JANU: The focus of ‘Religion and Churches’ is a revealing one. You ask, “What do they represent and what do they accomplish for society?” For they are a construct of society, symbolizing its deep desire for something profound and truthful in their lives.
What we look for here is movement beyond the symbolism into what the symbolism represents. Performing symbolic ritual does not get you there, on its own. Owning within you what it represents brings you the peace of victory within the search. The true teacher within each one is symbolically represented by the preacher or minister, the appointed head of the church, the student of the religion memorizing and attempting to understand the scripture, attempting to resolve issues in the lives of the parishioners. All of this is useful, but crossing the threshold of ownership, bringing understanding to your questions, your issues, from within brings a confidence in life by the inner strength through experience that everything can be understood and mastered. Scripture alludes to this here and there, but it can’t step through the doorway for you.
Get to know your teacher within and you will discover that the teacher is who you truly are, and have always been. Speak your truth from ownership, and your oneness with others is revealed and felt and accepted. Move beyond the symbol, experience and own what it represents. The symbol is a shell for a larger truth. It is the beginning of the journey, not the destination. And the destination, our brother, is vast and always evolving. Namaste.
Jan. 19, 2016 Copyright © 2016 by Joshua Ross
Check out Symbols and Enlightenment for extension of this idea.