One

As part of my spiritual inquiry I've been looking for the common thread in our world's religions, believing that what is common to us all must be closer to a "real" God. Perhaps the answer is mysticism.

When I was in a fundamentalist Baptist bible college and you mentioned the word "mysticism" the professors gave you the raised eyebrow and wondered if you'd been puffin' the green after chapel. I was told once by the guy preaching in our church that God didn't actively communicate with people in our time and anyone who thought so was in serious error because all we needed was "God's word". Fundamentalism at its best.

On the other hand I've watched things like The Secret and What the Bleep that tries to merge mysticism and science but really is just a form of magic in disguise. I've hung with good meaning, but irrational people who told us we shouldn't eat any candy for two weeks after Halloween because it was "the Devil's candy." Irrationality at its best.

But there are mystics who have transcended both fundamentalism and irrationality. There are people in this world who have delved into the interior of themselves, and interestingly, all found similar things.

Trish and I stumbled across "One: The Movie" this week. It is a documentary inspired by a guy who woke up one morning with an idea: To make a movie that asks people on the street 20 important questions about life. The problem was he had no experience in the film industry. With no experience and little budget he set out and winds up getting interviews with not just people on the street, but some of the greatest mystics of our time. If you are seeking a broad view of spirituality and mysticism I would recommend it.

Here's what I liked and noticed:

The movie is a view of the spiritual landscape from a pluralistic point of view. Mystic strains of Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Sufism etc. are all presented with an open point of view. If you would like to see how people from a postmodern/pluralistic worldview view spirituality, this is as good as any.

I've been interested in what is common among world religions. Mysticism is one of the obvious candidates. EVERY major religion has a form of mysticism, and interestingly enough, they all have come to very similar conclusions.

In my experience Christianity has caused more issues then it has helped, however, I think the issue is really fundamentalism. In this movie the Christian and Islamic fundamentalist have very small, trite answers to the big questions of life. For instance, when asked about the meaning of life the fundamentalist says it is to "make a decision to accept Jesus or not". Sigh...I understand where he coming from, but that answer is just not satisfactory to me today. I see a world to diverse and complex for that answer to work for me today.

When asked to describe God, or what is the meaning of life? those with smaller worldviews have clear-cut answers; those with real knowledge can't help but laugh. I can't help but giggle when I hear the first guy's response in the clip below.

Life lived with intense awareness of the hear-and-now is amazing.

The oneness in the middle of our uniqueness is beautiful and God-filled.

Is there a difference in the questions: What is the meaning of life? and What is the meaning in life?

What is the meaning of life?

Describe God.