What God Has Joined Together

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What God Has Joined Together

    Larry Krantz:  We come to present ourselves before the Lord in this sacred gathering place, each bringing our finest expression, not only now but all the time, although in a collective gathering such as this we have a particular opportunity for creative achievement.

    I'd like to pick up a thread from something Sanford said about the need for balance between the right brain and the left brain. The left brain is described as logical, sequential, rational, analytical, objective and focused more on the parts. It is thought of as more masculine. The right brain is said to be random, intuitive, holistic, subjective, and looks at the whole. It is more feminine.

    The two halves make a whole. Within each of us, we have these two parts-the masculine and feminine ways of seeing the world. The feminine part tends to be dominant in ladies and the masculine view dominant in men. Yet, we each have both. There is a need for balance between the two. It is like walking, going from an imbalanced state on one leg to an imbalanced state on the other leg, back and forth. In this way, we move forward, with poise, balance and even gracefulness. If you stand on one leg for too long, you'll lose your balance. There is an art to finding the proper balance for each of us, in every unique moment, as a man or woman.

    This information about the halves of the brain is considered a new revelation, based on modern technology-MRIs, PET scans and other neurological tests. Like so many things in this world, there is nothing new under the Sun. I am reminded of Taoism, with which some of you are familiar. Taoism is neither religion nor philosophy, but a way of life. It speaks of yin and yang-complementary opposites within a greater whole. You may know the symbols of Taoism, as seen on the South Korean flag, particularly the divided circle. It contains two blobs that taper off into tails and seem to be chasing each other around the circle-very dynamic! There are also the symbols of yin and yang from the I Ching. The male symbol has solid lines. The female symbol has delicate, broken lines. It is ironic that South Korea recognizes the oneness of these two halves yet is part of a divided country where the north and south hardly speak to each other. Perhaps that is indicative of the broken human state.

    From Taoism have come martial arts, Chinese alchemy, and feng shui-which Alan spoke about recently. The Taoist view is that everything has both yin and yang aspects, similar to the left-brain and right-brain view. Yin is said to be slow, soft, tranquil, diffused, feminine and night. Yang is fast, hard, aggressive, masculine and daytime. While the Taoists view a duality, they see the two halves working together in complementation. This is different from the view many people have of duality, which they see as conflicting-such as good and evil, or male and female. Some suggest that there cannot be good without evil and that there is an ongoing struggle as these competing forces fight for control. That is not the view of Taoism. Both halves are necessary and a balance must be maintained. Tao speaks of wu wei, which is action without action, or effortless doing, and is only possible when there is alignment with the Tao.

    We could substitute the word, "Tone," for Tao. When there is alignment with the Tone, we experience effortless effort. There is an easy flow to life. Things happen naturally. When one is in the flow of Tao, a person is in harmony with the universe. The best-known work on Taoism was written by Lao Tzu more than three centuries before Jesus walked the Earth. His writings are called the Tao Te Ching. I'd like to read the first two verses, which seem mysterious and inscrutable to most people, but should make sense to us. "The way that can be described is not the true way. The name that can be named is not the constant name." Lao Tzu realized that the Tao, or the Tone, is at a level above the mind.

    Human nature lives in a two-dimensional world-body and mind. It wants to describe and define everything with the mind, write down rules, to manage the universe by mental effort. But, the Tone emerges from spirit, from a higher level, which cannot be encompassed by the mind. The way that can be described or defined by the mind is not the true way. The mind can share in the true way, but what is lower cannot encompass what is higher. What is higher can permeate and encompass lower levels. The mind can share in the Truth but not contain the vastness of spirit.

