Traditional vs. Modern Spirituality
Traditional religions demand spiritual devotion and holy thoughts,
but only if you conform completely to their doctrines. Stray from
their beliefs, and you’re branded a heretic, sinful, and lost. But
what if heresy is not a curse, but a path to freedom? Dare to think
your own profound thoughts, to feel your own authentic emotions.
Refuse to be domesticated or hypnotized by dogma. Instead, embrace the
joy of creating your own belief system—a dynamic, evolving guide to
wisdom and fulfillment. Not indulgent hedonism, but a path to becoming
wiser, happier, and more profoundly spiritual. Imagine reaching a
state of lasting joy, a place where love flows effortlessly. It’s not
a fantasy—there are universal spiritual laws that can make it
possible. For instance, to inspire love in others, you must first love
yourself and radiate joy.
The so-called “religions of the book”—Christianity, Judaism, and
Islam—stand frozen in time. Their doctrines, largely unchanged for
thousands of years, fail to adapt to humanity’s evolution. Yet today,
with a few keystrokes, we can explore the wisdom of countless
traditions, self-help philosophies, and global teachings. Why not
harvest the best from all? Take the serenity of Buddhist meditation,
the transcendence of Hindu chanting, and the awe-inspiring truths of
science. Gaze upon the majestic workings of galaxies and the mysteries
of the cosmos. This website is here to help you weave these treasures
into a belief system uniquely your own.
Liberate yourself from outdated notions of sin and punishment. The
world is not meant to be endured with shame, but to be lived with joy.
Eat, love, and savor life—but balance your desires. Overindulgence in
any single pleasure can tether you to the lower chakras, those primal,
animalistic energies. True spirituality rises above; it seeks variety,
curiosity, and growth. Addiction to one thing—be it food, sex, or even
ideas—narrows the soul. Seek harmony and diversity in all aspects of
your life.
A revolutionary idea lies at the heart of modern spirituality: you
are not your mind. You are not your emotions. You are the observer,
the quiet witness to the mind’s chatter and the heart’s storms.
Emotions are fleeting, easily triggered by trivialities. The mind is a
constant roommate, endlessly jabbering: “It’s a nice day. I’m walking
my dog.” Why does it narrate what you already know? Step away from
this noise. Meditate. Observe your breath. Watch the mind and emotions
from a distance. In that space of observation, you’ll find the real
you—the soul, the true self. Call it what you will; it’s not the words
that matter, but the experience behind them.
In this place of quiet clarity, there’s room for genuine wonder and
awe. Consider the Webb telescope’s revelations: billions of galaxies,
each brimming with countless stars and planets. A cosmic time machine,
peering into the universe’s ancient past. Imagine the countless life
forms out there, so far away yet so tantalizingly possible. The beauty
of this vast mystery invites us to reflect on life’s grandeur and to
anchor ourselves in awe.
Starting Over
Your journey begins here, with a clean slate. Start crafting your
own belief system. Not all beliefs are equal; some will elevate you
more than others. This is a journey of discernment, and we’re here to
guide you. One crucial step is to disengage from the noise—limit your
exposure to the news and distractions beyond your control. Shift your
focus inward, to the only thing you truly command: yourself. Your
thoughts, your actions, your emotions—they are yours to shape. With
practice, you can train yourself to be happier, more productive, and
deeply authentic.
Choose what resonates with you. If some old religious teaching
still holds meaning, embrace it. Let it go of those that don't.
Begin with simple acts: wash the dishes, fold the laundry, chop wood,
carry water. These mindful actions ground you and create space for
clarity and peace.
Tune out toxicity, whether it comes from people or ideas.
Especially during times of stress, like the holidays, perfectionism
often creeps in. The perfect meal, the perfect gift, the perfect
family gathering—it’s all an illusion. Life isn’t perfect, and it
doesn’t need to be. If things go wrong, let them go. If the food
burns, improvise. If someone is unkind, don’t let their negativity
overshadow your joy. Love yourself enough to release what doesn’t
serve you, and you’ll find a peace that cannot be shaken.
Now where do I get all this information? I have done a lot
reading and listening over the years. More recently I have been
reading books by Michael A. Singer.
Michael A. Singer
Much of this space is largely inspired by Michael A. Singer's
transformative masterpieces, The Untethered Soul (2007) and
Living Untethered (2022) These
extraordinary works delve deep into the human experience, illuminating
the nature of our thoughts, emotions, and the true essence of who we
are. Singer’s words offer a profound invitation to move beyond the
restless confines of the mind and step into the vast, boundless peace
of our inner being. With clarity and grace, he addresses universal
struggles—stress, fear, and the relentless inner chatter—offering a
way to transcend them.
