Wednesday, April 03, 2002

Writing About Writing

Metawriting, that's it.

I've been getting tons of fabulous feedback about the last post, and I wanted to kind of talk a little about it. The Conversations with God series started a few years ago when I read the book entitled Conversations with God by Neale Donald Walsch. The author had a free flowing conversation with God, minus all the emotional and situational stuff. It's a dope book, took a while to get through, but I enjoyed it thoroughly and started to have, in fact, my own conversations with God.

As a reformed Catholic, I like to think that religion is uncommonly individualistic. I believe that there is a unique perspective we possess which in turn shapes our realities, our lives, and our Gods. Yes, Gods. God can be whoever, whatever, however you desire. Man, woman, child, black, brown, white, you name it, that's God. And you know what? That's okay. God is, in my eyes, too infinite to be defined by any man or woman. God just is.

So that's been my train of thought for a few years, and I started to think about what it would be like to actually talk to God. God the Accessible. God the One without Thunder and Lightning but Who Likes a Cup of Tea Every Now and Then. Not God the All Powerful and Ever Judging. I'd never invite him to my house. Could you imagine? What a bad house guest. Slip up and you're down the fiery furnace. Anyways, I lay in bed one night and just asked a question. I dont recall the conversation itself, but it just seemed like the answers popped out of nowhere. Intrigued, I continued to ask questions and then wound up having a conversation with, well, God.

Now, before you go and call the Psych Ward to report that a patient is missing, allow me to further explain my philosophy.

If God made us in "His" image, then why are we not Gods? To think of God as external, or the Other, you separate yourself from the concept and the mission. If you think of God as an integral part of your being, then you can internalize, literally and figuratively, the concept. You are, in fact, God. So this conversation stems from your own reality, and also, yes it's God talking through you.

Don't call the Pope.

My conversations with God were frustrating, happy, sad, and joyous. They have allowed me the opportunity to speak openly and honestly with myself, ask the hard questions, and give the hard answers. It's also given me the ability to listen to myself, something that I haven't been able to do lately. I often tell my students that when it comes to testing you know the answers, it's a matter of learning how to access the material. And during trying times, we know what needs to be done, and what needs to be said, we just need a space to be able to come to that conclusions, therefore my questions with God.

I've found that my spiritual side has been strengthened by the talks, my sanity has been saved often by the talks, and it's a nice way to take time out of a busy day. The fun part comes when you hear from God first. The hard part is letting your mind and heart be open enough to let that happen.

Thanks again for your feedback, and hell, tell God I said what's up.

VuDu

PS: Mista J, he hasn't quite learned how to use the call waiting feature on his cell phone. Be patient. Boy Wunda, thanks for your wise words. And Enforcer, he is one funny dude/dudette.

posted by Voodoo Child @ 11:58:00 PM