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An interesting thought on what motivates people to try to convert others that kind of goes along with what you say here. It's not that they believe deep down its unbelievable. They very much do believe it. But rather its just simply the dynamic of what happens when what someone believes is in tension with what the majority believes. It's that tension that motivates them to seek out converts to grow their numbers and reduced the tension. If others believe as you do, then you have a greater support community.
Windwalker,
Exactly!
Is the term "Transcend and include" familiar to you? Stages of growth require structures to help integrate our current level. They serve to help translate the world for us in order for us to master sufficiently enough to move to the next level, the next developmental stage. As we move into the next stage we "negate" the present level as the standard mode of operation, but include the lessons learned and build upon them. It does not destroy the previous level, by includes it's good parts, while discarding the unnecessary parts.
Yes, it's that stage of being at the end of yourself, having tasted of the Divine Light, and are left unsatisfied with all substitutions which leaves one crying out to awaken. I know it well. I believe Evelyn Underhill laid it out as the fourth stage of mystical awakening.
Oh, you are a sojourner! A truly insatiable thirst moves you on against the tides!
That is the power of the draw to emergence at work. It can't be ignored. I too know this well. Well, since you are bringing up Erickson's developmental stages, there are other models of development as well to go with it. Are you familiar with Jean Gebser? He looked at cultural development and came up with his model of this as his stages of consciousness, ironically at the same time a Piaget was coming up with his developmental stages in childhood development. They were unaware of each other's work, yet what Gebser saw looking at human history, paralleled Piaget. So what in essence you see, is that what you see in a child development, is a micro-cosmic short-term match of a macro-cosmic development of the human species.
This is exciting, Windwalker! I keep smiling, when I'm reading your posts, when I'm not thinking deeply...Oh, you are a sojourner! A truly insatiable thirst moves you on against the tides!
Well, since you are bringing up Erickson's developmental stages, there are other models of development as well to go with it. Are you familiar with Jean Gebser? He looked at cultural development and came up with his model of this as his stages of consciousness, ironically at the same time a Piaget was coming up with his developmental stages in childhood development. They were unaware of each other's work, yet what Gebser saw looking at human history, paralleled Piaget. So what in essence you see, is that what you see in a child development, is a micro-cosmic short-term match of a macro-cosmic development of the human species.
Now all that to lay out those stages. They move from Archaic, to magic, to mythic, to rational, to pluralistic, to integral (and potentially beyond). The mythic stage is characterized by ethnocentric modes of thought. "The chosen people". Then in group, and out group. It corresponds with rule/role conformity, driven by group cohesion. They are the people of this god, or that prophet, etc, that set them apart from others. Religion at this stage is mythic-literal in nature. To challenge anything much that threatens group-cohesion, is viewed as a threat of dissolution of their structures, and hence the work of Satan. You are outcast, shunned, etc.
How that sound so far?
BTW, here's some more detail on Gebser's stages of consciousness: AN OVERVIEW OF THE WORK OF JEAN GEBSER
(This is so exciting! :dan: )
I wrote a poem, comparing wind with love.)
Personally, I feel now that I'm an atheist and theist at the same time. It's a state of is and isn't.
Sounds like our circling loops over the years are now in unison.
That's great! I'm happy to hear that. Yes, meditation is quite important, but so is having a support network. Meditation is a prominent part of my life, where I set aside at least 60 minutes each morning for it before my day begins. Being consistent is important. But as much as is exposed to me in meditation, as much deep inner work is done, I am fortunate to have a partner who has years of experience in this herself, so it helps me when I struggle with this or that, or just to share my enthusiasm with her. It's affirmation that others give, and that's important.
Hey! You mentioned Spiral Dynamics! Yes, you know this work. Jim Marion draw from the Integral Philosophy of Ken Wilber, whom I quite well-versed in. Other books by Christians building on the Integral model whom you may enjoy would be Paul Smith's Integral Christianity. Now, I have not read this book, but I listened to a 4-part interview with him with Ken Wilber. I like what I heard him expressing in it, and it may be of value to you.
(You'll be informed to the teeth when you finish those! Plus, so much will be brought together of what you've already sensed and seen on your own). Oh yes. I like Pierre Teilhard de Chardin's use of the term the Omega Point, to describe the focal point that draws things to itself. Tie this with Paul Tillich's "Ground of Being" (God), it is the Source that gives rise to life, and to which all life is draw in return. But not toward disillusion, to death, but to Realization. In the fullness of being through becoming. All creation reaches for that Unity, and evolution is the stream through which life emerges into awareness of the Self and knowledge of Truth.
Lots of food for processing. Practice meditation, as well as learn. There is no substitute for that knowledge that we learn as we learn who we are "face to face". 
I quit debating the tenants of atheism & theism about two years ago. I am fed up with it. At the end of the day, I don't even feel that belief in God is the most essential aspect of one's existence.
Yup. I feel it has come to one unifying thought, but it's all very new to me. I'm still trying to get used to it.Sounds like our circling loops over the years are now in unison.
How lucky for you - and her!
There is so much we miss of non-verbal communication through online communication, but still it has benefits of being less judgmental (no appearances), and in writing, there is a greater sense of freedom and potentially more contemplative communication.
Thank you for these suggestions!
I'm really curious about some of these things you've suggested I read... Thanks for sharing them! I've missed being in school, so thank you for the homework!There. That should keep you busy for awhile!!
Oh yes. I like Pierre Teilhard de Chardin's use of the term the Omega Point, to describe the focal point that draws things to itself. Tie this with Paul Tillich's "Ground of Being" (God), it is the Source that gives rise to life, and to which all life is draw in return. But not toward disillusion, to death, but to Realization. In the fullness of being through becoming. All creation reaches for that Unity, and evolution is the stream through which life emerges into awareness of the Self and knowledge of Truth.
So, there you go.
Peace, my friend.
