SPIRITUAL OCD, aka: One Way Syndrome, the Petrified Path

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Yes, I did have 3 titles and couldn't decide so I used them all!

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While reading something by a youngish, dedicated medium, I came across a reference to them talking to a friend about aspects of spiritual development. The friend shared that experiences with psilocybin were helping him advance spiritually.

Young medium took umbrage at this, saying that equating drug-induced hallucinations with spiritual visions minimized true mystical experience. Then they went on to say that ceremonial drug use amongst native peoples, because it was done in the context of a religious practice, could certainly generate personal growth, but laying up in the bed and doing shrooms is not the same as having a spiritual revelation during a religious ritual.

 

WHY NOT?

Young Medium is OCD and was raised a Christian and went on about the body being "a temple" and the spiritual journey has no "shortcuts." I'm wondering why the native peoples' bodies aren't temples or do they become that when they are zoned out on whatever hallucinogen is native to their ecosystem?

And they taking a religious shortcut because they aren't a 20-something American kid in La Jolla?

Which brings me to Mary and Martha, as so many things do. Maybe it wasn't just that Martha had all the serving to do, because she would have had servants. It seems like her real issue was Mary's scandalous behavior, way outside the acceptable lines for a decent Hebrew woman. She was sitting with the men, at the feet of an  unmarried adult man! 

And besides, that Jesus couldn't be some great thing if He didn't correct her and send her to the kitchen! So she confronted Jesus, the honored guest, not Mary. Which is pretty much also a serious cultural faux pas. If she wanted male support she could have asked her brother. Instead:

40 Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.”

41The Lord said to her in reply, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. 

That's from Luke 10. Jesus knew her thoughts, of course and all about her. The first thing He says is that she is anxious about many things. 

Young Medium is also anxious about many things. Like defining a true spiritual experience. Like not offending the liberal reader who might think he was criticizing Native Americans. Like maybe thinking he was "doing as much work as possible" every day, as he said at one point, and mushroom boy was getting the same benefit? Like the men working the fields all day getting the same wages as the ones who only worked one hour? Like the prodigal son getting a party and the hard-working, always obedient son didn't?

OK. he oldest post is from Nov 2011 when I first wrote pages, but my profile says I've only been here a year.

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I was going to put a surprised face on here but I saw the horses first and I love the picture. I changed my screen name last year and then I found out of you edit an old post it says the date you update and now I'm sort of frozen in posting anything.

So I'm not touching the pages or adding all the stuff that happened later. I invited a guest. There are I think 2 big NDE sites where you can post NDEs. There aren't any big miracle/vision sites. If there are they're tied to some denominational lot of demon theory and cosmic death coma and... 

I have no home! (But here) I was going to post a funny crying picture but it would probably just be a bunch of marigolds.

Or one.

THE CHURCH NEVER SAYS ANYONE IS GOING TO HELL

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I put the title in all caps because I don't want anyone to miss the point. For all we know, Hell (whatever that is in Eternity) is empty.

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Now, I'll tell you something even more surprising:

Jesus never spoke about Hell that we know of. Never said the word that anyone recorded.

But that can't be right, can it?  The word "hell" is right there in Scripture!

The English word is. But not the Greek word. The Gospels are written in Greek.

I was Just Going to Bed when I Stopped to close this Blog and realized, it's still my favorite place to be...

It's the colors and layout and familiarity and it doesn't demand anything of me or nag me about monetization. I'm writing about this in r/unbannablechristian but falling asleep in my chair.

So I'll leave it here. People will get it or not. 

Talk to y'all soon. 

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IT'S STILL OCTOBER, BUT IT'S 2025

The post from last October is below but the podcast is pretty much gone. Or will be all gone shortly, as I reverted to a free account and Buzzsprout only keeps those up for 90 days.

It was just too much time when I had so much other stuff to do and other issues to deal with. 

