Reach into the Beyond…{How to go past dogma & into truth}

Intro
The people that are ready to hear this already know what Im about to say is true. Im not saying anything new, but merely pointing to the door through which they have to go through.

Those that wish to argue against it, are those who are closed minded and are not ready to move beyond dogma and therefore will not benefit from what will be said.

Nonetheless, everything has a purpose.
Quite often I find it amazing people wish to show up somewhere where they find it controversial.

They seem to want to strengthen their egos through argumentation.
To this there are 2 responses:
1) Challenge the ego directly like a zen master beating someone with a stick
2) Ignore the ego and look through it to the person.

There is something else…a seed is planted.
What I say is more dangerous to those who wish to stay in their dogma than they realize.
Once you hear/see the truth, its seed is forever with you…you wont be able to shake it.

So read this only if you are ready for change…if not now, later in your life.
But know this, either way, your life wont be the same. – Goes with any of my post really.

Here we go.
Getting past dogma is pretty straight forward.
The answer is found in Jesus teaching that says, “Seek with all your heart and you will find.”
Note that he did not say, “search within all your dogma, and stay away from that which you fear and is not approved by your doctrine.” – No one finds that way.

Why? Well on a very simple and basic level its because the way we understand info.
The way I understand something is not the way you will understand it – even if we hear/read the same thing.

The Grid
We have a grid system that was built from childhood… a way of thought, a web of patterns weaved intrinsically together, which filters everything through its system of thinking and ‘limited’ understanding/perspective.

The gap created by the grid system is more evident (yet not recognized for what it is) in people who have apparently opposing view points. But it can even be seen in close relationships if you look closely. Miscommunication is, in essence, a result of the grid system and one person thinking, “I am right, you are wrong.” And typically neither one wants to bridge the gap to see where the other is coming from as this would threaten the ‘established’ ego.

Breaking Free
Start where you are.
Are you a Christian? Then go into Christianity all the way and see where you come out.
Be as zealous as you can and study as much as you can until the systems break down and you are ‘baptized’ and come out on the other shore ‘born again’ – free of dogma.
{Dont misunderstand this to mean that the act of being baptized does this…this is allegorical, learn to look past the words to where they are pointing.}

What is Christianity about? Go to church(s) and find out. (and/or read).
{Most importantly, read that Bible for yourself, and dont be afraid to ask questions and even more, be willing to not know the answers}

Groups…reach out and learn/experience
Baptist, Presbyterian, Charismatic, Mennonite (the latter is an experience of its own if you can actually go to their congregation and mingle with their folk. I did and made a good friend, who too was looking beyond his own religious doctrine handed down to him.)

Baptist: Once saved always saved
Presbyterian: Predestined…if you can ride this idea to the edge and then ponder what it means that “Jesus died once for all”, you may get the point. – wont say more as the journey is yours and its not fun if someone else solves the puzzle for you.
Charismatic/Pentacostal: Loose your salvation & pick it up a the alter, only to drop it again once leaving…”doh, am I ever saved!”

Roots:
Dont forget to study Judaism while you do this.
But do know that the whole Jews for Jesus movement is pretty much a “baptist for jesus” theology movement.

Learn from a real Jew, a real rabbi.
Doesn’t mean to avoid the messianic crowd, but know that its modern theology not based on Jesus teachings.

Judaism for the Christian
I recommend Kosher Torah with Rabbi Ariel Bar Tzadok for those wanting a good solid understanding of Judaism and thus Christianity.
Tons of free ‘ebooks’/pdfs in an online library. (audio material available in the store, and he has a free online class at virtual yeshiva.)

Catholics had it first
Ah, those evil Catholics…not quite, there are a couple of them which show what true Christianity is about:
Thomas Merton & Henri Nouwen.

Thomas Merton is a bit heavier, but his book on contemplation is great for someone wanting to experience God and not just theorize about him and argue with others all the time.

Nouwen is very gentle and easy to be digested by even the most devout Protestant.
Also, it is VERY practical and applicable. You get this far, you are ‘saved’.

Orthodox:
On your way backwards to the origins of your belief is Orthodox Christianity.
Take a look at the piece I have posted, “A River of Fire” and see the miraculous truth of Gods nature. This will be all that is needed for settling the issue of hell once and for all, of course you can always go beyond, but this makes for a solid foundation to build upon.

Spread your Wings
You want to skip all the jargon?
Eckhart Tolle is the way to go, though he will bring pointers up from various religions.
The teachings are not a religion but are freedom from religion…freedom from dogma.

As a former O.C.D., I can say that it was Eckhart Tolles way of putting things that woke me up so that I am not longer an ‘obsessive compulsive’. – no drugs required.
(prozac didnt help anyway…just helped line big pharmas pockets.)

Misc.
So you think that you are able to see past all the things that bind?
That is you no longer mistake the words for the message. Or you go past the parable and see the truth to what it is pointing? If you think so, lets see how far.

Check out Donmeh West, with Reb Yakov Leib HaKohain.
Great teaching, but if you are coming with a grid system you will quickly fall.
With this it is very easy to label and think you know what is being said.

I like his stuff as he is about doing what Im doing, extracting the light from all of creation.
(free daily classes on paltalk, and now mac users can join using paltalkexpress.)

The challenge is to take all that you have learned and see past the words that are being said and extract the light that is within. (As you did with all the above. It just wasnt stated that way.)

I could add in the Kabbalah center as well, as you study in Judaism/Christianity. (as this is great for helping one to break out of preconceived notions and identifying with groups and ideologies.)

The kabbalah center awarded me with a scholarship a few years ago, for which I am grateful.

I appreciate with them, that they also are breaking out of the ‘religious mode’ to bring the light to all and going past the ‘exclusivity’ bit. (Some may not catch this point, or think they know what I am saying…if you haven’t ‘reached into the beyond’ yet, I doubt you do.)

“The Lord Our God is One”
There you have it…go learn what this mean, I have shown you the door, its up to you to walk through.

To put it another way, go in all the way and see where you come out on the other side.

Conclusion:
Be forewarned, if you have switched one ego identity to another, it will be hard to come out.
Jesus said to the pharisees, “you go across land and sea to make one single convert and he becomes twice the son of hell that you are”.

Tis true when someone goes from one egoic identity to another.
The deeper you are in, the more solidified it is…until you go in all the way and keep an open heart to truly seek and are reborn and can breathe the fresh air again. (That is what happened with me.)

Peace to you my friends…

dAlen