emalpaiz

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  1. I have "A TEXTBOOK About The Universal Life Church" which clarifies a lot of things about the ULC. This is a Church; this is a universal church in the true sense of universal: everyone is welcome.
  2. One Wednesday, August 28,2013, the Hindu World will celebrate the birth of Sri Bhagavan Krishna. The Hindu World views Sri Bhagavan Krishna as an Avatar or Incarnation of the Supreme Being. Hinduism in general believes that God has incarnated many time to help mankind in its path to spiritual enlightenment or salvation. In the Srimad Bhagavad Gita Sri Krishna says: "Whenever righteousnes decreases in the world, and there is an increase of unrighteousness, I am born on Earth again. For the protection of the good and the destruction of evil, and for establishing the path of righteousness I come into being from age to age" (Srimad Bhagavad Gita 4:7-8). The Hindu World will celebrate with great pomp, pujas (ceremonies), and meditations. The Beloved One promised that He would come again and again. How many times has the Beloved One appeared on this our world? In reality, nobody really knows. The way that I see is that the Spirit of God appears in different ways to help us continue our spiritual evolution. This manifestation of the Supreme does not have to happen in India, nor does it have to happen in a male body. In other religions the Avatar is called by different names: Prophet, Saint, Messiah, Christ, Buddha, Seer, Spiritual Reformer, etc. Everyone of us is to a certain point an Avatar. Lord Krishna says, "I am the Atman (Soul) in the heart of all beings" (Srimad Bhagavad Gita 10:20). Everyone of us can awaken the Lord that abides scretely in our hearts and become the physical instrument or Avatar of the Supreme. May everyone, no matter what your spiritual path might be, awaken the Inner Light in your heart and bring Understanding, Love, and Compassion to all. OM Shantih, Shantih, Shantih, AUM! Hermanno Luis Moriviví Hermitage
  3. To study the religions of the world is one of my passions. I have discovered in my studies many beautiful things as well as some not so beautiful things, not just in other religions but also in mine. So I have made adjustments in the way I practice my religion. I also discovered that many of the Gurus (Teachers) of my religion have also done the same thing throughout the long history of our faith. Sometimes we must modify in order to survive as a valid path. Hermano Luis Moriviví Hermitage
  4. I have always believed that the religious service should never be longer than one hour. The singing -- if any singing is to be done -- should be joyful. The sermon or lesson should be inspiring and not more than 20 to 30 minutes long. The minister should prepare a sermon that will inspire people to live a life of Understanding, Love, and Compassion. There should also be some time dedicated to silent prayer and/or meditation. Herman Luis Moriviví Hermitage
  5. I have heard of other similar stories.
  6. I have been influenced by Thomas Merton. He was a Master Mystic. Hermano Luis
  7. My religion -- Sanatana Veda Dharma -- has a hereditary priesthood, the Brahmins. They do most of the temple ritual. I have very little use of them. Then there are the renunciats or monks who take this life vountarily with the purpose of reaching spiritual enlightenment and teaching the Path to others. Then there are the rebels -- like me -- who believe that we can find the Beloved One through our personal devotions. We have had many teachers, and we have decided that we can continue on our own and make our own mistakes. The God of my religion is the God of all. Everyone gives God a different Name, and understands God in a different way. I like to think that God is the Ocean of Life, and that God is the Origin, Middle and End of everything. Even though I believe that Jesus Christ was a Great Soul (Avatar), I do not believe that He was sent to become a sacrifice. Nevertheless, I respect the beliefs of my Christian sisters and brothers. I strongly believe that everyone can find spiritual enlightenment through his/her own efforts. Special human beings have appeared on Earth at different times in history, and have offered teachings that help us evolve spiritually. But these special beings are not Gods, nor do they impose their teachings on humanity. Each and everyone of us has the freedom to accept or reject those teachings. That is our God given right. Hermano Luis Moriviví Hermitage
  8. I have heard of the Urantia Book. I once went to a lecture by a local group, but I was not impressed. I think it is time to give the Book the opportunity to speak for itself. Hermano Luis
  9. I do not remember having dreams in Englis, I always dream in Spanish. Nevertheless, I like to read a lot in English, and most of my professional life is in English. Hermano Luis
  10. I also stand for freedom, that is why I do not force my religious values on anyone.
  11. In my study of various world religions I have never come upon that title. Nevertheless, the certificate could be used to recognize the efforts and accomplishments of any member of a congregation. Just a thought! Hermano Luis
  12. Our religion does not need to have a name. There are a lot of people who have a profound love for God, but have no religion. The love of God is their religion. They need nothing else.