Listen, I know how bad it's getting, I know it will get worse and unbelievable darkness will come. Hard to believe what's going on now. But this is the time of faith and more hope than ever before, because this is that predicted darkness that precedes the greatest possible Light.

We have to be kinder, less fearful, more compassionate and generous. Stop judging - this from the one for whom judgement is my most stubborn sin - focus on those around you, caring for yourself and them. Including the ones you don't like.

Get your flu shot and plan to live long and well.  

Your Metaphysical Christian Contemplative - you are beloved - 

 

from Oct 2024: 

I was going to do two new podcasts this week-end and then for the first time, I clicked one of the names of the platforms that have the episodes, like Spotify and found out - YOU CAN'T HEAR THEM.

So, now they are are all much louder, listen well (I checked) but when you increase those dBs, suddenly a lot of hidden clicks and hissses emerge. (Yes, "hisses" actually has 4 esses, sometimes more, when I say it.) So, that's what took so long.

Today I'll record as soon as everyone is in bed. A lot of my visions are about the way things work between Time and Eternity. There's all this guessing and assuming. I don't think the world really needs one more contemplative telling them everyone eventually will be oned with God or that He is Love. But what happens and how and why is a lot of what Jesus talked about and people are missing the point.

There was a question on Galatians 6:8 in r/ChristianUniversalism today and part of my answer was:

The thing most people don't think about is that we are eternal beings, not after we die, right now. The Kingdom is right here, among us. We receive from Eternity through the Spirit, graces and information in this life.

The very fact that visionaries and mystics exist, that miracles happen, that consolations are given, is testimony to this essential fact about the way the Universe works. So first, I think I'll put aside the series in the Tribulation and just do "The Way Things Work."

Jesus talked about that all the time, He only spoke of tribulation and Parousia a couple times. So I guess this should come first. And - it leads right into the other.

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WHAT I BELIEVE

As you can see, I haven't posted here in quite a while.  The comments section of the previous very simple template didn't allow for replying to individual posts and made exchange of ideas quite difficult. I felt like I needed to update things a bit, so here is the new, simplified version of the blog. I hope everyone finds it easier to comment and connect.

I am a proponent of Truth. I'm not sure I always know what that is, when written with a capital "T."  I am also, however,  proponent of facts and freedom.

The Corporate Roman Catholic Church, that is, the physical hierarchical set of persons that take it upon themselves to make rules for the rest of humanity is corrupt. Power corrupts. That's inevitable. Some Popes have been great villains, committed heinous, despicable acts. True for all ranks of persons in the cRCC.  Bishops, having so much power, are especially vulnerable. Which is not to deny the presence of great spiritual warriors in the cRCC. There has also always been Light.

This is no attack on the Church.  It's just a statement of fact.  What is also factual, IMO, is that each of us is responsible for our own salvation. If you are not following Christ, not feeding the hungry and clothing the naked, refraining from judgement and praying in a closet and taking the last seat at the table, you cannot expect to be excused by God because some corporate body, a Bishop, a self-appointed expert on Christianity, said it was okay.

It's not okay. Not because I say it's not okay, but because Christ did. Our Savior didn't tell us to go to Mass every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation. He didn't tell us to confess or not masturbate or say a Rosary.

He told us to love one another.  Serve one another. Feed, clothe, visit the imprisoned. Pray. Pray. Pray. He gave us the Eucharist.  He didn't say it was the exclusive province of anyone. He didn't say who should and shouldn't receive.

It seems quite simple and anyone or anything that represses the simple message of Christ is just another in that nest of vipers blocking access to the fullness of life in God forever.

This is what I believe. I wanted to make it perfectly clear. 

Our History-Making Pope

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CNN PAGE ON THE POPE'S RESIGNATION

It occurred to me a while ago that the Pope is a very old man isolated amongst a savage pride of lions: powerful, ambitious and corrupt men.

Telling no one, he planned a public announcement: he will resign.

