I'm helping one of my pilates buddies sell her multicolored pearl rosaries which she makes herself. This, she tells me, has been her source of income ever since she graduated from college last year. Sheryl (not her real name) is a nursing graduate waiting for the right time to work as a nurse in New Zealand.
Meanwhile, she's killing time attending nursing trainings and seminars since she doesn't want to volunteer in hospitals and compete with other nursing students and nursing graduates all jostling to acquire the necessary experience for abroad. Making pearl rosaries doesn't earn too much though so Sheryl's mom and dad still give her an allowance. Even then, Sheryl's doing her best to make as many pearl rosaries and keychains as she can because she doesn't want to burden mom and dad. Last Friday, i tried to peddle 5 of Sheryl's pearl rosaries to my colleagues.
Colleagues: Himala you're selling rosaries May. Nagtuo diay ka kay Jesus?
I couldn't help reply: Nagtuo ko nga si Jesus tinuod na tao pero di ko sure kung siya ba jud si Lord.
(Head shaking laughter.)
But seriously, do I believe in God? - people always want to know.
I believe in the universe is my ready answer.
If the person who asked the God-question remains calm, I go on with: "Seriously, I find it hard to think of God as a Father. Or a Mother for that matter."
(Raised eyebrows and eyeballs rolling.)
I've never really told anybody what I think but Gaia seems to me the most reasonable explanation of how everything in the universe fits together. Not some humanlike supernatural being people pray to for blessings. (Everyone's free to disagree.)
You see, everything that happens, happens. Whether God, (whoever he or she or it may be), had anything to do with it, is something that never crosses my mind. Karma, reincarnation, the power of brainwaves and living purposely - now these are things I think about a lot. Not God. Surprisingly.
Colleagues: Himala you're selling rosaries May. Nagtuo diay ka kay Jesus?
I couldn't help reply: Nagtuo ko nga si Jesus tinuod na tao pero di ko sure kung siya ba jud si Lord.
(Head shaking laughter.)
But seriously, do I believe in God? - people always want to know.
I believe in the universe is my ready answer.
If the person who asked the God-question remains calm, I go on with: "Seriously, I find it hard to think of God as a Father. Or a Mother for that matter."
(Raised eyebrows and eyeballs rolling.)
I've never really told anybody what I think but Gaia seems to me the most reasonable explanation of how everything in the universe fits together. Not some humanlike supernatural being people pray to for blessings. (Everyone's free to disagree.)
You see, everything that happens, happens. Whether God, (whoever he or she or it may be), had anything to do with it, is something that never crosses my mind. Karma, reincarnation, the power of brainwaves and living purposely - now these are things I think about a lot. Not God. Surprisingly.
6 comments:
Maya, I enjoy your writing. Unlike many folks I know, I do not claim knowledge, but I am alkways fascinated by the most illogical statements where many claim absolute knowledge of the unknowable.
I remain pleased to reetire to my fencepost, where I can get hit by the tomatoes thrown by both the militant atheists and religionists alike.
Hey Maya, I'm so glad to read your views on "god" and religion, because they're so much like mine!
I usually keep my views to myself, because I don't want to confuse people around me, especially my family (old family, not husband and son--they're like me), and have them raise their eyebrows at me, or stare at me unbelievingly, or get into a 'defensive' mode, which I don't need.
I was raised a Catholic by parents and family who are very active in the parish (read: not sarado, very liberal). So from around 24 yrs onwards I have been gradually moving away from all religion, and the concept of god as "Lord" who we address as "he", and pray to in English!!! in a kind of 'performance' mode. hahaha:-)
For some years now I have been engaged in zen buddhist practice, which suits me well, because it is not a religion, and will not matter what you believe in, or even if you don't believe in anything. I think I have become more spiritual, more caring, than when I was a practicing Catholic. I have a high reverence for all religions, but don't want to belong to any.
Well the way i see it, you're an agnostic (a very broad term btw). And there's nothing wrong of being one and you are not alone. It only shows that you are 'thinking' and using your head.
what is Gaia btw?
I admired your boldness in tackling the most profound ideas in a clear and direct way.I accepted Jesus of Nazareth as my Lord and Saviour of my life but i don't believe in rosaries like my mom does. Philosophical thoughts cannot simply answer everything including science alone. Who can explain the intricacies of a snowflake? or the water dropping from a leaf during a rainstorm? or a helping hand that continues to give even though that hand endures suffering and poverty? etc.Though i have so many questions that left unanswered, my faith still rests in Him.
I think I understand what you mean. It's safer and surer to have faith in Jesus even if he cannot answer all the questions in the universe. But what do you mean about science not being able to explain the composition of a snowflake or why water runs off leaves? Someone who helps others despite his/her own pain is a good human being. That's not hard to explain. So what's your point? What kind of questions can't be answered by Jesus? Maya here. :D
Yes, it's really true, for me at least,that Jesus is my only safest and surest way (and truth) in which my faith rests but also value the discoveries through the empirical process of inquiry.For indeed,science can explain to a certain extent the mechanics of things in the universe for sure but it remains wanting and inadequate. The more science probes to unravel the mysteries of nature the more mysterious and elusive it becomes.It can explain the what,where, when,how of things but not the "why." That's my point.Jesus can't answer all our scientific questions(no evidence exist) cos He did not come here on the planet as a scientist but as a saviour of souls.
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