It is interesting to consider the panic and mistrust that is generated when people start talking about forming a new religion. Where does this come from?
If someone proposed a new educational theory, medical approach, artistic technique or scientific theory, people rightly expect two things. One, is there a basis for the approach and two, is there some form of ability to have repeatable results in different contexts with different people.
Yet with Religion there appears to be some added hurdles, lest you be labelled a cult, sect or simply a group of crazies. There is a deep fear and even suspicion that gets generated if you mention a NEW religion. Why is this?
Could it be that many people have been manipulated by others promising ‘nirvana’ before? Of course, by manipulated I mean people choosing to take on a set of beliefs that suited their desire to escape or give away their power etc.
Could it be the harm that established religions have endorsed and perpetrated over centuries?
The current Royal Commission into Institutionalised Child Abuse in Australia is showing how established religions had clergy abusing children and then ignored what the children were saying to protect the image of the religion. The result was that clergy were often relocated, like a virus, and allowed to continue to offend.
Then there is the litany of religious wars, stoning, hanging, murders and genocides that have been carried out, either under the name of religion, or NOT prevented by them. Not to mention the segregation, discrimination and animosity generated between different religious groups and even within groups.
There is such incongruence in seeing institutions that purport to be able to help us understand an aspect of our lives that is so sacred and special to many, behaving in a way that is so contrary to that sacredness.
So considering all of this, it is understandable that we feel a level of sensitivity with the word religion.
Maybe we react because we have invested so much in a religion being ‘the way’. You can see people terrified that if their religion is not “it” there might be nothing else?
Is it that we get confused by seeing some amazing people living in religions that they seem to balance the harm that is perpetrated by others?
But what if the amazing, lovely, deeply caring people who are in religions are not amazing, lovely, deeply caring people because of the religion, but because of who they are within themselves?
After all, we also find amazing, lovely, deeply caring people who live outside of religion and in other religions, so the common factor is not the religion, it is the heart of the person and how they choose to live.
Could it be that we have mistaken religion for a set of ideologies, canons and doctrines rather than a way of living that connects us to and confirms what we feel within?
People seem tired of being promised so much by religion only to find that time and time again, the words and the deeds do not match up. The result is that people are very suspicious of people suggesting a NEW religion is needed.
But what if the great world teachers like Mohammed, Buddha, Jesus etc were right, and how we then interpret and live their messages is where the problem lies?
It is interesting to note that they all shared a view that the current religions of the day were missing the mark. They all suggest that the truth of a god is everywhere (which must also mean within), yet we have ended up with religions that vest power in the priests and away from self.
So maybe we don’t need to walk away from a religious way of being but rather return to the original meaning and purpose of religion.
- Religion is about the way we live in respect of and in connection to our own innate divinity.
- Religion is not about grand cathedrals and the politics of powerful clergy, but finding ways to honour the sacredness that is inherent within each person, wherever we live or work.
- Religion is not about showing us what we need to become but should be confirming of the glory that we already are.
- Religion is not about rigid guidelines that control and separate us but about giving us a framework for becoming a forever student of life.
- Religion is not about waiting for a saviour but about each person taking maximum responsibility for saving themselves.
- Religion is not about ‘doing good’ but about building a level of honesty, vitality and self love that can then shared.
- Religion is simply about building a way of living that confirms we are all equal and returning to the fact that we are not just humans, but spirits and souls learning how to reconnect to what we have pushed away for many, many lifetimes… our own innate and ever present divinity.
This is a religion that makes sense to me and this is the religion I have come to know as The Way of The Livingness.
Forever inspired by Serge Benhayon to develop my own relationship to religion, God and the light we are equally from.
By Joel Levin, Western Australia
Further Reading:
My Connection to God and Finding Real Religion
From Christian Belief and a Good Christian to Finding True Religion
The Way Of The Livingness Is A Religion
The Truth about Universal Medicine 
I totally get what you mean about how there can be a knee-jerk reaction to a ‘new’ religion and also it is somewhat ironic when the values and principles of The Way of The Livingness are actually ancient, ageless and timeless and to me correlate with what religion is truly and was originally all about.
‘So maybe we don’t need to walk away from a religious way of being but rather return to the original meaning and purpose of religion.’ How true Joel, an opportunity to re-imprint what we have believed religion to be over many thousands of years, to live in a way that embraces us all in the love that we are.
Religion is about inspiring us to change the nature of our movements back to what is natural to us all. True religious teachings are those that help us in this endeavor.
We often try and find reasons for why people are as they are, with integrity, with kindness and of course the opposite too … we attribute it to perhaps their culture, their religions but rarely just to them – why is it that we miss that people are innately many of those things we admire and cherish and that their outward expressions in whatever form merely confirm it? Could it be that in loosing connection to ourselves, our inner most we then attempt to find outer forms to regulate us, when in fact all that is needed is we connect to ourselves.
“Religion is simply about building a way of living that confirms we are all equal and returning to the fact that we are not just humans,…” – This statement is so powerful in and of itself, in that if we could just adopt this as our truth (which it inescapably is), perhaps we would then not just settle for less and accept that being human equates to all the abuse, war, disease, fighting, and disharmony that we have accepted as ‘just the way it is’ or ‘it has always been that way in humanity so it will always stay that way’, which is nothing but an excuse to continue down this self-destructive path. But if we begin with the understanding that we are so much more than physical beings, but actually spirits coming back to our natural soulful selves, it puts life in a whole other context, as none of these disharmonious ways of being are a way for the Soul.
Maybe the microscope that we place over and use to inspect all that appears new needs to also be placed over that which is ‘the current way’. This applies to more than just religion, it applies to how we live, how we educate, how we work, our health care systems etc. When someone comes with a different way they are scrutinized beyond measure, while those invested in the old ways critique and condemn. Yet if we turned that same focus on the old ways, it would expose all that does not work, most would not come up to the measure that is being placed on something new- interesting!
I love this tenet: “Religion is not about waiting for a saviour but about each person taking maximum responsibility for saving themselves.” I think this is part of why we resist true religion, it asks us to take absolute responsibility for ourselves and not lean on anything else or look for something to save us, but what if the magic is in us and we actually hold the key?
“So maybe we don’t need to walk away from a religious way of being but rather return to the original meaning and purpose of religion.” – very well said and with great understanding of why we may well want to walk away from what we have seen done in the name of ‘religion’ but that actually it wasn’t truly religious at all…
Religion has caused so many issues in my and no doubt many other lifetimes.
My background is Indian and I come from the Hindu religion and within this are further religions that separate and divide us, thinking that one religion is superior than the other.
I recalled when ever I cared for a woman in labour, she birthed in the same way as another, she cared for her baby in the same way as another – Love, it has no boundaries.
The Way of The Livingness has no separation in fact it brings us together as one, and from the one source.
‘The common factor is not religion, it is the heart of the person and how they choose to live’ – and I wanted to add love.
“the common factor is not the religion, it is the heart of the person and how they choose to live.” The Way of The Livingness presents a way to live that is a way to return to the Divine love we all are.
At what stage is a new religion accepted now? It behoves humanity to feel what is being presented , and then to contemplate simply that.
Religion is about many relationships. A relationship of intention to connect to God, all others, myself and being in full appreciation of the awareness this brings in leading a life of integrity and responsibility of all my thoughts and actions.
It’s very true Joel, that we are “spirits and souls learning how to reconnect to what we have pushed away for many, many lifetimes… our own innate and ever present divinity.” It’s never made sense to me either in religion or new age spirituality that no one talks about divinity being innate. As Sons of God we are born from divinity, and religion to me is in living this everyday.
