Love is that which transcends the natural - it is that which is truly supernatural. It is that which allows us to act contrary to our basest nature - to reach beyond the selfish ego. The christian message of transcendent love is without question one of the great messages to reach the ends of the earth. Although one can deny and disagree with the reality of dogmas and theories, no one who has encountered true love can disagree with its transformative power. The great tragedy is that the message has failed to transform the messenger; Christianity does not live up to its higher calling. The great examples of love expressed come from all quarters, all faiths, all cultures - love is no respecter of persons or creeds. Creeds fail to transform, as do church's or mosques or temples. Love is found in the living, not in written words, ancient or new. Love does not boast or demand or cling - it is the freedom of self-surrender.

Life is the ebb and flow of cycles, rythmic patterns that we follow from birth to death. The pace and rythm may vary through lifes journey, but always there is a pattern, always we follow cycles. Our life depends upon cycles and flow. The trick is to recognize or discover the pattern that one is governed by.

Significant life change can be difficult to overcome at times and often seems to bring chaos and confusion into our lives - yet the rythm adjusts and a new pattern emerges. How to recognize the new pattern and adjust to it in harmony and balance. Time heals all things, it is said - perhaps that is because it takes times to harmonize with the changing rythm of life? Learning to be in harmony with the cycle of ones life is the art of learning contentment within the changing rythm. If we allow it I believe that harmony happens naturally - but too often we are striving and clinging and fighting and seeking without ever really seeing or entering into that harmony.

Well, it has been a few months since I've last posted. It seems I got caught up in the facebook craze for a while, but I'm back now, ready to take up where I left off.

My religious perspectives have not really changed - I'm still an agnostic, perhaps more decidedly so now, but I am still interested in religious faith and traditions. I still have leanings towards buddhism, but that is more superficial in nature (ie I do not have any desire to convert), I am still interested in christian origins, and I am still interested in hearing other people share their stories. I still get moments of nostalgia for my lost faith - an emotional ride that is quickly ended by rational thinking.

I tried an experiment on facebook and created a group specifically for those who are struggling with doubts about their faith or who have already left their faith. I called it Post-Christian (because that is my base) and although it did attract a few it never really caught on - perhaps I didn't market it well (or at all, really), or people have no real interest in the middle ground....for some it is all or nothing with no room for the journey between point A and point B.

Well, as it has been said, it is not the destination but the journey that matters most in the end.