God Beyond Religion: Eclectic Spirituality, Five points to discern spiritual truth

I'm quite sure all of you understand the definition of eclectic, but to be certain and precise, I will provide the dictionary definition. Adjective: "deriving ideas, styles, tastes, from a broad and diverse range of sources." Noun: "A person who derives ideas, styles, and tastes from a broad and diverse range of sources." 

So what do I mean by eclectic spirituality? First, my assumptions and presuppositions are as follows: Over the history of humanity, the creative source, God, has given mystical revelation about the nature of the spiritual, energetic reality that undergirds the material universe. These mystical revelations have been given to a variety of mystics from various cultures. This includes creative ideas that have led to advancement in all of the sciences and material progress such as inventions and other scientific discoveries. In Greek culture this source was thought to be the Muses, which were Greek Goddesses that inspired new ideas in literature, the sciences and the arts. Many people have had experiences where they have a novel and beneficial idea that had not previously been thought about. It is a creative idea that can be manifested in writing, science or art. It is also my assumption and presupposition that all creativity originates from this source in what Jung called the collective unconscious, Huxley called mind at large and mystics throughout time have called the Source, God, Logos, Tao, One and many other names referring to the same singular entity. 

Eclectic spirituality refers to the mystical revelation about the nature of existence, reality, the afterlife, and the creative source of the universe. It also includes recent developments in the sciences that examine the nature of matter, and the psychological scientists that are examining consciousness. Some of the thought leaders in these fields are Donald Hoffman who wrote "A Case Against Reality," and Dr. Bernardo Kastrup who is doing scientific studies of the mind. Of course we must not exclude Peter Higgs, the founder of the "god particle" as well as many other quantum physicists. Although I must add that Higgs is not into mysticism and frankly is not happy that the particle he discovered is called the god particle.

So, what are some of the ancient sources of mystical revelation? Well, of course, since I have a background in Christianity and being a Jesus follower, there is the Christian scripture. I also, have adopted the Tao Te Ching as a source of revelation, and I have recently read the Kybalion and am finding that the hermetic writings of Egypt and Greece contain mystical revelation that is important in explaining our sojourn on planet earth, and our connection with the source of creation. I also look to the Stoics, especially Heraclitus with their writings about the Logos.

I do not see any of the above writings, including the Christian scripture as containing solely all mystical revelation. However, I do see mystical revelation within all of the above mentioned writings. So I am not one who sees the Christian Bible as inerrant and infallible and definitely do not see it as the infallible "word of God" as evangelical dogma teaches. I do however, strongly believe that each of us are given a higher self, a divine nature, an aspect of divinity that if we are willing to listen too, and are in tune with, will be able to discern that which is mystical revelation from the source of creation, from God consciousness so to speak, and that which is simply the cultural conclusions and the musings of humans as they think about spirituality. Certainly, much of the bible and some of all sacred writings from all traditions is simply "the way that seems right to humans." Likewise, the ways that seems right to humans usually produces spiritual dead zones. 

Five points to discern:

Here are five points that will aid in discerning what mystical revelation from the creative source is. 

• It will promote love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness and inward self control. Not from shame nor command, but from an inner peace and love, understanding that the universe is composed of and created by conscious loving energy which is our substance as well.
• It will show forth that the creative source, God is in fact love. In addition to the qualities stated above in point one, it, the source will always forgive, and keep no record of wrongs.
• It will convince and inform that we are eternal extensions of the creative source, and that we are in the creator and the creator is in us, and we are by nature first and foremost spiritual beings.
• It will point out that we are indeed partakers of the nature of divinity first and foremost.
• It will supernaturally develop a love within us based on the assurance that we are loved, eternally, and completely safe within the creative source, God.

This is a framework to examine all supposed revelation to aid in our development of eclectic spirituality. Eclectic Spirituality is inclusive of all mystical revelation from the creative source, God.