Could the distrust in forming a new religion be that subconsciously people know that there is a true religion but what is presented as such is not and that they do not want to be duped again?
What if a lot of the power that is given to organised religions is based on a fear of there being nothing else? This is a fantastic question, and I wonder how much of that fear is generated from the beliefs we have in general about death, passing over, and reincarnation?
So many people can be triggered when you mention the word ‘religion’ as they have been affected by the bastardised version of the meaning, so of course a new ‘religion’ comes along and many are very cautious and suspicious and can even judge it before it evens has a chance to establish itself. The Way of The Livingness also makes perfect sense to me and is a true religion that reconnects you back to God, a religion that unifies people and is about living love and truth everyday and sharing this equally with others.
” Maybe we react because we have invested so much in a religion being ‘the way’. You can see people terrified that if their religion is not “it” there might be nothing else? ” This is partly the response I get but also its the fact that people have invested so much in their religion and for it not to be true would be devastating for them , as they and their family would have been conned or fooled into living a way that has been futile.
I agree, John, for if they have made this mistake what is there that they can trust? A very scary place to be and one that for many seems too great to face.
We accept or don’t even blink when we see something familiar or that a lot of people are doing. It’s like we are swayed by numbers, 100 years as opposed to 1 year, 100 people as opposed to 1 person. The weight of numbers gives us comfort in what we choose or are choosing. When it comes to starting a ‘new Religion’ I can see comically almost how we don’t even need to find out more about something or study what it’s saying, we just sit swayed by numbers. Is everything truly that predicable that we can just shut off and blindly accept anything regardless of what it has been or what it has done. I look at our current main religions and can see many holes in their stories and many holes in how they have chosen to be and yet acceptance remains, why? Are we know longer flexible in our view once we have accepted something blindly or once we have accepted something because of a part of what is being said. Everything has many parts and in that it’s our responsibility that no matter how well or for how long we have known something to discern it’s truth from how it feels. This is not a trial and error approach but one of an ever expanding awareness of how things truly feel.
Horrendous things have been done and continue being done in the name of religion.
Some were/are visible. Others were/are not. Everybody knows that. When new religions come to the fore, people may fear this. Yet this is not the only possibility: they may fear a reflection of light that exposes the ugliness of what they prefer to not see in the religion they have chosen.Or they may fear that new religions may expose the fact that the circle does not square with the religion of their choice and the fact that they feel trapped in it because they feel it is the best option, everything else considered.Some may also like to close their eyes regarding what they see does not add up to their natural sense of truth. The second and third scenarios may get very intense if one has a very strong will not to see what is true, particularly if there is a new religion that transpires truth and cannot be faulted in any way (fact that eliminates also the possibility of the first scenario).
Beautifully said Joel, . . “So maybe we don’t need to walk away from a religious way of being but rather return to the original meaning and purpose of religion” . . . The Way of The Livingness is a religion that has offered just that; true purpose and the understanding that it is our connection and relationship with what lies within, (our very essence,) that is the foundation of all our relationships to others and to the world. This connection ensures the energetic responsibility to live in accordance to the love that we are.
There is no doubt in me that it is an evil act when a man or woman claim to be doing good but their behaviours are otherwise yet it is even more evil when the abuse and harm are covered up to protect themselves, their institution and not only that, left to carry on.
If an already established ‘religion’ was truly serving all, why the need for a new one? The fact that a new religion is being formed already questions the standard of what the established religion is claiming to deliver. I guess some people don’t like that very much.
Mention the word religion and it either sets alarm bells ringing or switches people off, so to hear of a new religion can be for some people difficult to grasp given how much we have bastardised and misused. the word religion. I love this last paragraph; it sums up for me what religion is about, not something we shy away from but as you say here…. “Religion is simply about building a way of living that confirms we are all equal and returning to the fact that we are not just humans, but spirits and souls learning how to reconnect to what we have pushed away for many, many lifetimes… our own innate and ever present divinity.”….This for me is my absolute truth too. Thank you Joel for expressing this.
Thank you Joel for a great blog, what you have shared gives me a greater understanding of the adverse reactions a new religion is given. So much betrayal, mistrust and hypocrisy exists in many established religions that people can view any new religion with suspicion. The Way of The Livingness offers to us truth love equality and true brotherhood, with connection to our own inner heart we are deeply connected to each other. It is a religion that unifies not separates.
I am shy of coming out and expressing how dear The Way of The Livingness is to me but this line makes me have more understanding for myself. “So considering all of this, it is understandable that we feel a level of sensitivity with the word religion.”
Joel, when you talk about what the values are of a true religion, it makes me realise how normal it is and the shyness just melts away and is replaced by a sense of urgency to share love with the world.
Oh so much in here! “People seem tired of being promised so much by religion only to find that time and time again, the words and the deeds do not match up. ” This was me from a little girl. I took myself off to the church at the end of our road each week only to be told I shouldn’t be in there, I should be in Sunday school. I was crushed. I didn’t want to be in Sunday school I wanted to be in there, working it out, seeing what it was like. I never went back. I just kept looking outside for what I knew to be true instead till I had given up on what was inside being true. I can’t believe I gave up when I look back now. I am so pleased I am on my way home now, thank you for this blog reminding me of the way.
“So maybe we don’t need to walk away from a religious way of being but rather return to the original meaning and purpose of religion..” I love your list of what true religion is – and is not. I shied away from orthodox religion because no-one seemed to walk their talk – in stark contract to Serge Benhayon who is integrity personified.
Many are turning their backs on religion because of the hypocrisy they feel and see in the behaviours with many of the apparently devout leaders or followers. But as an unfortunate consequence of this withdrawal they also can become disillusioned with God too. What I don’t understand is why turn your back on God and blame God for something a person who has misinterpreted truth has done?
A great point Suse – ‘why turn your back on God and blame God for something a person who has misinterpreted truth has done?’ So much truth has been bastardised – by humans – and until we can allow ourselves to read situations – and people – energetically – we can be fooled.
You raise powerful questions throughout this inspiring blog Joel. And, yes, in my experience, a way of living (The Livingness) as presented by Serge Benhayon, Universal Medicine offers the true answer to this question.
Could it be that we have mistaken religion for a set of ideologies, canons and doctrines rather than a way of living that connects us to and confirms what we feel within?
We have had many lives being set up by lies, betrayal, deceit an loveless acts from many ‘Religions’ all to create fear, doubt and mistrust for when the true ‘Religion’ appears. A plan that is far greater than many wish to see.
Religion is generally believed to be a great power, this power is generated from the same mindset and movement of a collective. So whether this is a great power that heals or a great power that harms depends on what the movement is. What the movement is thus depends on every heart of every person who is in this religion and the way they express—whether they express fully what the heart knows or they hold back in expressing. A movement that is initiated from the heart speaks truth, a movement that resists the impulses of the heart leaves truth behind. So what really makes a religion true, is what is driving this religion to be.
Oh I love the simplicity of this comment Adele. I know there are so many people who know that what is in their heart holds truth, and it is this truth that binds us all together. We have been sold a version of the words heart and love that make us think it is all about cards, chocolates and roses but that misses the mark completely. I feel like I have had yet another layer of illusion peeled off my eyes!
It is interesting how many people react to any talk of a new religion which goes to show just how much they have invested in the religion that they choose to follow and how intransigent they are when it comes to considering there might be another way even if they are deeply unhappy? If we allowed ourselves more space to really feel what something like a new religion might have to offer then we would have no need to go into reaction and try and shoot it down.
