intensity of belief of the people who believe in them. Belief in this case energizes these beings and makes them real and powerful.
A really good example is Asphalta, the parking place Goddess. Someone somewhere just made her up. A lot of people started praying to her, and it works. This made up Goddess will reserve you a parking place. It even works for me, and I know what she is! It can work for any deity. Try it -- make up a deity and start praying to her or him. Tell others about it. Pretty soon you'll have a cult following. This is guaranteed.
Among the old Reformed Druids, the following archetypal Gods are acknowledged: Dalon ap Landu, Bael and the Earth Mother, or as she is better known, "Nature." The Order of the Mithril Star adds one more: Sequoia. The Reformed Druids of Gaia have as their patron the Goddess Cywarch marth Dalon, who is the daughter of Dalon ap Landu and Sequoia. (Mythos of RDG and OMS deities)
The second class of deities, The Old Ones, consists of entities that have actually lived among humans. (Pictured above are, from top row: John Muir...Carl Jung...and from bottom row: John Lennon...Robert R. Heinlein...Gwydion Pendderwyn, first "official Bard" of CAW and forerunner of the Pagan Music movement).
One thing I like about the Celtic pantheon is that for the most part, it is composed of this class. The ancient Celts recognized the principle of "Thou art God/dess", and as heroes and leaders of the Celts passed on to the Summer Lands, they took on the title of God or Goddess. Lugh and Cernunnos are noted among these. Your own relatives; grandfathers and mothers, sisters and brothers, who have passed away, belong to this class. When you pass away, you will become a part of this group. These are the folks who are recognized at Samhain, channeled via Ouija boards or via scrying.
Now we come full circle, because the 3rd and highest class of deity is YOU. Thou art God/dess. You have the responsibility and you have the power. This is why it is solely in your discretion whether you'll cause harm or not. It's your life, your universe, your creation. You can't run from this responsibility. You can live in denial (most of the planet does), but look around: the rape, pillage and plunder of this planets ecosystem is the result of subservience to other deities.
We are the caretakers of the universe. It is we who are ultimately responsible for the way resources are used or abused. But we are basically good. Humankind is basically good. People who learn and accept their inherent divinity will not do harm. They will do good. It is only those who have been taught from day one that they are bad, that they need a big god standing over them with a club, who do harm, because they know no better path.
As Druids we have the responsibility of being "clergy at large" within the greater Pagan community. We acknowledge that Gaia is a living being, and that we, and all other humans living on Her, are not separate entities, but a part of her whole ecology, just as we are also all collectively "God." So we truly are "our brothers keeper." And if my brother is hungry, or sick, or without clothing, I too am impoverished. "Harm to one is harm to all." It's our charge then, as Druids, and as "self-aware deity", to work towards a just, peaceful and prosperous world.
There was once a Pagan music ensemble that wrote a vision, that really expresses the heart of Druidry and our mission as Druids, working for "for the good of all":
We want to live in a world that survives
On the planet of life with light in our lives
By the power of the Moon and the strength of the Sun
We are one on the Earth
We want a world where there is love for everybody
We want a world where there is no more war
We want a world where there is hope for everybody
We want a world that's better than before
Give us a world where ther's food for everybody
Water that's pure, the air is fresh and clean
We want a world that is good for everybody
We want a world where everyone is free
(Written by Gypsy, on the CD, "Enchantress")
As awakening Gods then, we may need some guidelines. I suggest the following, written by Oberon Zell, former Primate and founder of the Church of All Worlds, which we consider to be our sister organization:
No matter how we formulate our philosophy, the true test of our strength lies in our behavior; our ability to embody the principles we hold dear, and apply them in our daily lives to the building of relationships and community, the integrity of our actions, and the strength of character that inspires others to grow and transform the world around them. To these ends we advocate the following principles of behavior:
1. Be Excellent to Each Other! Thou art God/dess. To truly honor the Divinity within each other is to treat each other with respect, kindness, courtesy, and conscious consideration. This involves honest and responsible communication, including the avoidance of gossip and rumor-mongering, and the willingness to reach for understanding rather than judgment. Learn how to communicate in a positive, life-affirming way. We prefer to avoid us/them and either/or thinking, and to instead take an inclusive systems approach that sees the Divinity in all living things. To this end we also deplore coercive behavior that does not respect the free will of others. We prefer to lead, not by guilt or coercion, but by inspiration and example; not only to be excellent to each other, but to strive for excellence in all our endeavors, no matter how seemingly insignificant. Tribal values we hold include Loyalty, Generosity, Fairness and Hospitality.