To make things clearer I am using the word "mind" to mean the
mechanism that produces the voice in our heads. This is how
Singer defines the mind. Futher, Singer believes that we can be
a captive of this inner voice.
Singer gently gives the necessary tools to release the emotional and mental burdens that
weigh us down. And also empowers us to let go of what no longer serves us.
His wisdom, grounded in both practical advice and spiritual truth,
reveals a clear path to inner freedom and happiness. By freeing ourselves from
limitations and embracing the infinite flow of life, we awaken to a
world of peace, joy, and boundless possibilities. This is the essence of The Untethered Soul
and Living Untethered —a call to
uncover the freedom and enjoyment that has always been within us..
George Norwood
Let me tell you a little about myself. As a child I lived in Petaluma,
a beautiful town in Northern California. My mother brought me up as Catholic,
and therefore attended mass and catechism classes. I really bought
into it. I was a good Catholic kid. I cycled from being in the state
of grace and all sins forgiven, back to the normal world of guilt
Any thought of sex was sinful, and standing up for what I thought was
right was sinful too. I knew that science was right. It had the
mathematical proof. It did experiments. The teachings of the
Catholicism were just written down a long time ago by somebody with
supposed divine knowledge. I did not know how I was set up, made
to feel guilty then made to feel that my sins had been lifted.
As a teenager, I started to explore what other religions taught. I
visited every church in town. I read books about what I thought
were exotic and strange
religions, namely Buddhism, and Hinduism. I kept my faith as a Catholic, but
was building other knowledge that challenged the dogma. When
I was about twenty years old, I moved from home to New York City in
order to go to RCA Institutes. Here I was studying calculus, physics,
electronics and computers. I did not grasp what a computer was. I did
not know how to study. I was flunking.
Out of desperation is tried praying really hard to God. It
made things much worse. I got back to asking questions in school,
getting some help and things picked up.
.
General Semantics
I also started to thirst for a solution to the Catholic belief
system of mine. I finely got a good clue. Also the
Catholic teaching was built with words. So I started to
investigate the connection between words, truth and meaning.
This eventually lead me to a subject called General Semantics.
One of the main truths of General Semantics was that words must
have meaning or they can lead you into blind faith. Words have to
point to something real.
Maps are constructed to much the same thing. A map will show
you how to get somewhere by translating the real world into symbols on
a sheet of paper. The road becomes a line, the towns little
rectangles, and so on.
If someone was telling you how to get somewhere, instead of lines
and little boxes, words are used to substitute for objects along the
path to where you are going.
One can easily draw a fake treasure map to find a pot of gold at
the end of the rainbow. One can also tell you a story that purports to
do the same thing. So to make sure the map or story is accurate,
you have to go look at the territory. Walk the walk.
More About Me
So later on in life, I actually joined different faiths. I
went on retreats with a Ken Keys group, and another one with Swami
Satchidananda followers. I became a Hindu, a Buddhist, a Baha'i, and a
Unitarian.
They all had rituals and different stories about what was true and
right. But I want more, how things worked in me. I wanted
something that had some proof, other than just feeling good with blind
faith.
More recently, I found some people who had some proof of what we
experience in our inner life. This happened in early 2024 after
I started attending the Agape Spiritual Center in Frisco Texas. Many
religions made me feel uplifted, but this one also gave me insight
into how I worked inside.
I have been a technical write for about forty years. Here I
was asked to explain and how to use the most complex systems. I was
good at it. In wrote manuals and teaching materials.
Also I went to the University of Texas at Dallas part time and
received a degree in Psychology I knew how to figure out complex
gadgets and knew how to write and this really paid o I had close
to an A average.
So I had the perfect storm, writing skills, wide religious
background, and an education. You are reading what happened.
Current Cultural Problems
So much of our culture is devoid of science and thinking. The
stores are filled with food that over the long run is not healthy.
Eating the wrong foods have turned the United States into a country of
large unfit people. Our religions are founded on ancient cultures and
have never been updated. Our psychology is uneven.
Freudian psychology is expensive, takes forever, and is kind of like a
religion itself. The Id is like the devil, and the Super Ego is more
God like.
So its no wonder that I lost my stepmother to suicide, my son to alcohol poisoning,
and the effects of pill addiction and mental illness in one of my
wives. Most crime is the result of mental and spiritual illness.
We need to deepen our minds, and find something that is believable,
that actually works and uses common sense.
The
Agape
Spiritual Center was where I learned about Michael A.