It is indeed incredible how scared we are of the formation of a new religion, and first the word religion itself. It is the falseness that is portrayed in the mainstream religions that I am sure is the reason of this fear, as we all know that it isn’t the truth as it is being portrayed. And we all have the power to live religion, in connection to god and the all that is our universe.
It’s amazing how we are wary of a new religion but are far more forgiving of the old, established mainstream religions despite everything they have done throughout the history of mankind. Granted that there are some dodgy and/or extreme ones around, but it doesn’t have to mean that we have to give away the word ‘religion’ to mean much less that what it truly does.
I have found that the current trend towards narrow evidence based medicine and science are also heavily protected in terms of the status quo and an established way of thinking. There seems to be tighter and tighter restrictions on what is considered acceptable evidence and any new techniques or approaches that come along are treated with much suspicion if they do not come from the already established mainstream sources. So science, along with religion has lost its true meaning for a true scientist has an openness and willingness to observe and connect with the world and the universe and its divine laws. Actually the definition of a true science would probably not differ much from true religion.
Thank you Joel, this blog truly supports one to understand the original meaning and purpose of religion.
There are so many points that could be highlighted within this article as a guide or a break down for us when it comes to where we hold religion. This, “But what if the amazing, lovely, deeply caring people who are in religions are not amazing, lovely, deeply caring people because of the religion, but because of who they are within themselves?” This is one of the single most missing pieces in how we with religions. We give power to something outside, above and below us and yet don’t reflect everything within to see who we truly are. All that comes to us is from us first, this maybe difficult to see or swallow in some instances but this doesn’t mean it’s not true. The way we live directly effects our vision on the world, if you are blind at any point then your living way is keeping you there. Bring a deeper quality to your movements in how you live and your eyes will open.
The promise of some kind of ‘nirvana’ has been around for centuries, taking on many forms and styles, but essentially always there. And yet so has war, corruption, famine, indulgence, dis-eases, etc. How is it that for so long, as far back as human records go, we have the two running side by side? Could it be that one requires the other to exist? And in fact true harmony, which is rarely ever ventured in to on a mass global scale, would actually be the quality between mankind that eliminates all need for both unrest and escape?
Everybody is religious to the true meaning of the word, it is only when we try to own religion for the benefit of ourselves or a for selected group, where the harm is entering into humanity. For this harm then religion has the blame but in fact it is the bastardized version of religion, that is at the root of many atrocities in our communities.
As a group of people, as is humanity, all with the same needs and wants in life it is an absolute travesty that religion has become the great divider of society we today experience. That is until you come across the teachings of The Way of The Livingness. Here you will find only connection and brotherhood in the true sense of the word. It may be a New Religion for today’s times, but its roots are in the Ageless Wisdom of old. We can all feel this, and whether you like it or not each of our roots is intertwined with the work of the Ageless Wisdom.
Such a great article Joel. The last paragraph just feels absolutely right to me. If I had grown up with that understanding of religion, I would not still be dealing with my reactions to the mere words; religion and God. And, I believe our skepticism towards new religions might also be helped by the naming of them, such as; The Flying Spaghetti Monster, whose representatives, I believe, are called Pastafarians.
The Way Of The Livingness is actually ancient and what we are returning back to after a long detour so it becomes normal again for humanity.
I love your points about what religion is not – yet so many buy into those same ideals. “Could it be that we have mistaken religion for a set of ideologies, canons and doctrines rather than a way of living that connects us to and confirms what we feel within?” Yes indeed. The word religion comes from the word religare – to re-bind, to re-connect, which is what The Way of The Livingness shows us – a return to where we all came from – as we are all sparks of God. Simply a return to the love we all are deep inside.
‘Religion is not about waiting for a saviour but about each person taking maximum responsibility for saving themselves’. Believing someone out there will save us is a fallacy and robs us of the vitality that comes with taking full responsibility for ourselves.
Growing up in a religion that had no love or truth as its foundation, it is has been beautiful to experience The Way of The Livingness – a true religion that unites all and re-connects me to God and reminds me of the greatness we all are.
Thank you Joel for sharing and highlighting the list of points of the original meaning and purpose of religion. When truth is divinely delivered, true healing takes place not just for those who read this blog, but for all because a new imprint has been made for the all – for humanity.
I recall feeling afraid when, in my pre-teens, I decided that religion wasn’t true. I broke up with God. Now I realise it was because I had thrown the baby out with the bath water in the belief that it was religion or nothing, when every ounce of my body knew there was more to life than existence. I just felt unworthy of the God of religion, and could see the hypocrisy. Not confirming people as equal sons of God is deeply harming and separative.
I often wonder what the great world teachers in our past would do if they saw how their presentations and teachings have been represented in the world and the abuse at every level that has occurred in their names. I would expect that they would have nothing to do with their respective religions and perhaps begin again.
We are so poisoned by what religion has been because we know deeply that what most religions have offered is not the truth and so this thing we know that is deeply sacred, a connection to the divinity we all are has been bastardised hugely throughout history, hence our wariness. But this is a trap as it means we avoid actually coming back and developing our own relationship with what religion truly means, a living way, lived from inside us, showing the divinity we are, so in fact it’s about finding a way to understand and embrace what religion truly means and live it in a way that shows all that religion is not the curse we’ve previously seen, but a return to living the divinity we all are.
Yep, I’ve been one of those people, skepitcal as all hell about a new religion….because until now, I’ve not seen nor felt anything particularly positive or harmonious in my experience of organised religions. I have however been part of The Way of The Livingness, and almost without even realising I certainly didn’t wake up one morning and decide to join anything, in fact I never did join anything. The difference here, is I aligned to a way of life that made perfect sense to me, and it turns out it now happens to be a religion, but certainly one that does not hold me hostage to a set of rules, does not keep me separate from others and most of all reminds me all the time that we all have something to offer and that everyone is equal no matter what.
Joel I love how you bring religion to how we choose to live, not the religion we choose to be a part of.
The word religion certainly can come loaded with a lot of things considering how it has been used over the centuries to justify abuse and genocide and general subjugation and suppression of people! Hearing Serge Benhayon present about the true origins of the word religion has really helped me open up to its true meaning and to see how beautiful the real meaning of the word actually is.
I agree Joel, religion has been tarnished by many, from corruption, child abuse, child labour, unauthorised adoptions, and much more, true religion would never have allowed this to happen. The world would be a very different place if we turned religion back to its true purpose.
The expression ‘converting’ to a certain religion implies that you are choosing to leave who you are to become attached to something else and it feels as though there is a separation. The Way of The Livingness does not suggest or ask anyone to convert but to reconnect to their own inner sacredness and live who they truly are in equalness with all.
To appreciate and confirm the grandness that lies within myself and each and every one of us is my religion. It is what I know to be truth and what I am learning and developing consistency with as a way of being in my life.
‘Could it be that we have mistaken religion for a set of ideologies, canons and doctrines rather than a way of living that connects us to and confirms what we feel within?’ YES!! I have done this. I have lived so much of my life in complete reaction to religion, because I have always made it mean this.
When in fact, if I consider what The Way of the Livingness presents, it turns out that I am religious after all. Still a bit of a pill to swallow as my old beliefs around religion are still hanging around – mostly because I know so many others feel the same way, and claiming to be religious feels like a huge contradiction and also conjures up ideas that are not true.
I just loved your blog Joel, expressing so clearly what true religion is “The Way of The Livingness” a connection to our divinity within and a connection with all others knowing that this divine love lives within all mankind. It is no wonder people are suspicious when a new religion comes along after all the dreadful things that have been brought on mankind in the name of religion.
