I recently came across this beautifully honest piece of writing on a blog, a very frank and open letter to God written by Jules. A lot of people ask me what do you mean by "the purpose of life is to sing?" Well read this and you will understand from someone who has learned to sing in life.

Thanks to Jules I remembered today again that the right way to sing. The song of life needs to be based on truth, not superstition. To sing without superstition is a pure way to sing. To acknowledge what you don't know is the right way to sing. Songs of truth are not filled with answers, they are filled with wonder!

The letter is below, but to see his other writing and comments on this letter, click the following:
http://michonmichon.com/2011/07/18/dear-god/

Open Letter to God From Jules

Dear God…

by Jules on July 18, 2011


Dear God,

This letter would have been a lot easier to write about 15 years ago, when I was searching for my faith or a faith or something. Now, I’m at peace with my beliefs. Some days, I believe You exist. Other days, I buy into the notion that everything is energy and it just gets recycled over and over again. I lean more towards the latter one.

But if You do exist, we’ve had a bumpy ride, haven’t we? Growing up Catholic, going against my family and attending the Methodist church when I was in the 7th grade, attending a Christian college, starting a college aged Bible study, the work trips, teaching Sunday school…and then finding out about other religions and realizing that religion is completely man-made and that all religions are essentially worshipping the same God, the same You.

Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t trade those times. I remember sitting on the floor of that hotel in the hallway with N, crying and feeling so loved, and accepting you into my heart. I remember the weeks I spent insulating and painting underprivileged people’s homes with my youth group. I still love the friends I made.

I just don’t know, though. My rational side sees the subatomic particles and understands the science of energy moving, neither being created nor destroyed. And the things people do IN Your name, You’d be ashamed. The people I feel the most criticized by are the ones who say they love You the most. How can that be? Jesus hung out with non-believers, with prostitutes, with the unwanteds. He would give the shirt off of his back to help another. Yet the Christian right doesn’t want poor people to have health care? That makes no sense to me.

As You know, I studied the Bible intensely for all of those years, especially in college. I don’t remember it saying anywhere in there that we are supposed to try to get as rich as we can, own as many things as we can, and leave those who are not as privileged by the wayside. And don’t give me the excuse of “only wanting your money to go to Christian organizations.” Jesus didn’t care. He gave to everyone. That’s what the Bible teaches. If you believe in it.

As someone who knows that the Bible has been changed over and over and over again, based on who the king was, I know to take it all with a grain of salt. It’s not the word of God. It’s a guidebook. But humans have touched it many times. How can you take it literally?

I really didn’t know that this was going to become a letter about all of the things I believe and don’t believe. That’s what poured out so I guess that’s what I needed to write.

If there is a Heaven, give big hugs to all of my loved ones.

Peace,

Jules

Often we try to convince people to act in a certain way to achieve a positive result. We, in our ego, forget that the path was not important that the eventual goal was important.  The message might be good, but if the person doesn't agree with the path, and therefore does not follow it, it is a waste.   

If there is something good we want to communicate to someone, something that will be beneficial to them in the future, do not force your path on them.  Try to learn the path that they took, understand it, and chances are they will try to comprehend yours.  The path that that person might take might be very different from yours.  That path might work better for them.  Their path might work better for you too. 

The message remains "Ekonkaar Gurprasad." (http://shivsangels.blogspot.com/2010/03/guru-nanak-elegance-of-ek-omkaar.html): That the universe is one, that I am part of it, that I am grateful to have learned this from my Guru, and that I am and will always be in bliss as long as I remember that. That is the central message that can bring morality without superstition.  That is the truth.

But I welcome people to take whatever path they want to take to it.  I am happy if you want morality without superstition.  I have my own path and I welcome to understand yours.  Come and tell me if there is a better way than singing Ekonkaar under the guidance of my Guru.

Convince them of the message, relating the path you took is your duty as a helpful being, but convincing any other of your path is not important, and often not constructive.

I am sad on many levels when I read that 102 people died last week due to an accident while they were on a pilgrimage to Sabarimala Temple in Kerela, India. The media is full of questions about why this happened and why didn't the 'government' prevent this. What a useless scapegoat the government is, when the fault lies in believers of the pilgrimage.

That 102 people lost their lives in doing a pilgrimage makes me very sad. But that these pilgrims do the pilgrimage to see "celestial light" that has been proven to be manmade, or to attain "moksha", makes me even sadder. I am not trying to pick on this pilgrimage or the devotion of the pilgrims. I would do a pilgrimage if I were to learn something. But I would have no hope of celestial light or moksha; because that I already have both of them. In my view, all pilgrimages done with the intention of future reward, are a waste of time. That is exactly what they are.

It is a waste of time in this life for obvious reasons! But also what a grand waste beyond this lifetime. Truth is eternal ... never dies, it is always remembered. Can you recall any people who did the most number of pilgrimages in the past 1000 years? Can you even recall how many pilgrimages your parents and grandparents did. Chances are that you can't. It is immaterial! Pilgrimages are not the true path. Never were, never will be. You can remember people who were good in their lives. Because goodness is truth. Eternal. It stays.

For those who haven't been to the temple, the journey takes you through forests and hills, and in the end you climb 18 gold steps, to eventually see in bold letters: "Tattvamasi" ... "That You Are." You also see a statue decked in jewellery. Without crossing any forests and climbing any steps, just sitting at peace in your living room, try to think about what "Tattvamasi" means. It might take only a few moments of peace and unlike this pilgrimage there is no need to fast for 41 days before sitting down to think. Or sing,listen or understand the beautiful bhajan about Swami Ayyappa at the end of this blog post can also be used (hopefully with the understanding that Swami Ayyappa is the ONE God that resides in you). Or you can call everyone you see "Swami" around you because they have the same light as yours. If you want to do more, read the entire Chandogya Upanishad (from where Tattvamasi comes from), or read all the Vedas, and use them in your life. Its easy now in the digital age ... all resources are only a few mouse clicks away.

The heavenly light one needs to see is that of the understanding of the scriptures in one's heart. That light you can enjoy with all your loved ones, even your wife and daughters, who, if they fall within the ages of 10 and 50 year, are not allowed to see the fake "Makara Jyoti" from Sabarimala.

Wake up, my friend! God does not move into a statue on auspicious occasions with a miraculous flash of light. Those who have seen it are relating lies of fantastic fiction; and those who perpetuate it are either mired by greed or foolishness. Be smart and be good, and in your goodness, God will reside in you. Remember "Tattvamasi": "That You Are!" Close your eyes and make your mind climb just one step. And see yourself decked in Gold.

Life is short. Don't waste time. Take a few moments. Understand! Only Love is the path to realize God, not pilgrimages (Read more: "Jin Prem Kiyo")

- Shiv

Tragedy at Sabarimala:


Nothing divine about Sabarimala light:



Why Vivek Oberoi, the actor goes there:


Background on Sabarimala
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabarimala


Why millions throng Sabarimala temple:
http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/NAT-TOP-why-millions-throng-sabarimala-shrine-1755207.html

Interesting background on Ayyappan:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayyappan

Beautiful Swami Ayyappan bhajan and its translation:
http://nushindusociety.org/test/index.php?topic=1320.0