    A small incident happened a few days ago, which caused me to think about relationships. We were invited to the home of some friends for a party. They have a dog that was out of control, barking constantly, to the frustration of the dog owners. They threatened to lock him in a room so there would be quiet for the guests. I decided to check out this canine miscreant and went to the dog, bent over and petted him, letting him sense my presence. When I stood up, the dog barked. I looked at the dog sternly, held up a finger and said, "Quiet." Lo and behold, the dog sat down and was quiet. The owner happened to be standing next to me; he said, "Don't bother. That dog is untrainable." I thought-but did not say-that the only one untrainable was the dog owner. This unhappy canine needed guidance and loving control.

    An important relationship is between Creator and creation. Mankind represents the Creator and should have dominion over the Earth. When people are not in balance, in wrong identity, they don't know how to extend clear dominion over the creation-including dogs. You may have seen, as I have, people who are frustrated with misbehaving dogs and become cruel or callus toward their pet, which makes the dog act more antisocially. Others, out of balance another way, give the dog free rein to do what it wants without any real control. This makes for an unhappy dog, placed in an uncomfortable position, positive to the human. Their natural place is to be responsive. When there is clear, loving dominion extended to a dog, the dog responds and feels safe. On that basis, there can be a wonderful relationship between human and dog-great loyalty and love at that level. The same is true for all animals and the rest of the natural world.

    Mankind has tried to dominate the Earth for its own short-sighted needs-cutting down forests, putting chemicals into the soil, diverting rivers-arbitrarily taking what it wants from the Earth. Little wonder there is distrust on the part of the natural world for humans, because divine Man isn't present. Nature flees from fallen man, yet longs for divine Man's control and partnership. If allowed to, nature would bring forth in abundance, which is its true expression-the abundance of Life-in ways, and with forms, that we could not imagine in the world as it now is.

    The most intimate relationship any of us know is within ourselves, between mind and heart. Any other relationship emerges from there. Mind and heart are torn by distrust, just as there is distrust between men and women, a struggle for control based in disharmony. It is said that the Fall began when the woman, or the heart, wanted to do something separate from the Tone. The man, or the mind, agreed with the distortion rather than correct it, and pointed the finger of blame elsewhere, making excuses. This mechanism has kept mankind in the fallen state. It occurs routinely now and is considered normal behavior. Emotions, or feelings, compel us to act a certain way, perhaps based on a sense of inferiority or jealousy or fear or something of that ilk. Following that compulsion, we say or do something off Tone and then rationalize it. A person might say, "He had it coming," or, "This is why I did that." This might involve one person, a group, or a nation. On the basis of internal or external discord, people do terrible things and act with cruelty to other people and nature.

    If there is going to be healing of relationships, it begins within oneself, letting the heart and mind stay centered in the Tone. If a feeling emerges which isn't right, it can be stopped and a person not act or say anything off Tone, to that person's highest vision. If that opportunity is missed and the person does something off Tone, there is a second chance to correct the situation with the conscious mind. A person can admit acting wrongly and change one's behavior in the future.

    We can extend loving dominion over the earth closest to us, our own mind and heart-thus stewarding our outer capacities. They should work together, in the one way. Healing of heart and mind brings internal alignment with divine purpose and ascension in consciousness. Fine substance can thus be generated, and if maintained, establish a basis for acting on right feelings and allow the mind to be filled with the spirit of Truth-no longer having to scramble to justify wrong actions.

    From the moment of the Fall, wrong actions disturbed the connecting substance between the invisible realm and the visible realm. The heaven was no longer seen with crystal clarity. Mistrust developed between heart and mind, man and woman. What was present in the undimensional world was mistranslated and then this inaccurate pattern was rationalized and justified, which further obscured what was present in heaven, and thus what was needed in the Earth. In time, the realm of heaven seemed so far away that people lost sight of it. A veil of disturbed connecting substance hid the undimensional realm from view. This is the world in which we live. People lack internal control and have little connection with the way, with the Tone. In this state of unknowing, odd theories and speculations have emerged about heaven and what happens after you die, religious and philosophical concepts that are twisted by human nature thrashing around in darkness but pretending to see. We can allow healing at the core of ourselves, between heart and mind, and let the connecting substance clarify. Heaven has not gone anywhere-humans have!