Yes, mistrust in religion is rife but strangely not enough for everyone to step away from these institutions that have been responsible for so much suffering in the world! One would think that the common sense approach would be to look at where these established religions had got things so wrong. . . what with child abuse, sexually, emotionally and physically, the greed, the war, the genocide of non believers, the non acceptance same sex relationships, inequality of the sexes in general, the cruelty, the looking down at the ‘less fortunate’. . . one would think that the fresh approach of taking responsibility for our way of living in accordance to our connection with the divinity of the innermost heart would be a breath of fresh air in the smoggy grey arena of world religions.
Our society is running on the illusion that the answers and fulfilment we seek are to be found outside of ourselves, including the many religions pose that this is the case. This is a corruption of the truth, as without our connection to ourselves we will never find the answers and fulfilment we seek. Our salvation comes through our connection to our Soul, to the light of God we already are within. True religion simply is living in a way that supports us to explore, discover and live guided by, in honor of and empowered by our connection to the Light of our Soul. A way of living knowing that we are all equal in essence, not one ever being greater that another, as the truth of one is the truth of us all.
A beautiful, powerful and yet simple presentation of the essence of a way of life that truly embodies love.
I agree that the general mistrust of a new religion comes from the corruption of the religions that have come before. We cannot trust those people who wage wars and are manipulative and abusive in the name of their religion and this tarnishes our understanding of the word and hence the suspicion that is targeted at a new religion.
I agree Lucy, what has come before is NOT religion, because religion is our own personal daily practise and not an institution.
So much magnificence in this thread, shared by all.
There’s truth in this discussion. Thank you for this awesome conversation everyone.
Yes I too can understand why people tend to react with the word religion because it has been distorted, misinterpreted, and used to create disharmony throughout history to this current day. So thank you Joel for exposing this and explaining the true meaning of religion. An absolutely brilliant blog.
Incongruence is a great word … for the inconsistency we have seen has created doubt and leaves many a little wary and unsure of religions especially one not part of the mainstream. It is really lovely however to find one that encompasses what you have shared… that looks not to a building or a being or another for guidelines or answers but is simply in honour of the connection within and the expression of that in life.
With the level of abuse, hypocrisy, etc., from mainstream religion it’s not surprising that this word has been bastardised. The Way of the Livingness is bringing back the true meaning of the word ‘religion’ – relationship with self, a return to who we truly are for that to then be expressed.
Beautifully said Joel, The Way Of The Livingness brings the light and love back to a word that has accumulated so many overtones that people do shy away from it with a deep reaction, and now it is time to claim back yet another word from the twisting ways of the world.
When I read your blog what comes up for me is the true meaning of words. Before a word come into our language there has to be an activity that represents the word. So words such as Love, Truth. God, Religion all have an original meaning representing the word, but overtime it seems like the activity of the words has been lost but we use them anyway to represent what we want them to represent without the true activity being present and active. So suddenly we use the words Love, Truth, God, Religion without it’s true meaning and I think this hurts us much more than we can comprehend. It feels like we feel robbed of something that to us is very precious.
Couldn’t agree more Matts, words can be thrown around so easily and meaning and interpretation gets lost along the way, leading to conflict, perceived difference and the blindfolding of our awareness.
With the basis of Religion being our connection and relationship to the/a higher plane of life, what if the reason why we baulk at the fact or get so upset around this subject is because deep down we know what a true relationship with religion is and how it is portrayed today is the complete opposite. For me the shame and reaction of how I have been disconnected from such relationship and how others have behaved so-called and informed in the name of that relationship with God/Divinity drove me away from religious practices all together. What I now know from The Way of The Livingness is that yes that choice was made but that doesn’t mean we can’t come back to that relationship and re-imprint, repair and heal such a connection that in truth was only and has only ever been cut off from our end and ever from God or Divinity. The Earth isn’t separate from the universe it is within it and nor are we.
‘is there some form of ability to have repeatable results in different contexts with different people’… to which the answer is a resounding yes. You just have to read the comments from the many hundreds of people that have been inspired by the Way of the Livingness. And if you had the opportunity to meet them, and get to know them as I do it would be quite clear there is something amazing going on here.
Religion for me has always been something disempowering, giving your power away and submitting yourself to something controlling as I only got to know the impact of institutionalized religion on people. I judged religion from what I saw it was doing to people, but never questioned that it was the form, the institutions and the untruth presented to control and overpower people that was what I was seeing in people and that religion itself has been bastardized. Today I know what true religion is and I love to live a truly religious life.
Joel I totally agree that it is the quality of the person that is important, and not the dogma or outer trappings of the religion they belong to or reject. I walked away from religion when I was quite young because it simply did not make sense. I felt a sense of fear in so doing which I did not understand at the time. I pushed this fear down and spent a lifetime of seeking ‘something’. It is only now that the word religion has been returned to its original meaning that I know that we are all deeply innately religious, and that what hurt me all those years ago was that I was literally throwing the baby out with the bathwater by confusing religious organisations and structure with my personal inner knowing of the true religious way.
You have stopped me Joel, to consider the opening question about our hesitancy in regards to new religions. People do get quite intense about it. A new philosophy is OK…but religion??!! Whoa! Can’t go there. It seems to be analogous with completely weird…although as you have pointed the long standing, traditional forms have not much to hold their heads up about. I suspect it has always been this way, the new kid on the block being regarded as a peculiarity, an aberration until it is about 500 years old. Not endorsed on merit…just familiarity. So what does this say about our relationship with religion? Are we only comfortable with it when it is worn in by time? Something worth exploring here.
I agree Rachel and can alos see that it is not just time that build familiarity but an implicit requirement not to step on the toes, turf and ego’s of what goes before.
Yes, but why? If something is true, then we should not try to tear others down, we simply walk steady and time will show a consistency of love and truth. Some of the long established religions try very hard to squash anything new – taking it as a personal affront. Yet clearly there is a pull or a tension that something is not quite true about what is currently established and therefore a seeking for what is true.
Love it Joel! The way you describe the word religion in its true sense is so different from the reality of how many experience religion in its current form and practise. The Way of The Livingness to me is a return to, and reflection of, true religion.
Joel, what a great breakdown on religion and how we’ve mis-used it, and how we’ve allowed mass abuse because of it, yet there is responsibility here for the fact that we’ve allowed religion to be bastardized from what it truly is and so now we sit here wary of religion, but in fact we’ve allowed the convenience of institutionalized religion to define religion for us, and we’ve given up on true religion, which is a connection within to who we are, to the Sons of God we are. As we’ve allowed a lesser version of religion to exist, now when the real true one comes along many of us squirm and feel the discomfort of being shown the truth we’ve always know but not lived.
That is so true, we have been swayed by the convenience and comfort of an institution that is old to stop us from coming back to the truth of our natural connection to God which is within. We have fed the lesser version in order to not rock the boat and have to take responsibility on a grander level perhaps.
We think that being cautious, hesitant and skeptical about religion is actually a good thing but it is actually also preventing us from embracing the truth about religion and what it truly means to be religious. It is creating a form of living that totally (or at least partially) has turned its back on any truth in the word religion and that such a word could ever bring any true good to the world. This to me feels like true evil. The separation of man from his own inner truth is, if sin were true at all, the greatest sin of all.
It’s true Joshua, the sceptics path is championed not because religion isn’t true but how it has been presented and experienced isn’t true. The result is that we miss out on the real value and benefit of what our own religion with our soul can offer.
