Within days, we began to find answers but from the most unlikely source: quantum physics.
What we learned turned our thinking upside down, but in the process our questions
were answered and we were dramatically changed in a wholly positive way. Between
the two of us we have overcome multiple sclerosis, lupus, a massive brain hemorrhage and brain
surgery, severe sleep apnea and relentless clinical depression. While that may appear to be quite
dramatic in itself, this is a mere side benefit next to the incomparable joy and peace that we have
found. This peace is not based on improved external circumstances, but has become
our possession no matter how much chaos swirls around us. We have traveled up our
mountain and come down again and it has become our greatest joy to assist our brothers to do
the same.
What we learned turned our thinking upside down, but in the process our questions
were answered and we were dramatically changed in a wholly positive way. Between
the two of us we have overcome multiple sclerosis, lupus, a massive brain hemorrhage and brain
surgery, severe sleep apnea and relentless clinical depression. While that may appear to be quite
dramatic in itself, this is a mere side benefit next to the incomparable joy and peace that we have
found. This peace is not based on improved external circumstances, but has become
our possession no matter how much chaos swirls around us. We have traveled up our
mountain and come down again and it has become our greatest joy to assist our brothers to do
the same.
Since we are neither scientists nor theologians what gives us the right to talk authoritatively about
quantum mechanics, the Bible and the Gnostic gospels?
Although we do have university educations, we don’t believe secular education or degrees
qualify anyone as a spiritual teacher. Choosing to hear God’s voice and respond to it
does. As all spiritual masters testify, spiritual growth is not an academic process but an
experiential one. In the introduction to his translation of the Upanishads, Eknath Easwaran
notes, “The spiritual teacher must know every inch of the way, every danger and
pitfall, and not from books or maps or hearsay. He must have traveled it himself, from
the foothills to the higher peaks. And he must have managed to get back down
again, to be able to relate to students with humility and compassion.”
quantum mechanics, the Bible and the Gnostic gospels?
Although we do have university educations, we don’t believe secular education or degrees
qualify anyone as a spiritual teacher. Choosing to hear God’s voice and respond to it
does. As all spiritual masters testify, spiritual growth is not an academic process but an
experiential one. In the introduction to his translation of the Upanishads, Eknath Easwaran
notes, “The spiritual teacher must know every inch of the way, every danger and
pitfall, and not from books or maps or hearsay. He must have traveled it himself, from
the foothills to the higher peaks. And he must have managed to get back down
again, to be able to relate to students with humility and compassion.”
Let us briefly share our story of our climb up the mountain. From early childhood, each of us had
been driven by the need to know who and what we are, what our purpose is, and most important,
who or what is the source of life that animates our universe. Brought up in fundamentalist
Christian religion, we spent the vast majority of the first twenty years of our marriage as dedicated
Christian teachers. While we found that serving others was the most satisfying aspect of our lives,
we were constantly disappointed that our faith did not result in the deep and
sustaining peace and joy we believed it should, and we failed to find satisfying
answers to our questions. Our continued questioning eventually resulted in our
excommunication and the loss of friends and family. Although we were now outside the church,
we rededicated ourselves to our search for God by delving into the secular arena, other religions.
Severe illness, family problems and our seeming failure to find God finally led us to the brink of
joint suicide. But, before carrying out the suicide pact we had made, we decided to give God one
last chance. Desperate, we prayed that we were willing to surrender all personal
preferences and preconceived ideas and accept any message, so long as God would
show us he existed and cared for us.
been driven by the need to know who and what we are, what our purpose is, and most important,
who or what is the source of life that animates our universe. Brought up in fundamentalist
Christian religion, we spent the vast majority of the first twenty years of our marriage as dedicated
Christian teachers. While we found that serving others was the most satisfying aspect of our lives,
we were constantly disappointed that our faith did not result in the deep and
sustaining peace and joy we believed it should, and we failed to find satisfying
answers to our questions. Our continued questioning eventually resulted in our
excommunication and the loss of friends and family. Although we were now outside the church,
we rededicated ourselves to our search for God by delving into the secular arena, other religions.
Severe illness, family problems and our seeming failure to find God finally led us to the brink of
joint suicide. But, before carrying out the suicide pact we had made, we decided to give God one
last chance. Desperate, we prayed that we were willing to surrender all personal
preferences and preconceived ideas and accept any message, so long as God would
show us he existed and cared for us.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
What could possibly be more important in our lives
than personal spiritual growth?
than personal spiritual growth?
| Copyright © 2007 Oroborus Books Lee and Steven Hager |
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For that reason you are certainly justified in asking what
makes us qualified to discuss the age-old questions,
“Who am I? Why am I here? Who is God?”
makes us qualified to discuss the age-old questions,
“Who am I? Why am I here? Who is God?”