As Gods, we can no longer cling to outmoded, archaic identity labels. These would include racial labels (like black, white, yellow, red), ethnic labels, (asian, African, Chinese, American etc., ) and even political labels (conservative, liberal, socialist, libertarian etc.). These labels may be useful to explain where we came from, but as Gods, we have transcended all these. We are Gods a separate and unique race, culture and politic.
2. Be Excellent to Yourself! Again: Thou art God/dess. Divinity resides within as well as without, so how you treat yourself is how you treat that Divinity. Self-abuse, whether through irresponsible use of substances, overwork, self-denial, self-deception, or simply running those tapes that undermine self-esteem, are all insults to the Divinity within. Treat yourself kindly, with compassion rather than judgment, and it will be easier to treat others that way. Take care of your body, home and possessions, as a piece of Gaia that has been entrusted to you. Be a conscious guardian to the Temple and the God/dess within.
3. Honor Diversity! In Nature a diverse ecosystem has more stability. There are many styles of living and ways of living, each of which has something to offer to the overall puzzle of life. Be open-minded and receptive to new ideas because this usually manifests in growth of the spirit and the mind. Learn about differences rather than judge them. Be willing to explore others creative abilities to manifest a sense of well-being and confidence in their own Divinity. Sexism, racism, or rude remarks directed towards others sexual preferences, body type or personal habits (insofar as they do not harm others) have no place in this community. All life is sacred.
Once again, we can honor our BACKGROUNDS, but who we once were is not who we are now.
4. Take Personal Responsibility! ("With great power comes great responsibility!") The necessary counterpart to individual freedom is the willingness to be personally responsible for all of our actions, and for our effects upon the planet. Only through the practice of personal responsibility can we become responsible collectively and live a life of freedom and maturity. We are not a religion of gurus, Mommies or Daddies who can tell you what to do. As a religion that respects equality, we must take equal responsibility for making things happen, preventing harm, or cleaning up mistakes. To this end we also advocate one of the principles taught in kindergarten: Clean up your mess!
5. Walk Your Talk! (and, talk your walk!) Talk is cheap. It is fine and well to proclaim to be a feminist or environmentalist, to preach heady Pagan gospel, or to play holier than thou. It is only in practice that words become Truth, and change becomes manifest. But do not be afraid to fail, for in order to grow, our reach must exceed our grasp, and it is through failing that we learn.
Yet another way of saying all this, briefly and succinctly, is:
"'Thou art God/dess.' It's not a message of cheer and hope.
It's a defiance and an unafraid unabashed assumption of personal responsibility."
~~Mike to Jubal, SIASL by Robert A. Heinlein
Here is Order of the Mithril Stars (mithrilstar.org) approach:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lesson 4-B: The Nature of Deity
Original by Adam Rostoker & Ellis Arseneau
Edited and Revised by AD Cerdiwen Seren-Ddaear & Ellis Arseneau
"Go out into the world and speak to that of God in every person."
~~ George Fox
"The world is ready for a mystic revolution, a discovery of the God in each of us."
~~ George Harrison
"Om purnam adah purnam idam, purnat purnam udacyate,
purnasya purnam adaya purnam eva vashistate."
"The One is always One, Each Part of the One is a Complete Whole,
Each part of
the Divine is also Perfect"
~~Sanskrit chant
"When did I realize I was God? Well, I was praying, and suddenly realized that
I was talking to myself."
~~Author Unknown
"Thou art God." ~~ Valentine Michael Smith
Keep that last statement in mind.
Religion is a method those of us on this plain use to relate to the deities. It's like software for cosmic relationships, and there are many different versions (or religions) for relating with different pantheons.
In "Stranger In A Strange Land," Michael makes it a point to acknowledge the divinity within each of us. As a Pagan paradigm, what is this? Is it Monotheism, Polytheism, Pantheism or something else? Or, is this a sort of Paganized Atheism? And anyway, aren't the Gods all "made up" anyway?
The truth is that it's "none of the above," and "all of the above."
