…I don’t believe that any part of our relationship with God is based on rewards or penalties.  When we do good, we feel unity with God and those around us; that is its own reward.  Likewise, when we act selfishly, ungodly, or irresponsibly, it follows that we will feel more disconnected from God and others.  Penalties and rewards are just the natural results of our thoughts and actions in the world.

     Additionally, to say that we have free-will and then punish us for using that freedom would be akin to saying, “You’re free to do what I want you to do, and if you don’t, I’ll hurt you.”  What kind of freedom is that?

— Excerpted from The Truth as I See It: A Collection of Spiritual Writings by Adam Soto (p. 102)

 

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     “It is no little wisdom for you to keep yourself in silence and in good peace when evil words are spoken to you, and to turn your heart to God and not to be troubled with the judgment of others.”

– Thomas a Kempis

Source: https://www.successories.com/iquote/author/105/thomas-kempis-quotes/1

     To a pioneering spirit who was discouraged by frequent criticism the Master said, “Listen to the words of the critic. He reveals what your friends hide from you.”

     But he also said. “Do not be weighed down by what the critic says. No statue was ever erected to honour a critic. Statues are for the criticized.”

– Anthony de Mello, One Minute Wisdom

Source: http://www.soulwise.net/99adms5.htm

     I realize that—at times—especially during a conflict or immediately afterwards, each party may need some time to heal or come to terms with their emotions.  But I think the sooner we make amends, the happier we will be, and the closer we’ll walk with God.

— Excerpted from The Truth as I See It: A Collection of Spiritual Writings by Adam Soto (p. 80)

 

Copyright 2018 Golden Rule Independent Publications

Chief Samurai (with apologies to those who would “never hurt a fly”)

     Once upon a time a powerful Emperor of the Rising Sun advertised for a new Chief Samurai. After a year, only three applied for the job: a Japanese, a Chinese and a Jewish Samurai. “Demonstrate your skills!” commanded the Emperor. The Japanese Samurai stepped forward, opened a tiny box and released a fly. He drew his samurai sword and Whoosh! the fly fell to the floor, neatly divided in two! “What a feat!” said the Emperor. “Number Two Samurai, show me what you can do.” The Chinese Samurai smiled confidently, stepped forward and opened a tiny box, releasing a fly. He drew his samurai sword and Whoosh! Whoosh! The fly fell to the floor neatly QUARTERED. “That is great skill!” nodded the Emperor. “How are you going to top that, Number Three Samurai?” Number Three Samurai, Obi-wan Rabinowitz, stepped forward, opened a tiny box releasing one fly, drew his samurai sword and Whoooosssh! flourished his sword so mightily that a gust of wind blew through the room. But the fly was still buzzing around. In disappointment, the Emperor asked, “What kind of skill is that? The fly isn’t even dead.” “Dead, shmed,” replied the Jewish Samurai. “Dead is easy. But circumcision…THAT takes skill!”

Source: http://www.enlightened-spirituality.org/Spiritual_Humor.html

     We should always try to see things from God’s point of view.  Yet there are some (many?) who say that it’s impossible to do so, that human beings are incapable of even beginning to grasp a being as grand as God.  But that’s letting someone else define God’s limitations.  What God wants us to know, we can know without any measure or limit.  We must be open and receptive to it.

— Excerpted from The Truth as I See It: A Collection of Spiritual Writings by Adam Soto (p. 78)

Copyright 2018 Golden Rule Independent Publications

     “That prayer has great power which a person makes with all his might. It makes a sour heart sweet, a sad heart merry, a poor heart rich, a foolish heart wise, a timid heart brave, a sick heart well, a blind heart full of sight, a cold heart ardent. It draws down the great God into the little heart; it drives the hungry soul up into the fullness of God; it brings together two lovers, God and the soul, in a wondrous place where they speak much of love.”

– Mechthild of Magdeburg

Source: http://www.azquotes.com/quote/585107

     It is interesting to note that nearly everything Jesus taught can be put into one of two categories: our relationship with God or our relationships with those around us.  There is nothing more important than these.

— Excerpted from The Truth as I See It: A Collection of Spiritual Writings by Adam Soto (p. 77)

 

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     “But man is so addicted to systems and to abstract conclusions that he is prepared deliberately to distort the truth, to close his eyes and ears, but justify his logic at all costs.”

– Fyodor Dostoevsky

Source: https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/164111-but-man-is-so-addicted-to-systems-and-to-abstract

     Eventually, I developed my own system to help decipher what I thought was of God and what wasn’t.  I call these my “spiritual filters.”  These are filters that I apply to any thought or action in daily life, such as, “Would ____ be considered love?” or “Could I consider ____ perfect forgiveness?”  It works on small topics, where something like the Golden Rule (Matthew 5:12) might suffice, or in more complex situations, such as how I might feel about abortion, the death penalty, or war.

     Here’s an example of how it works … First, I need to figure out which filter or filters I’m going to use.  For instance, I might use love, life, peace, and beauty.  (You can add as many as you like.  It’s also helpful to ask if your results would make for a healthy spirituality and a beautiful world.)  Then you just run through the list.

— Excerpted from The Truth as I See It: A Collection of Spiritual Writings by Adam Soto (p. 75)

 

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