As of Feb. 11, 2013, 67 of the 118 cardinal electors were appointed by Benedict. The rest were appointed by John Paul II. 

From: "Papal Transition" America Magazine  The vast majority of these Cardinals are under 80 years of age.   Because we are weeks from the date of resignation, all Cardinals have time to make their way to Rome by the resignation date so that the Conclave can begin at once.   All, we assume, will call upon the Pope before he retires.  All, I hope, will know the preference of the Pope for his successor.  Today, Vatican news announced the Pope will have a "farewell gathering" with the Cardinals on February 28th.

This Pope wants someone in place before Easter, and the Cardinals are already going to be winging their way to Vatican City.  What was most interesting in the story, was this:

Also during the course of the question and answer session following the briefing proper, Fr. Lombardi reaffirmed that Pope Benedict will be returning to live a life of prayer and reflection in the Vatican... 

I'll bet. It's like a clockwork, a well-thought plan to shepherd us through the coming tribulations, executed at speed and under the time demands of the Lenten season to get a Pope in place long before Easter.  .

In a recent address (which I'm having trouble finding a link to) Pope Benedict XVI said that the Church had plenty of structure, what the Church lacks is enough spirituality.  With his comments on the importance of the novissimi as he interpreted the 3rd secret of Fatima, I'm wondering when someone will trust us enough to let us in on the actual Secret and finally, over 50 years later, tell us what Mary wanted us to know.

It's going to be an interesting 8 weeks.

The "Smaller Church" Takes Shape

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Joseph Ratzinger (Benedict XVI), from his book Faith and the Future

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Then Cardinal Ratzinger wrote this in 1971.  Today (Oct 18th, 2012) over 40 years later, this article appeared: Vienna archdiocese to cut parishes by 75 per cent  which was referenced in a CAF thread of the same name.  Notice this is happening in Vienna, in the country of the Pope's birth and greatest influence.  Here's an excerpt:

The archdiocese’s 660 parishes will be merged over the next decade into around 150 larger parishes, each served by three to five priests and offering regular Masses.

Mr Prüller told the American Catholic News Service that falling numbers of clergy and laity had made the changes necessary. He said smaller affiliated communities within the parishes will be run by lay volunteers authorised to conduct the Liturgy of the Word. 

Prüller said archdiocesan bishops would draft the new parish boundaries and steps for implementing the reorganisation by January 1.

“The Church’s mission of apostolate and evangelisation isn’t just the responsibility of parish priests, but of the whole community of baptised and confirmed. If this reorganisation creates more vibrant Christian communities, praying, celebrating Mass, conducting mission and helping the needy together, then it could offer a model for Church reforms throughout Europe.”

“This is about a new cooperation between priests and laity from their common Christian vocation,” the cardinal told the news conference, which was reported by Austria’s Kathpress news agency. 

“We have to free ourselves of the traditional image that the Church is present only where there’s a priest and stress the common priesthood of all baptised,” he said.

The operative word is "if." Sounds good. Sounds like something I'd like.  But people who want to run things are usually the last people you want to run things and the lay people who show up are going to not necessarily be anyone we'd want leading us. The average parishioner will just be glad those Communion services are so short and still won't know any theology. 

Who's really going to end up in charge?

Threat Assessment

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"In order that the world might know His anger, the Heavenly Father is preparing to inflict a great chastisement on all mankind. ... akita 

 ...it should be sufficient for all Christians to know this: if there is a message in which it is written that the oceans will flood whole areas of the earth, and that from one moment to the next millions of people will perish... Pope John Paul II on why the 3rd Secret of Fatima has not been revealed

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Then-Cardinal Ratzinger in a 1984 interview in Jesus magazine, about the 3rd Secret of Fatima:

"Cardinal Ratzinger, have you read what is called the Third Secret of Fatima: i.e., the one that Sister Lucia had sent to Pope John XXIII and which the latter did not wish to make known and consigned to the Vatican archives?" 

