RELIGIOUS ENTITY
8110 Entity CODICIL 4 - Symbolism & Ceremonies
It should be clear by now that the message of ENTITY is essentially a matter for the individual; even though it is an integral part of the relationship between members of society, and of the organization of man to further the course of civilization. The basic building block, however, must always be the single individual's contact with ENTITY. This is a truly personal relationship, decided solely by that individual; and unique to him.
The essence of the religion, therefore, lies deep within the individual. Despite this there is still an important place for organized public religion. It will continue to flourish in order to bring together those many individuals who find strength, and comfort, in sharing some of their contact with ENTITY; using the amplification provided by the presence of a congregation to focus their own concentration,
It is inevitable that, around this communal activity, there will grow up a hubbub of ceremonies and dogma. There are, for example, those who will still need the reassurance of a physical manifestation, though in our evolving society there will be a declining need for such spiritual crutches. Civilized man should be able to absorb the pure message of ENTITY without the corruption that must result from any overlaid decoration. The fog of mumbo jumbo, that has always followed the true shaman and distorted the pure religion, is an evil that needs to be fought wherever it occurs.
Yet one cannot deny the individual his refuge in ceremony and symbolism. If he finds such techniques useful in establishing contact, particularly when he is still a novice, they must have a value. Nor can we criticize these worshippers. The strength of ENTITY lies in its variety, and this flourishes in many guises; not least in the individual's personal approach to it. ENTITY has room for all. Let no man, no bigot, tell you otherwise.
It would be preferable if there were no need for such trivia in the presence of the greatness that is ENTITY. It is also true that man will ultimately learn to merge ENTITY with his own being, so that there will be the very minimum of distortion. But perfection cannot yet be achieved and to search for purity, beyond those limits which are comfortable to the individual, is to produce a vacuum. If such corruptions are to exist, therefore, let us face them with charity and forbearance. Let not, though, the individual stray too far from the essence of ENTITY, and worship false idols. In such idolatry he wastes his own talents and squanders society's gifts to him. It is to assist in establishing some acceptable conventions that the remainder of this codicil is devoted.
Even within individual contact with ENTITY there may be room for physical assistance. A talisman or charm, in itself, serves no useful purpose. It is an inanimate object with no life of its own. However, if in the process of meditation the use of such a talisman clears the mind ready to receive ENTITY, such a device may be almost a necessity for some worshippers. In this way, where all is distraction, to concentrate on the simplicity of a well known and loved object may be the most direct route to contact, and enlightenment. Similarly, ENTITY has no need of the altar, with its votive offerings. Within the home, though, a particular item may in effect become an altar, by forming a focus for the meditation that precedes contact. This object need have no special religious significance, merely a personal value that assists the individual in his struggle to interpret the mysteries of ENTITY. In time this object, be it a work of art or a mundane household object, will acquire a spiritual patina that befits its function; and will, for each individual, offer the most rapid means of establishing contact.
To suggest specific rituals for given individuals is to court disaster. At one extreme they will only exist to he ignored, at the other they will be seized upon by those who need such dogma to support their personal holy war. Despite this I will still dare to suggest that you will benefit if you can establish a pattern of formalized, daily contact with ENTITY. This needs to be regular, to avoid those prolonged lapses that we subsequently regret; but should never become mere routine.
To pay lip service to ENTITY is to waste your time, and. your life, Each approach, each contact, should be a novel experience, and needs to be won afresh,
In the morning such contact will prepare you for the rigours of the day. In the evening, before sleep, it will help put in perspective what you have achieved; and show you what still has to be done.
Each session need last but a few minutes. Only the individual can judge what are his abilities; or what he looks for.
Daily contact is virtually a necessity for most people, since the spiritual refreshment so received will provide the basic sustenance to face each new challenge that the day brings.
The guidance that flows through each contact lays the foundation for the myriad small decisions which occur in every twenty four hours; and ensures a smooth progress to the ultimate record on ENTITY. Such contact should, though, not be purely one way. It is true that each person has the right to refresh himself at the spring of ENTITY. In return, though, he also has a duty to contribute to the growing pool that is, again, ENTITY. In the widest context, this is his contribution to the infinite resource of ENTITY. In a more parochial perspective, it is his gift to the well-being of the community.
The harmony of each group, be it a local community, a nation, or the planet-wide body of mankind, is determined by the combined contributions of its members to ENTITY. Each individual, therefore, has a sacred duty to deliberately contribute his own well judged, and well balanced, thoughts to strengthen the underlying foundations of society that are ENTITY. Let him shirk this duty only if he is willing risk the collapse of the society upon which he depends.
If this contribution is synchronized to occur at the same time as that of fellow worshippers, it is possible that the resonance of their thoughts may stimulate the whole of the community to a more creative, and a more productive, life.
