[Shaahayda Rizvi]

Dear Sunbug,

I’ll pick up random points from your post, and respond at my speed, if you don’t mind. You wrote, “A dear friend who was the first woman Methodist minister in NC (passed many years ago now) had a saying in one of her books which I really love: my paraphrase: That “ritual was fine, but do not be so concerned with ritual that you cage yourself from “God’s surprise.”
And just from my own experiences it’s in that area of “God’s surprise” (or whatever you wish to call it) where the unexpected and wonderous occurs.”  

Yes indeed, that’s how I met God — a surprise, I think. As Joe writes, “where you thought was abomination, you’ll find a god”.. So our image of God is what’s twisted, we think God comes all wrapped in light and wonder, justice and fairness, truth and equality, but NO!  He’s hiding in your image of abomination.  I am reminded of Jung’s view on God, “.. “I too was afraid, since we had forgotten that God too is terrible. Christ says God is love, but you should know that love is also terrible.” Surprise Surprise.

Similarly, John O’ Donohue writes, “you don’t find the divine by putting a camera on it” .

Going back to Joe’s Hero’s Journey, “And where we had thought to find an abomination, we shall find a god; where we had thought to slay another, we shall slay ourselves; where we had thought to travel outward, we shall come to the center of our own existence; where we had thought to be alone, we shall be with all the world.” This is a full and heavy package of surprises and eye-openers.

Ok dear Sunbug, now I am off to your point number two, it’s on symbols and connection.

Shaahayda