"Yes, I have read it." 

"Why has it not been revealed?" 

"Because, according to the judgement of the Popes, it adds nothing new to what a Christian must know concerning what derives from Revelation: i.e., a radical call for conversion; the absolute importance of history; the dangers threatening the faith and the life of the Christian, and therefore of the world. And then the importance of the novissimi.  If it is not made public - at least for the time being - it is in order to prevent religious prophecy from being mistaken for a quest for the sensationalism. But the things contained in this Third Secret correspond to what has been announced in Scripture and has been said again and again in many other Marian apparitions, first of all that of Fatima in what is already known of what its message contains: conversion and penitence are the essential conditions for salvation."

So, here's the threat assessment:

Something big and bad is coming.  John Paul II characterized it correctly: millions will die very suddenly. So, I have a question: HOW IS THIS DIFFERENT FOR YOU OR I THAN WHAT WILL HAPPEN, ANYWAY?

If we are not among the dead, times will indeed be very hard and we may envy the dead very much.  But the fact is, your death or mine can come at any moment.  So all this sudden death is really not the point,  JPII is correct:

 "Here is the remedy against this evil.  Pray, pray, and ask for nothing more.  Leave everything else to the Mother of God." 

Or, yanno, her Son: 

198 On one occasion the Lord said to me, 
My daughter, your confidence and love restrain My justice, 
and I cannot inflict punishment because you hinder Me from doing so. 

Oh, how great is the power of a soul filled with confidence!  

-the Diary of Saint Faustina

Do you only pray when there is a problem?  Aren't we called to prayer in all cases, all days and times? If no one knows the day or hour, the world can end before I finish typing this line.  

Who is the Enemy? (Part 2)

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I wonder how many people even remember Pogo, anymore?  I agree with Kreeft when he says the enemy is the devil and his minions, I really do.  But I think  Kreeft gets off-track in Winning Strategy, he seems to think we have to be Mother Teresa to be warriors.  In fact, his whole quasi-military concept seems to me to be exacerbating the problem. The very last thing American Catholics need is to have their adrenaline pumped. 

I don’t mean merely that Western civilization will die. That’s a piece of trivia. I mean eternal souls will die. Billions of Ramons and Vladamirs and Janes and Tiffanies will go to Hell. That’s what’s at stake in this war: not just whether America will become a banana republic, or whether we’ll forget Shakespeare, or even whether some nuclear terrorist will incinerate half of humanity, but whether our children and our children’s children will see God forever. That’s what’s at stake in “Hollywood versus America.” That’s why we must wake up and smell the rotting souls. Knowing we are at war is the first requirement for winning it.

"...wake up and smell the rotting souls..." was my favorite bit.  Okay, so now Kreeft has us all juiced.  What's the answer?

And thus we have our third Necessary Thing: the weapon that will win the war and defeat our enemy.All it takes is saints.Can you imagine what twelve more Mother Teresas would do for the world? Can you imagine what would happen if just twelve readers of this article offered Christ 100% of their hearts and held back nothing, absolutely nothing?

I vote Kreeft becomes the first of the twelve.  Notice that in the previously cited section, Kreeft has already written off western civilization and America, specifically.  Becoming a "banana republic" is inevitable.   

What is the price? The answer is simple. T.S. Eliot defines the Christian life as: “A condition of complete simplicity/Costing not less than/Everything.”

Uh-HUH.  So, the decline and fall of everything is inevitable and the only answer against the devil is giving up everything.  This is a sure recipe for spreading despair: everything is going to go to hell and I am not good enough or willing enough or something enough to do thing one about it because my only option is becoming a living saint.  And I just have to get new brakes and help my daughter not flunk 6th grade.... 

But the article makes you wonder why bother at all?  What good are your few  prayers and attempts at a decent life?  Might as well sleep in on Sunday.

Kreeft, who do you work for?   

(next: threat assessment)