A Mystic's Nightmare Before Christmas
Or
Thoughts on God on Xmas Eve.
Let's start somewhere strange before we get to the punch. It isn't too strange a place to start because it involves a map that mystics use to understand the universe. So, for thoughts about God, it seems like a nice little place to get a lay of the land.
Many occultists, mystics, magicians and kabalistas would offer that the map called the Tree of Life which they use is a Cosmic map of creation and destruction. Perhaps in this day and age they would not be so bold as to offer that it is a map of divine power that holds true anywhere or everywhere in the universe, then again, I suppose that depends on the person.
The question is why even bother to write about this old diagram?
The reason is because people in the modern world use a map of the cosmos from the renaissance to anchor and support all they contemplate and do. There is no problem with this to be sure. No power in the universe will likely be upset by it. And people can think what they wish.
If we are to establish a decent map that uses, not our conceptions of the universe before modern science, but our current ones, what might that look like? If we made a map of what we really believe what might that look like? Would these two maps differ for you?
We have found our old ideas very seriously lacking–Earth likely isn't the only planet which is habitable and rich with water, nor is the sun the only star with planets. Our galaxy is one of billions. And the molecules of life travel about the cosmos in the commonest of meteorites. So it is likely that neither the earth, nor the sun or humanity is unique in the cosmic order.\
We used to be attached to the idea of a Conscious Creator of the Universe and of life on Earth. We thought, as would be eminently favorable for humans, that God made us special and in his image. Where did the universe come from? Some call it the big bang. So where did God come from? Who made him or Her?
The idea of a very powerful being creating the world and the universe is a bit much for my taste. It is a bit of human weakness I think. It is like a situation at work: when stuff goes wrong sometimes they have to blame somebody or fire them because the company took a hit. It is easier to say "it's his fault!" Why did the company lose a million bucks? That guy. Is it true? No. Does it work for the CEO? Yes. Does the company save face? Yes. Then we're going with the blame game. Give him a nice severance package.
Perhaps God is an idea we create and use when we want to think bigger … We think: big version of human with infinite power and wisdom!
Perhaps at this level it is even quite shameful that we are still talking of Gods when it comes to how we got here. We imagine that it is humble of us that a God much like us created the universe and all that is in it. Even humbler of us that all runs according to his divine plan. We posit free will as though that were the divine seed of life as a human–a life we choose. It is seen as God's gift to humanity…
It doesn't matter at all I suppose, that animals walk about as they wish and that we should certainly have no reason to think we are all that different. We love to tell ourselves we are the smartest of all beasts, and that we are the only civilized animals. No matter that we know of many animals that have very complex cultures and some where we see social customs and communication… No matter the evidence. Go on then human, think you are unique and best among all creatures!
It is a widespread species narcissism perhaps, but it is likely just as much a question of available resources and habit that governs such thinking. I have been guilty of it too. We don't catch it because people are fond of overlooking flattery as perfectly fine here and there. Nor will anyone likely complain except hardcore animal activists when humans do things that are really unfortunate for other species.
My point is that before we start moving ahead with world culture under a banner of any god, perhaps we should throw out such ridiculous back patting ideas as "a God Like Us" before we start getting real about the world and the cosmos and especially the laws of the land.
Our God tells us we are the rulers of all animals and that the world is ours to do with as we please because we are wisest and most beautiful of all creatures on earth or in the cosmos. Hogwash. How could we fall for this? Simple. It is flattery which can offend no other species as they do not read human language. It is time to get real even though the crows, pigs and wildebeests have not spoken human tongues to tell us of our infinite folly.
Here is my Christmas wish: let not flattery be your lamp, nor riches be your comfort, nor gifts be your satiety, but let universal community be your challenge. Let wisdom beyond species narcissism be your mind, like a great humble and godly nightmare before Christmas!
