Materialism vs Unconscious Realities
The stress of survival in our modern age can be a difficult struggle if perspective is continually adjusted to the physical realm. Easily deceived by our eyes and ears, we often play the role of victim in relation to our delicately balanced system of life on earth. The manifestation of fear causes us to deceive ourselves and others when we are mislead by fear itself. When something is off, ask yourself, "what am I afraid of"?
How can one take care when things in the material realm become challenging, while remaining cognizant of other equally as important aspects of reality? The answer is within the question. Consciousness of the unconscious is always a learning process, but the payoff is worth the effort. In giving our daily attention or devotion to such matters, we save ourselves from a definitive end in the conscious material world. This change of focus is something that refines with dedication, like all arts. Never stop learning and asking questions. From one clearing, you cut out another, continuing on a path of understanding, or at least experiencing the grace of the universal spirit we all feel. If you don't feel it, TAP IN! Give. You will. Give time in service to others, and to yourself. Meditate on your breath and on where your life is headed. This is the beginning.
Authority
We tell ourselves that authorities are limiting our choices, and then try to work within the parameters which our intellectual mind tells us are "real". The only authority that exists, is the one that we recognize as "authority".
Jesus was a great example of this. There was no authority over him. He did submit to the many complex systems of authority that existed during his physical life. The Jewish authority gave him over to the Roman authority, and they colluded in their own terms to find him guilty of things which we now know meant very little. Imagine in our time, someone being brought before a Supreme Court judge for claiming to be a king. Would we not just dismiss him as crazy, and let it be? It likely depends on how much trouble his followers were causing for those in "power".
These trumped up charges can always be made. In our time, one might instead be accused of being a "terrorist", or enemy of the state, because their ideas and lifestyle conflicts on a rudimentary level from that of an egocentric capitalist society, where self and possessions are of the highest import and priority. This kind of thinking is the result of materialism - too much emphasis on intellectual and physical perceptions.
There are no court systems or authorities recognized by our state that can hold one accountable for spiritual or emotional terrorism. Those things are guarded by the mind and spirit themselves. When we take part in communication with those such as Pilot or the Pharisees, we do so at our own risk. This was the battleground where Jesus found himself. Spiritually, he won. Look at the result. Christian organizations all over the world defy the authority of those who ignore the sick, the homeless, and those in prison.
Recognizing the value in all, regardless of status is a prerequisite for this kind of "rebellion". Capitalism and socialism always ask for something in return. There is no understanding that the individual has innate value regardless of return in such material systems.
Charity
Regardless of the fallibility of the religious institutions that claim to represent God, they often get one important part of the message right: this world offers far more than is revealed on the surface. The kindness and charity they offer has a real place that socialism, capitalism, or democracy has yet to fulfill. While these institutions might offer a helping hand to those in need without asking anything much in return for the individuals receiving the benefits, they do not supply the main ingredient. The absence of physical authority. Charity is an upwardly mobile agent that overflows in abundance, nourishing the needy with the love selflessness they need to then go out and, themselves, give in both the physical and spiritual realms. This is why we give unconditionally to those in need. Our needs are also met unconditionally. To recognize this, we need only to take a deep breath, and continue life a few moments more.