So true Joel, we opt for the sceptic path as it is seen as “safe” and a way to have your own mind, not being dominated by the beliefs of the mainstream religions. But herein lies the ill as we can only ever be offered true freedom and safety from embracing the religion of our soul. Being a sceptic actually shutdown our openness to seeing what is true and what as not true, as the mind can never truly decern this difference, only the inner heart can
You know, it could be that being a sceptic or being ultra religious (in the modern sense) are both ways of shutting off what is felt more deeply at the core of our being.
Where I live, ‘being religious’ is a bit of a no-go area. It is associated with extreme behaviours that would either be imposing or alienating to the outsiders, and the word has so much stigma attached to it that it is seen more or less equal to anti-social or criminal activities, and many public facilities do not allow anyone or any group to promote or discuss religion under their roof. However when you are an active follower of one of the mainstream Buddhism sects or the Shinto tradition, I don’t think people would regard themselves or be regarded as ‘religious’ but as someone who respects and understands old traditions – which seems to be gaining popularity in the past 10-20 years and very much accepted and welcomed in general. Here, ‘religion’ has become something impersonal, and those who choose to ‘follow’ only go just as far as to diligently follow the protocols and the formality, and the activity and the concept that true meaning of the word religion conveys – to connect, to be in relationship with God/Divinity, is very much lost.
“…There is such incongruence in seeing institutions that purport to be able to help us understand an aspect of our lives that is so sacred and special to many, behaving in a way that is so contrary to that sacredness…”
Historically, this contrast has caused the mistrust and guard. The transparency and consistency of Universal Medicine, the workshop presentations and services they provide blows out of the water any concerns, weariness, and guard. Instead UM restores trust, and clearly are a benchmark in the way business and relationships are can be conducted.
This line – “People seem tired of being promised so much by religion only to find that time and time again, the words and the deeds do not match up. The result is that people are very suspicious of people suggesting a NEW religion is needed.” can also be applied to politics. People are so tired of being promised so much from politicians but the deeds do not add up as well. I think it is also time to bring politics back to what it should be – for the people, by the people. Simple is best.
Religion ought to be all-encompassing of all life, fully inclusive of everything and everyone. I remember hearing someone very wise once say that for some, going to the pub is their religion — that they are devoted to doing. At the same time, religion has become a don’t come near me thing, because we’ve all been so hurt by the falsies of religion that we have all accepted as being how it is, when it needn’t be. For religion is my relationship with all of life, my relationship with myself and my inner-most connection which is also my connection with God. So when i look up at the moon, which I just did now as I wrote this, I’m reminded of where we are all from and where we will one day return to… and that a truly religious way of living is being in connection with myself, my body that I take from A to B to Z and that in this sacred connection, I share the joy of my religious way with everyone others as well.
Love this blog, I am literally too afraid to fully talk about a new Religion as a concept due to the stigmas and cult like concepts that seem to attach themselves to this word. Thank you for writing with such clarity, its a true gift, to have this article go down in history.
So well said Joel. Join me up to The way of the Livingness. This explanation of Religion sounds true to me. I particularly resonated with you saying “it is the heart of the person and how they choose to live.” This the foundation of living with heart brings in energetic responsibility. Our religions should be based on this fact – how we live, communicate and interact.
God is not a secret, He is not hiding in an object deemed sacred – He is everywhere and makes Himself available for everyone all the time in everything. You don’t need to wear a special hat to know God or a golden robe to be with Him. He is with us all, all the time, it’s just a matter of living and moving in a way that allows Him to work through you, in true love we know God, in the stillness of nature and the gentleness of our breath.
Beautiful Rachel — you are so right. No special hat or robe required — all that is needed is the real you. In the real you God is right there with us. Always.
I have never been much into religion, until The Way of the Livingness I wouldn’t have considered myself as religious. I can now see that religion isn’t a practice or a set of rules, it’s a livingness, how we live our lives, how we are with people, how we love and respond to the challenges we may face and our relationship with evolution.
This is such a clear account of why a new religion is needed and what true religion is about. For a long time, the deeper I tried to faithfully follow an organised religion, the further from God I felt. This led me to decide that I was never going to allow anyone to stand between me and God. If God is everywhere then God is indeed everywhere, within everyone. It is the way we live, our connection with our innermost, our love, our God that is religion.
‘Religion is not about showing us what we need to become but should be confirming of the glory that we already are.’ Thank you Joel for this simple yet powerful reminder, growing up Catholic the common theme was you never felt ‘good enough’ or ‘worthy’ to receive God’s love. The Way of the Livingness embraces us all equally and continually reminds us we are all the sons of God and how glorious we truly are. It’s a no brainer which Religion empowers people and is about love, and the Religions that diminish and reduce who we truly are.
An interesting article Joel. Looking over history many great teachers have certainly challenged the status quo of the day, including the established religious institutions of the time – presenting a universal form of love, of wisdom and truth that we hold within, but we have lost connection to, and that have been lost or fragmented in society, in government and in many religions. Given the entrenched power of those institutions, these teachers were branded heretical, ridiculed, denigrated, and or tortured and killed in quite unpleasant ways – as a example and warning of what could happen to you if you do not align to and therefore support the established power structures of the day. In these days of so-called greater freedom, we need to be highly diligent not to allow that same level of bullying control and repression to keep others in fear of speaking their truth. One thing I know for sure is that Serge Benhayon and Universal Medicine will stand rock-solid always in presenting love and truth for all the world to see so that they too can know it for themselves.
We are indeed scarred by our experiences of religion and in particular many religious institutions, but there’s a greater truth we can look at here – many of us have been in religions as a way to fit in, to belong and we’ve stayed even when we’ve felt much about those self same religions which is not true and often we’re stood on the sidelines when we’ve seen abuse and put our heads down, and thanked God in ourselves that it’s not affecting us or those close to us; we’ve found a convenient truth for us and not even abuse around has stopped us from staying with that convenient truth. Often it because we do not know what else to do, but inside we know we’re living a lie. And then along come a new religion called the Way of the Livingness which asks ever and always that we be the love we are, the love that’s always been there deep within us, and it presents us with our responsibility, that we have a choice to live that love or not, and so what do we do? Do we allow our previous experiences to colour this? Or do we decide we do not want to be faced with the responsibility we know to live love? To live truth is to see all, and to see where we’ve been – not always comfortable and often times we run away from such a new religion as we do not want to face the choices we’ve made in our previous ones, the lies we’ve upheld. And yet here’s this new religion which never preaches but offers always a path back to the love we are. We just have to accept where we’ve been and the choices we’ve made and be prepared to unpick them, to understand and know what we’ve colluded with, and to lovingly change how we are with ourselves and those around. As someone who’s walking this journey, it’s absolutely worth it, sometimes challenging but there’s such a depth of love and truth there I cannot but return. So now my religion is the Way of the Livingness and what that means most of all is a relationship with me and my inner most truth.
IF you search deeply enough through the lineage of true world teachers, whether it was buddha, Yeshua, or Socrates, you start to find common links in what they were saying. In each and every case the religion that followed the passing over of these great teachings was a bastardisation of what was presented, and it was so easily bastardised because people tried to carry forth the teachings without actually living according to their dictates. And thus we have the situation today where theologists enter great intellectual discussions and arguments about the true nature of God purely from their mind and not from their lived experience. The nature of God cannot ever be understood by the simple mind of men, but it can easily be felt by our whole body. We were not ever designed to operate in parts, and thus why the mind can never of its own accord understand something that is meant to be connected to with the whole of us – in other words all of our body.
I agree Treeheart1, the same teaching can be found in all of the world’s true teachers and it is living within us all.. all we need to do is learn how to surrender to feel fully what is inside that is true and that continually calls us to go deeper to understand who we truly are.