Singer. It is unique refuge in Frisco, Texas surrounded by
Christian culture. Founded by Senior Minister Rev. Lee Wolak, the
Center meets in person at 10:00 at the
Hyatt Regency Hotel in Frisco, Texas. H
includes
the principles of presented in the Untethered Soul. Located
in Frisco, Texas, his mission is to expand human awareness through
teaching others how to live consciously and experience a fulfilled,
and meaningful life. Agape, which was founded in March of 2009, is an
inclusive community where individuals come to learn, practice, and
share their journey of self-discovery. Rev. Lee teaches practical
spirituality and a way of life that includes meditation, affirmative
prayer, affirmations, forgiveness, visualization, and gratitude.
Why We Need to Start Over
As we were growing up, we were not able to reject the beliefs of
our parents and other authorities. Thus some of us have core beliefs
that have to been looked at as adults and reevaluated. I is perfectly
good to just let go of beliefs that really no longer resonate with
us..
By letting go we can develop a new richer, more
fulfilling life. Releasing old beliefs isn’t simply change—it’s a
transformative journey of self-discovery. If you to
break free from inherited dogmas, unquestioned traditions, and
fear-based narratives you will find so more freedom to learn new
beliefs that harmonize with your spirit and square with what seems to
be true and good. By shedding these outdated frameworks, you create space for
a spirituality that is alive, vibrant, and rooted in exploration and
critical thinking. You allow yourself to embrace new truths that can
profoundly enhance your life.
Moving Beyond the Past
This journey isn’t about rejecting the past—it’s about moving
beyond it. It’s an opportunity to reclaim your freedom and define what
concepts like God, love, and purpose truly mean to you. By relying on
direct experience and self-discovery, rather than inherited beliefs or
external authority, you can integrate the timeless truths of humanity
with the modern insights of science and personal growth. This evolving
spiritual framework is expansive, empowering, and free from guilt and
rigid expectations. It honors your uniqueness, celebrates diversity,
and calls you to live with courage, peace, and a profound sense of
purpose. In this process, you might find joy in having your own
conversation with God, opening yourself to an entirely new world of
meaning.
Christianity
If we are Christian you might think I am attacking your faith.
Well I am, but in a good way. Is it not best to find your own truth
based on your own experiences and feelings. You can keep the beliefs
that work for you on a selective bias.
The Bible contains a mix of historical, poetic, moral, and
philosophical content, much of which can be appreciated for its
logical insights into human behavior, ethics, and practical living.
For instance, the Golden Rule in Matthew 7:12, which says, "Do to
others as you would have them do to you," promotes empathy and
reciprocity, forming the basis of ethical relationships in society.
Similarly, Galatians 6:7 teaches the principle of sowing and reaping:
"A man reaps what he sows." This reflects the logical idea of cause
and effect, emphasizing personal responsibility and consequences for
one's actions.
Proverbs 4:7 highlights the importance of wisdom: "The beginning of
wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get
understanding." This encourages the pursuit of knowledge and
understanding, which is central to logical and ethical living. The
Bible also values peace and resolution, as seen in Matthew 5:9:
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of
God." This underscores the logical benefit of resolving conflicts and
fostering harmony, which leads to stable communities.
In Matthew 6:34, the Bible advises against excessive worry:
"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about
itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." This is a practical,
logical approach to managing stress by focusing on the present.
Proverbs 16:18 warns of the dangers of arrogance: "Pride goes before
destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall," demonstrating the
logical understanding that arrogance often leads to poor decisions and
negative consequences.
The principle of generosity and reciprocity is reflected in Luke
6:38: "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed
down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap,"
emphasizing the mutual benefit and goodwill in human interactions.
Finally, Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 highlights the value of unity and
teamwork: "Two are better than one because they have a good return for
their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up,"
which logically illustrates the advantages of collaboration and mutual
support.
These principles provide timeless guidance for ethical behavior,
personal growth, and fostering healthy relationships. They resonate
because they align with universal human experiences and the
cause-and-effect nature of life.
But there is a darker side to Christianity that needs to be updated. I
remember being a Catholic and feeling guilty having committed so many
sins. But being attracted to a pretty girl is not wrong, it is
natural. There is nothing wrong with eating meat on Friday. I used to
feel so much better after confessing my sins and receiving communion.
I was in the state of grace. Now I feel in the state of grace most of
the time as everything was made by God including myself. I have
learned to love myself and my body. I do not have to confess my sins,
as I do not believe in sin any more. Instead I make mistakes and
I pay attention and learn from from the mistakes and then do not
worry about it.
Everything is Holy
There is a song by Peter Mayer called
Holy Now
that draw a tear or two when I hear it. Everything is holy now.