I will reiterate, though, that the form of this contact is the prerogative of the individual. It needs no special environment, except that which the individual chooses.
The same holds true of the public congregations. There can be no fixed format, since the needs of each community will differ. Each society will choose its own salvation, and will put a different stress on its devotions.
If the building in which the congregation meets is a masterpiece, and the focus of their common devotions is a priceless work of art, then this may be used to aid their contact with ENTITY.
Alternatively, a society that places greater priority upon the physical health of the community throughout the whole week may use its resources to provide a space that is shared by all community activities. Here the space may be merely used as a meeting hall for the religious occasion when necessary. This solution is no less valid, and may well be better suited to the needs of that community. Each solution has its benefits, but only in relation to the community being served. No one solution can form the master plan for all societies throughout all time.
The frequency of communal worship also cannot be legislated for. Some will find no need ever to attend such a ceremony. A few will need public reassurance daily. It is not unreasonable however, that such commitments should be a special feature of the Sabbath. To each, though, is the responsibility for his own choice.
The form of service is, again, totally at the choosing of the community. The essence of it will, of course, be the session of communal meditation leading to contact. There need be no set pattern for this prayer or meditation. It can be in complete silence and in all enveloping darkness, or it can result from a cadenza of chanting focused on a central ceremony of great splendour.
One possible form would have three such sessions progressively devoted to contemplation of the individual, the local community and the global of mankind. If such sessions can be synchronized with those in other groups then so much the better, The prayer may resonate throughout the universe. But, again, it must be stressed that over-ritualized ceremony can stifle the real religion. The context of each of these sessions will be determined by the culture of the group. The only requirement is that the structure that surrounds it, as the gold mounting supports the gem, should provide the best environment for the contact. The prologue may be an artistic experience perhaps based on the performing arts or involving the whole congregation. It may be a cry of political passion, a lecture or a discussion on the events being contemplated. It may be spontaneously delivered by an individual, laboriously prepared by the clergy, or publicly transmitted by the mass media. The possible variety is endless, and is the strength.
In the special circumstances where your practice of ENTITY is new you may need correspondingly special support, Although it is essentially a personal religion, you, as a novice, have the right to demand the support from those with more experience; to guide you through the maze to the serenity that comes from, experienced contact.
Do not though wait for missionaries to beat a path to your door. It is not a religion that demands converts, None should try to impose ENTITY, neither should they seek to overzealously persuade the uninitiated. The strength comes from the individual personal choice, unswayed by the passions of others. The duty is to explain, to teach; with inevitable enthusiasm but without the dogma that leads ultimately to the holy war. You must, therefore, seek out your fellow devotees. This may be no easy task if they choose not to advertise their existence too obviously. It may even be that you can establish no such support, and your resolve may, understandably, falter.
There may be comfort in support, but the only true resource needed is that of ENITY With the strength of your inner resolve you may still conquer all, to make your personal compact with ENTITY; and the bond will be that much stronger for the struggle that has preceded it, Then, and only then, may you justifiably see yourself as a local focus for ENTITY; and prepare, in turn, to assist other novices. Remembering your own struggles you will be best placed to help others achieve their true potential.
You have every right to maintain a cloak of secrecy. ENTITY is purely personal. Yet the gift is to be shared. To be true to the generosity that has been heaped on you, there should be similar generosity on your part. By whatever media, you should provide a spiritual lighthouse to guide others to shelter. Your church may be a simple living room, where no more than two are gathered together. It will still be, though, the nucleus of a burgeoning new religion.
Finally, we must choose the symbols that epitomize all that is meant by ENTITY. These are the badges that some will wish to display, to demonstrate their membership of a uniquely important community, The badges are, of course, unnecessary, but not harmful unless that community believes they demonstrate, a form of superiority. Humility, true humility, is the only badge worth wearing.
To symbolize ENTITY I personally choose the simplest of symbols. As with all that involves ENTITY, this is strictly a personal choice. My first device is that of the circle, or sphere, which is simultaneously finite and infinite. Jointly with this, I also choose the cone; which starts with the zero that is below the smallest particle, and grows to encompass the universe. The symbolism embodied in my choices can be extended to depict the growth of the individual from the single cell, and the whole of society from the individual; until civilization has conquered all the challenges of the universe, The circle, with its perfect harmony and symmetry, can enclose all the other symbols that each man may wish to make his own, The star and the cross can both fit as comfortably within the circle, and coexist peacefully.
Infinity is beyond our comprehension. It is, therefore, on the other end of the scale, the single cell of ENTITY that is man, we need to focus our attention. ENTITY is the
individual.
The church of ENTITY is, therefore, best described as the church of TOTAL MAN.
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