Awhile back, after watching the movie by the same name, I picked up Neale Walsch’s, Conversations with God. I was intrigued by Walsch’s journey. Not because he went from homelessness into fame and fortune upon publication of his book, but because of the dramatic changes that took place in his character and life view. A homeless guy gone rich and famous overnight isn’t all that impressive…unless something also revolutionizes him on the inside.
The movie was more the story of Walsch’s life—what happened to make him homeless and how he came to write the book. The book itself chronicles his alleged “conversations with God”—tangible interactions where Walsch claims God one day started answering his prolific life questions, dictation style. Walsch went on to publish these conversations, which is how he got so rich and famous. Obviously, the book sounded worth checking out on the merit of its becoming a national best seller.
Though there have been a few rough spots—areas where I have a hard time buying Walsch’s “answers from God,” I have to admit that for the most part it’s good—really good. It certainly sounds like a book written by someone with profound, experienced understanding into the mysteries and complexities of life—things that wise sages and masters spend a lifetime acquiring. For that reason, I’m going to spend some time blogging about certain concepts in the book (both ones I agree with and ones I don’t), perhaps relating the book to my life and experiences.
So here goes. Question #1: How can something that just sounds plain wrong quite possibly be perfectly right? Walsch, speaking to God:
Walsch: Why do some people, take Christ, for example, seem to hear more of Your communication than others?
God: Because some people are willing to actually listen. They are willing to hear, and they are willing to remain open to the communication even when it seems scary, or crazy, or downright wrong.
Walsch: We should listen to God even when what’s being said seems wrong?
God: Especially when it seems wrong. If you think you are right about everything, who needs to talk with God? …Obviously there’s something you don’t understand. That which you do understand must seem right to you, because “right” is a term you use to designate something with which you agree. What you’ve missed will, therefore, appear at first to be “wrong.”
The only way to move forward on this is to ask yourself, “What would happen if everything I thought was ‘wrong’ was actually ‘right’?” Every great scientist knows about this. When what a scientist does is not working, a scientist sets aside all of the assumptions and starts over. All great discoveries have been made from a willingness, and ability, to not be right.
Religious experts—both occupational and every day Joes—would do well to borrow such an idea from the science world. When the observable data you have is not working within the confines of your theory, throw out what you have thought or heard so far and start over. Having said that, the general science world is just as guilty as the religious world in forcing pieces to fit their hypothesis. Notice above it says, “every GREAT scientist,” great men and women who are willing to buck the system and search for answers outside the box.
Enter Nassim Haramein. From the time he was a wee lad of ten or so, he began questioning his math teachers who offered “facts” that just did not fit with observable reason. As an adult scientist, Haramein began searching outside the box for answers, much to the criticism and rejection of the science community.
Perhaps he is best known for his creative contribution to the search for what scientists hope to identify as “the God particle”—that one thing in the universe that ties everything together. In an incredibly profound and inspiring search, Haramein decided that, rather than look at what IS there (matter and particles), how about looking at what is “not there,” as in, empty space. After all, reasoned Harmein, the universe is 99.99999999% empty space, isn’t that a better place to look for answers of connectedness?
The results of his search are phenomenal, but don’t take my word for it. Watch this super inspiring video for yourself, entitled, “The Black Whole.” You need not be a science geek to understand the basics and beauty of Haramein’s theory. He arranges plenty of concepts down on “the cookie shelf” for simpletons like myself.
https://vimeo.com/43083752#at=0In closing, I’d like to get a bit closer to home on my own journey of what sounds right compared to what is right in matters of God. In my late 20s, after years of a very devoted and wholehearted relationship with God (as I understood him), I came to a startling realization. The faithfully-followed religious system of my childhood wasn’t working. I often described myself as “a salesperson who doesn’t believe in my own products.” My marriage was empty, I felt like a failure as a parent, and I struggled powerlessly with addictions, anger, and depression—in short my life was an out of control, lonely mess. I remember frequently begging God to change me. I didn’t even ask Him to change my circumstances but nevertheless, the skies were silent.
Fast forward to my life of the past four years. In February of 2009, I perceived God asking me to the unthinkable—to push the delete button of my faith beliefs and start over on a different foundation. To say that this was a scary, unsettling time is the understatement, but it is also a bit ironic since the very place I was being invited was to an understanding that there really is NO FEAR IN LOVE, but PERFECT LOVE CASTS OUT ALL FEAR (novel concept since I’d quoted that verse all my life but didn’t actually understand it or believe it). This call to make a shift in my entire world view was totally unexpected. But what did I have to lose just to LISTEN to a different perspective than the one I’d been immersed in all my life? I told God I was willing if He promised not to let me lose my way. “Piece of cake. I can do that,” He said in one of my own conversations with God.
What a joyful and liberating risk. My life has expanded and exploded with love, light, and freedom like never before in all my years of being sure I was right and not listening to any opinion but my own. I think Walsch heard right, and I have come to agree with his God-voice on this one:
All great discoveries have been made from a willingness, and ability, to not be right. Thank God for being wrong. My life opens before me like a garden in springtime.