Everything is a miracle. Holy water was rare, now it is everywhere.
The Bible
The Bible is so far out of date. is one of the best books that was ever
printed and at the same time it has major mistakes. One of the biggest
mistakes is about slavery. Real slavery is just horrible.
Slavery owners are given the right to do anything they want to a slave
except killing one is wrong according to the Bible Thus slaves can be treated as
animals in wicked and cruel ways. This justified slave owners in the
southern United States. Many were beaten, forced to have sex and
receive no education.
Also the God of love, wise and forgiving is described in the Bible
as someone who drowns everyone on earth. If you read about
Noah's food, God kills innocent people for no reason including little
children and Infants. Even for Noah's family and all the pairs of
animals, they a doomed to reproduce offspring that will be stricken
with poor bodies.
We have a problem of human and animal incest here. When
animals or people lack sufficient genetic diversity, it is referred to
as inbreeding depression or genetic bottlenecking. Inbreeding can
cause reduced fertility, Increased vulnerability to diseases,
developmental abnormalities and lower survival rates. Genetic
Bottleneck happens when a population experiences a sharp reduction in
size, leading to a loss of genetic diversity, limited adaptability to
environmental changes, increased risk of extinction and amplification
of poor traits. You can Google other instances when God kills
innocent people.
Other religions have a mixture of good and bad concerning what they
believe. All this is overlooked but it means that no religion is
perfect and has all the answers. We have been given brains, and
we are supposed to use them.
Even the question “Do you believe in God?” is inherently flawed. Without
defining what is meant by "God," the question lacks clarity. A far
better inquiry is, “What do you currently believe in?” This opens the
door to meaningful dialogue and self-exploration, rather than a simple
yes-or-no answer.
The Bible and other holy books are based writings that are ancient.
Some stories were the product of illiterate people who passed
information on orally for thousands of years. In fact
anthropologists think these people sang songs tor days to keep their
memories alive.
It is hard to imagine what is was like where nobody had any idea
about germs, the possiblies of
electronics, lights, cars and highways, stores full of clothes,
satellites, cell phones and computers. If you got sick you probably
were in heavy pain and would die in short order. Everything happened
due to the will of the gods.
So why give so much credit to old writings. The real God did not
come down to see us, and the Bible was only an attempt to help people
behave and love each other. The real truth is not
hidden back in ancient history. The real God is here and more open
with us. God wants us to learn about science, because the universe was
made by God. The real God is felt by Sadguru and others now.
This is an exciting time to live. We have the means and methods
to be much better informed and have much more comfort and long lives.
Why should we fall back on ancient times?
With all the different religions, all thinking that they have the
real truth, it is confusion to say the least. One way to break
through this confusion is to study the meaning of words. This
science is called Semantics. General semantics goes deeper into how
meaning is transferred between people.
The Map is Not the Territory
Words are not things, but only symbols that help you think and
understand. When we hear words, the speaker produces a series of sounds that
picked up by our ears and processed within our brains which find
meaning within the sounds. When you read, you hear your inner
voice in your head and those sounds are sent to the brain where again
meaning is found. Written words and maps have something in common. The text is
interpreted by brain for meaning, and is also processed for meaning.
It is very clear what the difference is between the map and the
territory,
But when we read or hear someone Similarly, written words on paper
are written symbols that act just like a map. A physical map helps us
navigate a geographical territory, words help us navigate meaning.
Words, sentences, and books are actually serve as "maps" to guide us
through the landscape of meaning. These word-maps connect with what we
already know, helping us locate where we are in our understanding and
guiding us toward new insights and perspectives.
This analogy originates from General Semantics, a discipline that
applies scientific principles to explore how words shape our thoughts
and perceptions. Words are not the things they describe; they are
tools that build meaning within us, but this meaning may not always
reflect reality. For instance, if we say, "Bill is good," (Bill =
good) our personal
judgment about Bill is shared, but Bill himself does not change with
this pronouncement, in the
external world at least.. However, within our internal world—the one shaped by
perceptions and interpretations—Bill might take on a new role for who
ever hears these words.
The Inner and the Outer Worlds
There are two worlds, the external one described by science and the
internal world inside us that we actually use. We never see the
world directly, as the eye like a camera, sends signals to the brain
to render into what we see on our internal monitor. The brain does a
pretty good job, but we are subject to illusions which break the
mind's shortcut processing. But usually the brain really strives to do
a good job, and produces a pretty accurate model of the external world in our minds not
only keeps us grounded and out of trouble, but it also allows us to
build an internal world that is truthful and, in its honesty,
profoundly beautiful.