A few of my friends always went to church once if not twice a week, until they realised how false some people were who attended, in church there was friendship, but outside people were totally different. It goes to show that true religion is a way of livingness.
Great point Sally, when I was a child I too felt this falsity and how many people were living a lie and then showing up to mass on a Sunday acting differently. What I love about The Way of the Livingness is there is no ‘off switch’ it is a true Religion you live 24/7 and the beautiful healing this offers everyone around you as well.
I love all that you have said here Joel. I think you’ve done a brilliant job of sensitively addressing and bringing understanding to why people may react to the mention of a new religion. And I couldn’t agree more – “So maybe we don’t need to walk away from a religious way of being but rather return to the original meaning and purpose of religion.”
I agree Fiona, it is definitely worth revisiting and exploring a true understanding of religion and what it means for us all equally.
The words that stood out for me Joel are – ‘……..it is the heart of the person and how they choose to live’. Thank you for sharing this wisdom with us all. The word ‘Religion’ has brought ‘the fear of God’ into the lives of many and it feels like when this has happened it is because we have lost connection to who we truly are and given our power away to something outside of us. The way we choose to live is the true indicator of the love and truth we carry in our lives and the choice is ours – returning to the original meaning and purpose is a choice we can make anytime.
‘Could it be that we have mistaken religion for a set of ideologies, canons and doctrines rather than a way of living that connects us to and confirms what we feel within?’. A great question which brings an opportunity to contemplate to what degree the meaning of the word ‘religion’ has become bastardised over a long period of time, given human beings are prone to faction, fiefdom and fighting when confronted with their ‘brothers’ who happen to hold differing beliefs.
“After all, we also find amazing, lovely, deeply caring people who live outside of religion and in other religions, so the common factor is not the religion, it is the heart of the person and how they choose to live.” This says it all Joel.
If we connect with each other already knowing there is a divinity, love at the core, within everyone from the experience of the loving connection we have with ourselves and the divinity within us, that surely brings us to true religion.
This is the hardest thing I feel to split apart, the doctrines and the essence of the soul that has chosen them. It is interesting to note how our value as a fellow being on earth is diminished when we say the only reason we have these values is because of something outside what is innately within.
I love what you are saying about religion, Joel. It is how we live our daily lives in order to be able to return from whence we have come. It is that simple but we make it complicated because we want to own the journey and make it ours and it then becomes about individuals rather than the all. This is why I love what Universal Medicine presents-it is for everyone.
Joel, you’ve really dissected our approaches to religion here. There is a huge hurt in us all down to how much we’ve invested in religions in the past (something out there to save us) and how we’ve been let down. Yet it all starts with us and our lack of responsibility – we’ve not wanted to address how we live and the consequences of that, so we’ve gone out there approaching religion looking for it to do that for us, to absolve us and the world and somehow make it better. Your point on doing good really resonated and shows clearly the evil of doing good, so rather than doing good if we lived in a way that honours us, such that we have true vitality we can share – that is a game changer and that is responsibility, looking at our part and how we can live and be in a way that shows us, and the world that it is possible to be here and to be love. And the second point is to watch our tendency and need to seek comfort, as you note many have come and offered us true religion (Jesus, Mohammed, Buddha etc.) and yet over time we’re re-interpreted it so that we can continue in our old ways, again it comes back to looking outside us for solutions, ultimately we have to come within and live from there out rather than looking outside us for something to save us. Otherwise we take any true way and bastardize us to suit our comfort and irresponsibility.
… This is indeed the message that needs to be told… the profound and wonderful truth that religion can be what the world so desperately needs… that Is a living and loving ongoing reconnection that honours the individual deeply and the one part of humanity immensely.
‘The Way of the Livingness’ is a way to live that makes absolute sense to me.
It is the way I choose to live that supports purpose, integrity and true open hearted connection with everyone equally.
The main current religions have not done us or God any favours. The concept of religion has become so devoid of true responsibility, love, brotherhood. They not only fail to confirm:
– that we are all equal Sons of God,
– that we are never judged but always lovingly supported to return to our true grandness,
– that we have access to the greatest wisdom and awareness by simply choosing to live
– the expression of our Soul,
– and that our age old suffering has been due to our choice to heed the call of our self-centred spirit to be separate to all our fellow brothers, God and the universe
but they have been actively claiming the absolute opposite! In short the have been misleading us for a very long time.
When I came to Universal Medicine and the Way of the Livingness it took me a long time to open up and see what was in front me. Thank goodness that Serge Benhayon and his family have been so consistently living a way that my heart has deeply appreciated and has aligned to – and then I realised that THIS is what religion is. It about the way we live and connect. What a relief. Now I understand that the truth and origin of the other religions would have been the same – wise Sons of God living in accordance to their Soul and inspiring others. And I am grateful to be offered the same at this point, in my life right now.
There is a point that struck me upon rereading this blog: that the inspirations for three of the major religions all shared the common stance that the religion of their day was missing the mark.
Yet, now hundreds, if not thousands, of years later we assume that the only way forward with religion is to continue along the same path that was laid down by those who reinterpreted these original great teachers, and any others who may come along in the meantime to perform the same duty of correcting our journey are nothing but charlatans.
It is as if many of those who reinterpreted these masters’ teachings for their own means, learned a lesson from them in how to ensure that they are not exposed by another world teacher. They learned how to cloak themselves in the garb of truth, but with a slant to it which solidified themselves and their reinterpreted teachings as the ONLY truth, and all others have been deemed heretics or simply insane.
Your article reads so easily Joel, almost belying the fact that you have fully called to account the hypocrisy and the harm done by so much enacted in the name of religion, that is in no way truly religious or godly by nature, at all.
I wholeheartedly agree with your words: “Could it be that we have mistaken religion for a set of ideologies, canons and doctrines rather than a way of living that connects us to and confirms what we feel within?”
What gross misinterpretation, bastardisation and complete misrepresentations of the essential nature of religion we have had throughout our history, and continuing today… It is little wonder that so many baulk at the very notion of the word ‘religion’ itself.
In The Way of the Livingness, I have also found confirmation, with no bastardisation whatsoever, of all that I have always known within about my relationship with my own divinity and God. And what a blessing and true personal choice it is, to reclaim the true meaning of religion – that which reconnects us to our divine nature, once again.
Amazing Blog Joel thank you! You and I deeply agree:”This is a religion that makes sense to me and this is the religion I have come to know as The Way of The Livingness.”
I know I was very sensitive to the word Religion for many years, after being bought up Catholic and feeling the lovelessness in this Religion I walked away determined to never return to Religion and was even unsure about how I felt about God. When I was first introduced to The Way of the Livingness a Religion there was a hesitation and suspicion in me because of the hurt I was carrying from the Catholic Religion. This feeling didn’t last long because The Way of the Livingness is a true Religion with true brotherhood, where I have re-connected to God and the truth of who I am – what joy this Religion has bought to my life and countless others.
Yes, Anna this is healing to read the comments and to claim back The Way of the Livingness” a religion many of us have belonged to already in the past in many lives. And yes it is “a true Religion with true brotherhood”.
Thanks for the comment Anna, I agree and shared the same hesitation with the word religion an assigning it to something ‘new’. The fact is though, the way of the livingness makes so much sense and inspires such a sacred way of living that it can be anything but religious.
Thank you Joel, a truthful sharing. I would not have believed I would find true religion, after having left the one I was born into in my early twenties, after becoming disillusioned. I feel so fortunate to have found The Way of The Livingness as presented to us by Serge Benhayon. To know that we are, and have always been , Sons of God, not a new religion but the true Religion we have all been part of from day one, lovingly shared with us again for us to remember and return to who we truly are, everyone of us.