In the Kabbalah, the ancient system of Jewish mysticism, it is taught that God is an ocean. Even though we think of there being different oceans, the Atlantic, Pacific, etc., when you view the earth from the South Pole, you realize that there is in fact only one ocean. The Kabbalah also teaches that each of us, though individuals, are droplets in that ocean. When part of the ocean, we act and think collectively, and this is where the big things like evolution and creation get done. But when we are a part from the ocean, we act selfishly in our own interests.
Some of you were fans of the television series, Star Trek Deep Space Nine. You will recall the race that really made the most trouble during the series - The Founders, of which Constable Odo was one. You may also recall Odo being returned to his planet of origin, where all the Founders were merged together in an "ocean" they called "the Great Link." It is this very idea that is at the heart and center of the Kabbalistic notion of God, and how we, as water brothers are also collectively "God," along with everyone else on this planet (and perhaps in the Universe) both alive now and passed on, and all the Gods and Goddesses of ancient times (and some modern ones).
To try to alleviate some of the confusion in all this, we've identified three classes of deity: The Archetypes, The Old Ones, and Us.
The Archetypes comprise all of the famous Gods and Goddesses of old. They are the heroes and heroines of myth and legend, who represent human attributes, desires and ideals. You know many of them from school: Zeus, Isis, Thor, Yahweh, Kwan Yin etc. (Pictured above, from left to right, are: The Triple Goddess - Maiden, Mother & Crone...Pan...Cernunnos)
Newer deities from modern literature have joined them as well: Celeborn, Galadriel, Elrond, Gandalf, and others from the Tolkein books are called upon by different groves from time to time, and I've even heard of folks who invoke Klingon deities.
For the most part, the archetypes are made up out of whole cloth. They are entirely fictional beings; inventions of the human psyche. They can have great power however, depending upon the number and intensity of belief of the people who believe in them. Belief in this case energizes these beings and makes them real and powerful.
A really good example is Asphalta, the parking place Goddess. Someone somewhere just made her up. A lot of people started praying to her, and it works. This made up Goddess will reserve you a parking place. It even works for me, and I know what she is! It can work for any deity. Try it -- make up a deity and start praying to her or him. Tell others about it. Pretty soon you'll have a cult following. This is guaranteed.
Among the old Reformed Druids, the following archetypal Gods are acknowledged: Dalon ap Landu, Bael and the Earth Mother, or as she is better known, "Nature." The Order of the Mithril Star adds one more: Sequoia. The Reformed Druids of Gaia have as their patron the Goddess Cywarch marth Dalon, who is the daughter of Dalon ap Landu and Sequoia. (Mythos of RDG and OMS deities)
The second class of deities, The Old Ones, consists of entities that have actually lived among humans. (Pictured above are, from top row: John Muir...Carl Jung...and from bottom row: John Lennon...Robert R. Heinlein...Gwydion Pendderwyn, first "official Bard" of CAW and forerunner of the Pagan Music movement).
One thing I like about the Celtic pantheon is that for the most part, it is composed of this class. The ancient Celts recognized the principle of "Thou art God/dess", and as heroes and leaders of the Celts passed on to the Summer Lands, they took on the title of God or Goddess. Lugh and Cernunnos are noted among these. Your own relatives; grandfathers and mothers, sisters and brothers, who have passed away, belong to this class. When you pass away, you will become a part of this group. These are the folks who are recognized at Samhain, channeled via Ouija boards or via scrying.
Now we come full circle, because the 3rd and highest class of deity is YOU. Thou art God/dess. You have the responsibility and you have the power. This is why it is solely in your discretion whether you'll cause harm or not. It's your life, your universe, your creation. You can't run from this responsibility. You can live in denial (most of the planet does), but look around: the rape, pillage and plunder of this planets ecosystem is the result of subservience to other deities.
We are the caretakers of the universe. It is we who are ultimately responsible for the way resources are used or abused. But we are basically good. Humankind is basically good. People who learn and accept their inherent divinity will not do harm. They will do good. It is only those who have been taught from day one that they are bad, that they need a big god standing over them with a club, who do harm, because they know no better path.
As Druids we have the responsibility of being "clergy at large" within the greater Pagan community. We acknowledge that Gaia is a living being, and that we, and all other humans living on Her, are not separate entities, but a part of her whole ecology, just as we are also all collectively "God." So we truly are "our brothers keeper." And if my brother is hungry, or sick, or without clothing, I too am impoverished. "Harm to one is harm to all." It's our charge then, as Druids, and as "self-aware deity", to work towards a just, peaceful and prosperous world.