  13. Raincloud, Many blessings to you! I am glad that you have found your spiritual path. May you always walk your path with Understanding, Love, Compassion and Joy. Hermano Luis Moriviví Hermitage
  14. Are not all ministers con-men? Every minister is trying to convince people that there is something of value in what they preach. Hermano Luis
  15. I believe that God is the God of all, but I understand that God is understood in different ways. Sometimes in meditation I feel a Silent Presence. I like to think that it is the Supreme. In those moments I feel great peace. There are no words, no revelations, no sense of being superior to anyone. A Presence and Peace. Hermano Luis Moriviví Hermitage
  16. Enlightened souls open their minds so that they can increase their Understanding; they open their hearts so that they can offer all sentient beings Loving-Compassion. That is why we call them Mahatmas (Great Souls), yet they never abandon their simplicity and humility. Hermano Luis
  17. I am convinced that Life is Eternal and Omnipresent. I am convinced that when the conditions are appropriate, Life manifests in material forms. It has happened in our Earth, and it could have happened in many other worlds. Hermano Luis
  18. I follow a spiritual path founded on the Sanatana Veda Dharma (a.k.a. Hinduism). When you study Hinduism superficially you will never find the exact number of deities that are worshipped. But the reality is that the oldest of our sacred books, the Rig Veda, written centuries before Lord Buddha and Jesus Christ says the following: "To what is One, sages have given different names: they call it Agni, Yama, Matarishvan" (Rig Veda I:164.46). No matter which God we are worshipping, we are worshipping the One Supreme. Let each person walk his/her spiritual path according to his/her understanding. OM Peace Amen! Hermano Luis Moriviví Hermitage
  19. Vevry good! We need more open churches. Good luck! Hermano Luis
  20. Sri Bhagavan Krishna says: "He who enjoys the gifts bestowed by the Gods, without making the proper offerings of gratitude, in undoubtedly a thief" (Srimad Bhagavad Gita 3:12). Change the words "Gods" to "God" or to "Heaven" and it has the same effect. One should be grateful for everything that one receives in life even if one is an Atheist. It matters not. Being thankful is a great blessing even if it is not offered to anyone. Today I was at a special Satsanga (spiritual meeting) by visiting monks of my Sampradaya (spiritual tradition). After the meeting, the members of the temple had a social gathering with a meal and refreshments. I remembered the above words of Krishna (God), and went up to the ladies and said: "Even though the Gita always tells us not to be concerned about the results of our labor, it also tells us to be grateful. Thank you for all you have done for everyone." They had worked selflessly for three days, some of them even missed the Satsanga. I know that their main concern was that everyone enjoyed the blessings of the Santsang. And we did. But the selfless effort of the ladies was an even greater blessing, for they were perfect examples of a teaching of the Gita: "You have the right to act, but not to the fruit of action" (Gita 2:47). Remember, that is an esoteric teaching of the Gita which means: The fruit of all actions, is the action itself. Nature is a selfless worker. We should imitate Her actions. Hermano Luis
  21. Your explanation is interesting. In Spanish we do not have a word for Heathen. We only use the word Pagan (pagano), and it is used for everyone who is not a Christian, so accordingly I would be a Pagan.
  22. The word "Bible" sounds like some kind of "spiritual authority". Even though my knowledge of the Wiccan Faith is very slim, I was made to understand that our sisters and brother of the Wiccan Faith did not have a "Bible" nor any thing that could be called a "sacred book". I have always admired them for that freedom. Hermano Luis
  23. Beautiful! Keep it coming. Hermano Luis