Humanity has managed to create different religions based on a possible interpretation of the teachings and messages of several Soulful messengers (Buddha, Jesus, Mohammed). The Way of the Livingness is the first religion that offers a truly encompassing vision and narrative of the world, relate with our living ways (hence our body) and which does not play ball with introducing separation in the name of re-ligio (that is re-bonding). As far as I know, it has also produced its first miracle: it has made me renounce posing as an Atheist.
Reading this blog and the comments made me let go of so much of a resistance that I held towards the word religion. I am feeling how all these ideals and believes I had are not true and that religion is so very simple, a living way from within our hearts that is truly beautiful. I even feel religion can be very joyful! Thank you Joel for writing the blog.
All religions talk of an all loving God that is everywhere. It has always felt strange then that there are specific places of worship (but God is everywhere!), there are people who are seen as worthy or unworthy of God’s love (but God is all loving!), there are theories of vindictive punishment like torture and damnation (didn’t we already say God is all loving?), ‘faith’ is asked for in order to accept the dogma presented (but God is everywhere and in everything so if there is truth, every aspect of life including science and philosophy merges and becomes complementary aspects of the one whole – no ‘faith’ needed). I love the Way of the Livingness, and the way philosophy of life and science is included and honoured within it. The depth of understanding and engagement with people, with life and with the whole of the Universe this offers is huge, and every day I am offered the opportunity to deepen this relationship and expand the vastness I feel from within. THIS to me is true religion and I would be as bold as to say what it offers has been what humanity has been searching for and craving for eons.
Dear Joel that is mind-blowing what you shared about religion in your powerful blog. I also found it very inspirational because you exposed with clear words what religion really means. Therefore I love this sentence very much: “Religion is simply about building a way of living that confirms we are all equal and returning to the fact that we are not just humans, but spirits and souls learning how to reconnect to what we have pushed away for many, many lifetimes… our own innate and ever present divinity.” How would this world look like if we all would live this way of religion?
I love the thought of a world dedicated to that same purpose.
I agree with your expression Karin in response to Joels awesome blog ‘The Audacitiy of a New Religion’ and to repeat your words “I only have to come back to myself and feel it’s truth.” it seems to me that one only needs to ‘feel’ within the depths of one’s own body whether it is true or not so – I find it is but a knowingness that for me is beyond words of explanation or justification – it just makes sense.
‘Could it be that many people have been manipulated by others promising ‘nirvana’ before? Of course, by manipulated I mean people choosing to take on a set of beliefs that suited their desire to escape or give away their power etc.’
Such a powerful and exposing observation of what I know I’ve fallen for in the past: wanting religion to give me all the feel good factors of being in a community, feeling loved and having a purpose and a connection with God- but without taking any responsibility for how my life was, how I was with myself at work, at home, and with others. I totally volunteered the giving of my power away to a religion I thought would give me, in exchange, a solution, a antidote for all my self-created woes. I wanted to shut my eyes and wished every ill choice I was unwilling to acknowledge I made to go away and if it didn’t I blamed God.
And all that time I was being held in God’s love, like everyone is, but I cut myself off from knowing it because I cut myself off from knowing my connection with God is within. I was never introduced to this truth until Universal Medicine or to the fact that, unless I can honestly take responsibility for that connection, I will continue to look outside myself for miracles but will remain blind to them.
So whenever I’ve had moments of questioning is this new religion – the connection with God from within- a fake? I only have to come back to myself and feel it’s truth.
Karin this is beautifully written, the responsibility to create our own connection with god, I for many years lived without giving the chance for god to be felt by me. But more often now than before I see that God sends amazing little messages everyday and that my connection to what is divinely there is as strong as I choose to make it. This connection needs not a building or scripture, it just is, always there, a constant in all our lives whether we choose it or not.
“Religion is not about rigid guidelines that control and separate us but about giving us a framework for becoming a forever student of life.”- I grew up with such rigid rules of how I should behave as a catholic girl that I gave my power away to the church, for fear of going to hell when I died if I didn’t obey the rules. I did not claim the beautiful essence of who I am, and natural divinity residing within me, until meeting Serge Benhayon and Universal Medicine.
I am now lovingly learning without perfection to live as a forever student of life.
I agree Joel, we do not have to walk away from a religious way of life, we just have to understand what a true religious way of life actually is and not the bastardized version that we have been sold for a long time.
I agree Elizabeth, so many of us either walk away despondent, resentful of god or try harder to be good and right but it will never work because what is being presented has never truly worked, but it appears to be beyond reproach.
Such an important point to call out Joel – that so much of what purports to be religious is held to be ‘beyond reproach’. Pretty darn strong fortresses and armaments of defence and control have been built around some of these institutions (dare I say, ‘political organisations’? there, said it…) haven’t they… Puts the U.S. army to shame.
US Army, coupled with the world best PR firms, politicians and spin doctors.
Very true, and cultivated for aeons…
The points you raised Joel about what religions truly are true, and I feel some are, many of the current so called religions are actually not religious. A word comes from a living way not the other way around. So if a person is living in a way that is truly religious this is then a religious person but if a person says they are religious and are actually not living the truth of the word they simply are not religious.
I agree Lieke. It is very disempowering and to our great compromise if we begin to be in a ‘religion’ and live to the way it dictates simply because it is not the religion that unites us but rather a living equal-ness that comes from within. It is a totally different way of considering religion if we begin to view it coming from within us and not from outside us.
“it is not the religion that unites us but rather a living equal-ness that comes from within.” such a beautiful line. So beautiful because it feels true and it is so simple, no need to follow a certain regime or set of rules to belong to the same religion. Just living in the way that is known in the heart of every men and women.
Well said Lieke, religion is a way of living and not related to any institution or to accord to any religious book. Religion is lived in all that we do and not a segregated part of our lives we e.g. only do un Sundays by going to church.
Well said Nico, it is a whole way of living.
The title makes me smile “audacity of a new religion” because new religion for me is The Way of the Livingness. I can indeed see how audacious it can appear when we stand tall and claim the truth, especially whilst there is so much stagnant falseness entrenched in the minds of humanity about what religion is. This audacity has been shown again and again throughout history when great philosophers of life have inspired people to drop the religions and rituals of the time and deepen their understanding and appreciation of the inner self as well as their relationship with one another, with God and with the whole Universe. And each time there was outrage by many who wished to keep the status quo, and afterwards the teachings were re-interpreted and dogma and secularism was adopted – exactly the opposite of what was actually taught! And here we have it again, one more time, another chance. And I am so grateful, because without this depth of love, and this beacon of truth which we are so gracefully offered, we would be condemned to continue spiralling downwards as we have been for millennia. Audacity of a new religion – which is actually a very old religion – makes me smile with my whole being. Bring it on!
Many people don’t like change, especially if it rocks the status quo and their comfortable position, their power and authority, this is especially true in religion as it stands. But religion as it stands is not something I and many ever wanted to be associated with in this life. Now if someone told me that religion was simply here to help,
‘deepen their understanding and appreciation of the inner self as well as their relationship with one another, with God and with the whole Universe.’ then I would be and am far more willing to embrace what for me is true religion.
Love it Golnaz, it’s so true how each world teacher, didn’t rock up and say “you’ve nailed it – keep going” …they typically point out just how far away from truth the society of the day is. So yes, Audacious and yes 100% needed.