There was once a Pagan music ensemble that wrote a vision, that really expresses the heart of Druidry and our mission as Druids, working for "for the good of all":
We want to live in a world that survives
On the planet of life with light in our lives
By the power of the Moon and the strength of the Sun
We are one on the Earth
We want a world where there is love for everybody
We want a world where there is no more war
We want a world where there is hope for everybody
We want a world that's better than before
Give us a world where ther's food for everybody
Water that's pure, the air is fresh and clean
We want a world that is good for everybody
We want a world where everyone is free
(Written by Gypsy, on the CD, "Enchantress")
As awakening Gods then, we may need some guidelines. I suggest the following, written by Oberon Zell, former Primate and founder of the Church of All Worlds, which we consider to be our sister organization:
No matter how we formulate our philosophy, the true test of our strength lies in our behavior; our ability to embody the principles we hold dear, and apply them in our daily lives to the building of relationships and community, the integrity of our actions, and the strength of character that inspires others to grow and transform the world around them. To these ends we advocate the following principles of behavior:
1. Be Excellent to Each Other! Thou art God/dess. To truly honor the Divinity within each other is to treat each other with respect, kindness, courtesy, and conscious consideration. This involves honest and responsible communication, including the avoidance of gossip and rumor-mongering, and the willingness to reach for understanding rather than judgment. Learn how to communicate in a positive, life-affirming way. We prefer to avoid us/them and either/or thinking, and to instead take an inclusive systems approach that sees the Divinity in all living things. To this end we also deplore coercive behavior that does not respect the free will of others. We prefer to lead, not by guilt or coercion, but by inspiration and example; not only to be excellent to each other, but to strive for excellence in all our endeavors, no matter how seemingly insignificant. Tribal values we hold include Loyalty, Generosity, Fairness and Hospitality.
As Gods, we can no longer cling to outmoded, archaic identity labels. These would include racial labels (like black, white, yellow, red), ethnic labels, (asian, African, Chinese, American etc., ) and even political labels (conservative, liberal, socialist, libertarian etc.). These labels may be useful to explain where we came from, but as Gods, we have transcended all these. We are Gods a separate and unique race, culture and politic.
2. Be Excellent to Yourself! Again: Thou art God/dess. Divinity resides within as well as without, so how you treat yourself is how you treat that Divinity. Self-abuse, whether through irresponsible use of substances, overwork, self-denial, self-deception, or simply running those tapes that undermine self-esteem, are all insults to the Divinity within. Treat yourself kindly, with compassion rather than judgment, and it will be easier to treat others that way. Take care of your body, home and possessions, as a piece of Gaia that has been entrusted to you. Be a conscious guardian to the Temple and the God/dess within.
3. Honor Diversity! In Nature a diverse ecosystem has more stability. There are many styles of living and ways of living, each of which has something to offer to the overall puzzle of life. Be open-minded and receptive to new ideas because this usually manifests in growth of the spirit and the mind. Learn about differences rather than judge them. Be willing to explore others creative abilities to manifest a sense of well-being and confidence in their own Divinity. Sexism, racism, or rude remarks directed towards others sexual preferences, body type or personal habits (insofar as they do not harm others) have no place in this community. All life is sacred.
Once again, we can honor our BACKGROUNDS, but who we once were is not who we are now.
4. Take Personal Responsibility! ("With great power comes great responsibility!") The necessary counterpart to individual freedom is the willingness to be personally responsible for all of our actions, and for our effects upon the planet. Only through the practice of personal responsibility can we become responsible collectively and live a life of freedom and maturity. We are not a religion of gurus, Mommies or Daddies who can tell you what to do. As a religion that respects equality, we must take equal responsibility for making things happen, preventing harm, or cleaning up mistakes. To this end we also advocate one of the principles taught in kindergarten: Clean up your mess!
5. Walk Your Talk! (and, talk your walk!) Talk is cheap. It is fine and well to proclaim to be a feminist or environmentalist, to preach heady Pagan gospel, or to play holier than thou. It is only in practice that words become Truth, and change becomes manifest. But do not be afraid to fail, for in order to grow, our reach must exceed our grasp, and it is through failing that we learn.
Yet another way of saying all this, briefly and succinctly, is:
"'Thou art God/dess.' It's not a message of cheer and hope.
It's a defiance and an unafraid unabashed assumption of personal responsibility."
~~Mike to Jubal, SIASL by Robert A. Heinlein
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