    In this regard, there is a saying that we hear at weddings: "What God has joined together, let no man put asunder." That is true. But the question is: What has God joined together? How can we know when people move into a relationship of any kind that it is what God would join together for His creative purpose? Can we follow some belief or written guide, a priest or parent?

    No, it is a matter of spiritual perception for each of us. Since most people have very coarse substance around them, their perceptions are muddied or colored. Many associations are not in the design of life; they are unholy and don't serve Life's purposes. This includes relationships between people and with the natural world. Fallen man's relations are based on personal wants and guessing, and often filled with conflict and heartache. What is needed is a deep sensing of Life's movement, of the Tao, the Tone, to know deeply what is needed for the whole, which is what God would join together.

    Relationships should be entered into without expectations, without a preview of how long a relationship should last, or how intense or personal it should be, or not be. If the mind and heart are clear and in agreement, there will be a right sensing of the cycle of a relationship-whether with a tree, a dog, a business associate, or an intimate pairing. On this basis, unique configurations will emerge, to the glory of God, and for achievement in the whole. When this is the case, all parties share in fulfillment and purpose.

    Relationships are magical. They are an exciting voyage of discovery and exploration. When God has joined people together, in any combination, it permits a dance that is meaningful and wonderful, and enjoyable to everyone. This requires sensitivity to find the optimal distance in a relationship. Too distant, or too close, will be uncomfortable and wrong. In any moment, there is the perfect spacing and, on occasion, a merging. Spiritual things are spiritually perceived. To do that, one must let go of preconceived ideas or personal preferences. Truth, a sense of what is fitting, emerges in the moment. This is part of the adventure of discovery and may be full of surprises.

    When relationships are at the right distance and centered in what emerges from heaven, there will be a maximum release of radiation. They will be holy and meaningful. It will be easy and natural. When there are no expectations, no strings attached, movement in and out of relationships should be part of the flow of Life, moving from one creative opportunity to another. Cycles may be brief or lengthy. The duration should not matter to the individual if there is a thankful heart for what was, what is, and what is yet unknown in experience. In the flow, one may know effortless effort, which is the way of the Tao, the way of Life.

    Intimate relationships produce intense radiation. It may be creative or destructive, depending on whether the union is holy, or unholy-as most are these days. Distorted radiation of this type, from human nature pairings, each with their mistranslations and personal agendas, has produced much of the misery in the world, including destructive weather patterns and disease and suffering. When there is the proper distance in a relationship and easy movement in the whole, then wonderful, intense, creative radiation may be released. Relationships are part of the natural creativity of divine men and women. What is known by those who are responsive to the Tone is beautiful and healing and joyful to all involved. It is part of the creative expression of men and women, a blending of mind and heart, of yin and yang-oneness shared, to the glory of God.

    The greatest release of energy in the universe comes from stars, like our Sun. This radiation is immense and covers a full spectrum, only partially measurable by mankind. Science tells us that this release of energy comes from nuclear fusion, which happens when two hydrogen atoms fuse and become one helium atom. This is a very intense relationship, a merging into oneness, producing something new. It is transmutation and true alchemy. Two hydrogens transform into a new element-helium, thereby releasing tremendous energy, which, among other things, bathes and warms our planet. Relationships follow a pattern of attraction, union, and unified radiation, whether at the atomic level or between people. A shared oneness, when joined together by spirit, produces a creative fire, an intensity that may transform and change the world.

    There is healing to be done, beginning with our own minds and hearts. We may walk in balance, rejoicing in the yin and yang of all things, male and female, moving in the way of Life. The differing views combine to paint a complete picture. Living in balance, with sacred relationships of all types, is fun and exciting, and holy and creative. What a great opportunity we have to be alive on earth right now. Let us translate the Tone accurately, that divine man and woman may walk the Earth, in balance, knowing a deep sense of fulfillment and purpose.