Q: Do you believe in God?
A: Just like all forms of belief, belief in God is simply a construct of the mind. An illusion of the brain, not Reality. Reality can only be experienced, and so is God; eventually Reality is God, and God is Experienced. So, even if I have belief in God, it is based on direct experience rather than simply empty, illusory concept derived from any scriptures, and holy books.
As a result, I do not believe in God that is depicted as a ruler who sits somewhere on the highest sky, a spoiled king who is outraged by those who do not obey his rules and send them to the torture of hell eternally, a separate figure who has enemies He cannot control and needs us to fight for Him. I do not believe in God that is called “Almighty” but does not possess the power over His creation’s free will. Such depiction about God sounds so childish and does not make any sense at all–if not considered a blasphemy.
At best I can depict God as the Ocean of Consciousness, from which the waves of creation emerge and fade. Each wave gains a degree of distinction from others, but ultimately, it is not a separate entity from others, it is one with The All-Inclusive Ocean. The waves and ebbs are simply illusions on the surface that come and go in continuous change, while The Ocean itself is unchanging, Timeless.
But again; God is to be experienced, not to be believed in. So rather than hanging into my description about God, you better experience Him for yourself. You will see that even the best description possible would never be adequate; you will have your own way of explaining God, but you will also realize that any explanation, including yours, can never be perfect :)

Q: Do you believe in God?

A: Just like all forms of belief, belief in God is simply a construct of the mind. An illusion of the brain, not Reality. Reality can only be experienced, and so is God; eventually Reality is God, and God is Experienced. So, even if I have belief in God, it is based on direct experience rather than simply empty, illusory concept derived from any scriptures, and holy books.

As a result, I do not believe in God that is depicted as a ruler who sits somewhere on the highest sky, a spoiled king who is outraged by those who do not obey his rules and send them to the torture of hell eternally, a separate figure who has enemies He cannot control and needs us to fight for Him. I do not believe in God that is called “Almighty” but does not possess the power over His creation’s free will. Such depiction about God sounds so childish and does not make any sense at all–if not considered a blasphemy.

At best I can depict God as the Ocean of Consciousness, from which the waves of creation emerge and fade. Each wave gains a degree of distinction from others, but ultimately, it is not a separate entity from others, it is one with The All-Inclusive Ocean. The waves and ebbs are simply illusions on the surface that come and go in continuous change, while The Ocean itself is unchanging, Timeless.

But again; God is to be experienced, not to be believed in. So rather than hanging into my description about God, you better experience Him for yourself. You will see that even the best description possible would never be adequate; you will have your own way of explaining God, but you will also realize that any explanation, including yours, can never be perfect. :)


9 Responses


i see that way too. very good.

-- Ta-Wan, December 19, 2009

Yes, an excellent description . . I’ve written several posts/articles along the same lines over the last couple of years.

Of course realization of ‘Be-ing’ is the end of all attitude-belief-opinion (in my own direct experience).

-- Doug ’1yog2many’ McMillan, December 20, 2009

Thanks Folks :)

Anyway all experience eventually leads to realization of Being, but I do not see the same tendency from rigid religious belief. Or could I have been wrong?

-- Rizal Affif, December 20, 2009

I have come from your post on “Transformation” on my blog, that I’ve now seen fit to give a title too! Our minds are on the save wavelength with God. Many people think that Zen practitioners are atheists, that is not quite true, but we are certainly not believers in the conventional sense of the word. I remember a story of two Zen students. One was saying to the other that he wouldn’t swap his one transient experience of God for a thousand of his companion’s beliefs.

I think we need to remember to stay centred though. Beliefs have their place. It takes either great courage or profound enlightenment to give them up altogether, perhaps… :-)

-- Derek, December 23, 2009

Hi Derek, nice to see you here :)

Maybe, we are all atheists from the orthodox-believer’s point of view. Ah, it doesn’t matter anyway, as you already point the most important thing yourself: “[he] wouldn’t swap his one transient experience of God for a thousand of his companion’s beliefs.”

Thanks for sharing here :)

-- Rizal Affif, December 24, 2009

hi,k! i’ve just read this post. And I totally agree in this sentences:
I do not believe in God that is called “Almighty” but does not possess the power over His creation’s free will. Such depiction about God sounds so childish and does not make any sense at all–if not considered a blasphemy.

that’s like explain something to me about a difference view of God when I was in the US. Maybe later when I write the story, I’ll quote it..I hope u’d alow me:D hehe..

-- astrid, December 30, 2009

Hi Acid :) sure, please write the story. Feel free to quote. I am looking forward it, hehehehehe :D

-- Rizal Affif, December 31, 2009

Very nice and accurate description, as acurate as any words can be concerning the wordless, formless presence that can be called God,in which all appearances arise. One without second as stated in the ancients said, not two.
Stay in touch my friend!
Love,
jd

-- JD Hazlewood, January 13, 2010

Yep, too bad no description can ever be accurate concerning the Formless, since any descriptions themselves are forms :D thanks JD, let’s keep in touch :)

-- Rizal Affif, January 13, 2010

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