The Unseen and Its Layers: Exploring Electricity, God, and
the Wisdom of Simplicity
Electricity is a well-known phenomenon, and countless formulas have
been developed to explain how it works. One of the most fundamental is
Ohm's Law, which relates resistance, current, and voltage. This law
helps us understand the relationships between these elements, but it
doesn’t truly explain what electricity is at its core. For instance,
we speak of electrons as the carriers of electric charge.
Scientifically, electrons are described as waves of probability, a
concept that tells us where they are likely to be at any given moment.
However, this only addresses their location, not their fundamental
nature.
When we observe their behavior in a cloud chamber, we see trails of
movement, but the electron itself remains elusive. We observe the
effects of electrons when we flip a switch and a light bulb
illuminates or a hairdryer powers on. These are the visible outcomes
of an invisible cause. It’s like the presence of a ghost in the
kitchen: we might see food being diced and cooked, but we cannot see
the ghost itself. In many ways, the electron is like this ghost—its
effects are tangible, but its essence is beyond direct perception.
The concept of God parallels this idea in many ways. While we
cannot see or physically measure God, we can feel the effects of being
close to a divine presence. This closeness can manifest as warmth,
peace, purity, or a sense of purpose and direction in our lives. These
effects are real and deeply felt, even though the source remains
unseen. Much like with electricity or electrons, we have to accept
that some things in life cannot be fully understood or directly
perceived, yet their influence is undeniable.
When exploring religion, there are varying levels of depth one can
pursue.
It is wise, however, to keep things simple and focus on the
tangible effects of God in our lives, rather than becoming overly
fixated on every word or nuance in a particular holy text. There are
countless holy books from different traditions across the world, and
the possibility of universal agreement between them is slim. However,
one unifying thread is the shared experience of people feeling a
spiritual presence throughout history and across cultures. At its most
basic level, this universal sense of spirituality provides a
foundation that feels safe and accessible to all. By keeping our
approach to religion simple, we remain grounded in the profound
effects of the divine, rather than getting lost in complexities that
may divide rather than unite us.
Here is an abbreviated list of the major holy texts from
around the world.
-
Christianity:
- The Bible: Comprising the Old Testament (shared with
Judaism) and the New Testament, it is central to Christian
beliefs.
-
Judaism:
- The Torah: The foundational text of Judaism, which
includes the first five books of the Hebrew Bible.
- The Talmud: A collection of rabbinic discussions on Jewish
law, ethics, and tradition.
-
Islam:
- The Quran: Considered the word of God as revealed to
Prophet Muhammad.
- Hadith: Collections of sayings and actions of the Prophet
Muhammad.
-
Hinduism:
- The Vedas: Ancient scriptures that are among the oldest
sacred texts in the world.
- The Upanishads: Philosophical texts exploring spiritual
concepts and the nature of reality.
- The Bhagavad Gita: A spiritual and philosophical dialogue
between Lord Krishna and Prince Arjuna.
-
Buddhism:
- The Tripitaka (Pali Canon): The primary scriptures in
Theravada Buddhism.
- Mahayana Sutras: Texts central to Mahayana Buddhism, such
as the Lotus Sutra and Heart Sutra.
-
Sikhism:
- Guru Granth Sahib: The central religious scripture of
Sikhism, containing hymns and teachings of Sikh Gurus.
-
Zoroastrianism:
- The Avesta: Sacred texts that include hymns, rituals, and
religious teachings.
-
Taoism:
- Tao Te Ching: A foundational text attributed to Laozi,
focusing on Taoist philosophy and the way of life.
-
Confucianism:
- The Analects: A collection of sayings and ideas attributed
to Confucius and his disciples.
-
Shinto:
- Kojiki and Nihon Shoki: Ancient texts that contain myths
and rituals of Shinto beliefs.
-
Baha'i Faith:
- The Kitáb-i-Aqdas: The central book of laws revealed by
Bahá'u'lláh, the founder of the Baha'i Faith. There are many
other holy books.
-
Jainism:
- Agamas: Texts containing the teachings of Lord Mahavira.
-
Indigenous Traditions:
- Many indigenous spiritual traditions have oral scriptures
or sacred writings, such as the Popol Vuh of the Maya or the
Dreamtime stories of Aboriginal Australians.
-
Modern Spiritual Texts:
- Works like "A Course in Miracles" or texts from the New
Thought movement are significant to some modern spiritual
paths.
Adopting a purely belief-based approach becomes challenging when
confronted with such a vast array of material. However, we can still
experience a sense of unity through shared emotions and recognize that
the same underlying idea can be conveyed using different words.
