The Focal Point of God

Let's extemporise. Allow the mind to wander. Be a vessel of the creative universe. Surrender to the flow. Isn't that the very definition of joy?

Everything makes music--the wind in the trees, the languid sway of leaves, the perambulation of birds in the sky. When you surrender to nature, only beautiful thoughts can come into your mind. When the ego does not impose itself on the mind, you'll hear all the sweet whisperings of the universe. Let your foot off the pedal. Allow life to cruise at its optimum pace.

The so-called 'Will of God', is just this natural rhythm of the universe. Monotheistic religions have this useful model of an all-powerful, all-knowing God whose will we must surrender to. Surrendering to God means getting your own ego out of the way. God provides a convenient focal point, allowing you to easily relinquish your own selfish thoughts. It is a psycho-spiritual model that works for many people and if practised correctly, can bring a lot of joy to one's life.

All models have their limitations, of course. The God-as-universal-ego model can be hijacked by charismatic leaders who convince others that their own egos are equivalent to that of God's. Religions works best only when everyone understands that it is simply a useful model for living in harmony with the universe. It degenerates into ugliness--bigotry, hatred and superstition when people myopically think that the will of religious leaders is the will of God. They forget that the focal point of God is infinity--not finite beings with agendas, imposing their dogmatic beliefs on them.

The human mind loves the certainty of models so much that we latch on to them so tightly, forgetting that they are just approximations of reality. Scientists understand this well. Newtonian physics works beautifully in our everyday world of small masses and low velocity but breaks down when we have the masses of suns and planets and speeds approaching that of light. That's when Einstein's two theories of Relativity come in. Both models are useful in different situations. Newtonian mechanics is more than sufficient when it comes to the design of cars. GPS systems on the other hand, requires relativistic effects to be taken into consideration.

Understanding the limitation of models is key. God is ultimately unknowable. Our approach to God is asymptotic--always inching closer but never really touching Him. To worship God is to allow the mind to completely relax all of one's egoistic muscles. Do not be deceived by attractive God-like objects nearby. These are diversions and falsehoods. Stare out into the furthest distance. Only then does the mind rest on infinity, where the real focal point is.