The late and very insightful comedian Bill Hicks once commented on how those who realise that life is just a ride and an illusion that we shot those people, we ‘shut them up because this has got to be real’. We are so invested in what we have around us and what we believe in that if it is challenged it can make us very angry and violent. Just looking at the world around us it is such a mess, you would think we would want to hear the way out rather than cancelling out any smidgen of truth with lies and accusations – is so last millennium way to deal with a prophet of love. Let’s just try a new way, to listen, to be open, to experiment for ourselves and to reawaken that kingdom of god that is inside us – surely 2000 years of the same old same old is enough??
‘Audaciousness’ delivered with 100% love and truth, that is only interpreted as BEING ‘audacious’ due to the slumber we have wilfully chosen for so long – our dull acceptance of what has not truly represented religion at all…
Am with you Golnaz, bring it on. It may be feel bold at times to begin with, but when one has an intimate relationship with God that is so deeply personal and known, it’s all very normal….
It is unfortunate that our general experience of what religion generally has to offer often stops us from claiming the fact that we do have an ongoing relationship with God that is deeply personal and needs nothing of the dogma we associate with the word for it to be true and claimed as such.
We often give our power away to religion out of a need of feeling protected by a group. Why is it seemingly so difficult for us to stand up for the truth as we feel it and establish a connection with other, regardless of their opinion and way of life? Not looking at the surface, but looking inside, seeing the love that unites us all.
‘Could it be that we have mistaken religion for a set of ideologies, canons and doctrines rather than a way of living that connects us to and confirms what we feel within?’ Joel this is exactly what we have done mostly due to the fact that every religion until now has been this way. UNTIL The Way of the Livingness. The Way of the Livingness is just that. THE WAY. A livingness that can be felt in our daily lives. A connection to our own divinity.
The mere title of your writing Joel speaks to me whenever I come across it. When we hear the world religion I would say the majority of us associates it with or somehow with the so called world religions we know of today. They have a validity because they have been around for a while and nobody really questions them. But none of these so called religions represent all of humanity, they are always for the selected few. So the audacity of a new religion does not really lie in the new but in the truth of what religion is, the connection with oneself and relationship with God, which does not require any institution to validate it nor any rules to make it real it is only an offering to follow one’s heart, to re-connect to what is innately ours.
Esther what you say makes so much sense and is what I have come to understand the world religions to be today. There is no unity within them all and as you say a select few creating a separation between all. I was brought up catholic and for me it always felt true that there is a God but I didn’t feel I needed to go to church to be with a congregation to have this relationship with him. God is every where and with everyone, the first place I have this relationship is within myself. Universal Medicine has been a steady rock that has supported me to deepen this relationship with myself hence God. I too study and live The Way of the Livingness and it feels so True and includes ALL.
“They have a validity because they have been around for a while and nobody really questions them” – This a great Esther. There are so many habits past societies have had that the world clear said it’s not working and we shouldn’t continue with that, but with religion it is a no go zone to question.
And no one looks at how these religions were formed back then, and the long, cruel and abusive ways that were executed to have these religions established and maintained. Just because something has been around for a long time does not mean it is good, nor right, nor in the slightest, ok.
When I was younger I asked to be confirmed because I could feel a greater Universal Love than what I could see and feel we were connected to and living, I felt by doing this (being confirmed) it would align me to that Love and show my dedication and devotion. I could not have been further away from the truth and could see more and more that even with the best intention of people the church was loveless, dogmatic, heavy and not truly connecting to that source of love I felt but instead giving power away to something outside of ourselves. Growing up I got to see and feel the truth of all religions and it didn’t feel good. As you have said people have started wars and committed murder in the guise of religion! It has been in the complete opposite direction of what it was supposed to be about. It was (and still is) a word people hide behind and think gives them the power and right to do what they want. The word religion has been really bastardised. While reading your blog I can still feel that when someone says the word Religion to me I still see all this, what it is not, however I am surprised to say this is becoming less and less because the true meaning of religion has been presented to me and it is in line with the Love I felt when I was younger. That this is the Universal Love that has always been there for eons right by us and within us that we have walked away from. It is equal for all, knowing that we are in fact all equal and one, no one is less, no one is more. Serge Benhayon and Universal Medicine have helped me to feel and connect back to this Love I felt as a child. More importantly I now know and can feel that true Religion comes from us in how we live and how we allow ourselves to be connected to the True Love, Wisdom and Truth within in each and every moment.
It will take some time for sure, I am only just getting comfortable with saying out loud that I am religious; just today my daughter said we don’t have a religion and I said yes we do The Way of the Livingness, and it felt natural to say it, a big step forward.
Yes – but no amount has been able to wash it away – so we will feel the strenght in us and the absolute divinity that will come through once realized we have never lost – and it back again – it is in us , yes every single one of us.
Yes Joel, the suspicion and fear generated when a NEW religion is mentioned is palpable – it comes with a massive unspoken “oh no, not another one!”. As much as we have been hurt, disappointed and devastated by the existing religions, we would much rather stick with what we know, rather than put our trust in something when there is the potential that it may end up just like the other ones. I feel that often with religion we settle, better to have one then not – take the “good” parts and ignore the bad, the inequality, the discrimination, the separation and the abuse. But in this settling we actually give up on the fact that there is something more, we walk away from the “original meaning and purpose of religion”. Each point you write about what religion truly is is like a beacon calling us back to connect to a way of living we have been missing for so long – true religion – true connection with ourselves and others.
“in this settling we actually give up on the fact that there is something more, we walk away from the “original meaning and purpose of religion” — thanks for this simply, yet profound confirmation
Totally welcome Joel, thanks for your awesome article – it has prompted me to explore my relationship with religion more deeply.
Just this week in Paris, we can see the impact the old relationship with religion is having on the world; looking at this relationship more deeply is such an important step to take, for all of us.
Absolutely agree Joel, the old relationship with religion continues to pull us further from the connection we all long for and the equality we know is true.
Appreciating your comments Hannah and Joel, very much.
Could it be that in addressing our giving up as you’ve put it Hannah – our giving up on God, and our innate divinity – that we open the door to addressing our giving up in all aspects of our lives? i.e. in our ‘settling for less’ in relationships, our holding back our all from life and ‘being less’ than we are in our work, our connection to family, community, our lack of care for ourselves and others…?
This level of giving up and settling for what does not truly represent religion, or a religious way, represents the cornerstone of our relationship with life here, and the depth of purpose from which it can be lived.
Reading you comment made me realise, that I had not really thought that I had given up, because I put so much effort into looking for something true; but I only ever looked in the pool I was swimming in not realising there was a different pool that was far less destructive, imposing and judgemental and that that was what I had given up on.
yes I agree that is brilliantly nailed by Hannah, the giving up is huge and accepting less has landed us where we are today.
Great thread here, I totally gave up on God to the point I wasn’t even sure that one existed and couldn’t quite understand those that were so confident that God existed. That seems like another person, part of the reason I felt that way was because of what I saw in religions around the world not one being true to its name in action, but as I have lived more connected to that within, I know in my body that there is God, that there is magic of God and the love of God, and because it is not an intellectual theory or philosophy it is a felt experience in my body no one can talk me out of it or bring doubt to me as to my origins. And as far as depth of purpose when you feel this in your body it informs everything and every relationship, I often don’t live it in full but I know what it feels like. An absolute love for everyone and everything, true purpose.
I love the way you describe this Hannah in that true religion “is like a beacon calling us back to connect to a way of living we have been missing for so long”… Just like the lighthouse beacons that keep reflecting light to warn passing ships, the light keeps reflecting in the face of all weather and regardless of whether or not a ship steers course as a result. It is our responsibility to feel where there is a true reflection of light and true religion – and for me – this has only ever been found in The Way of The Livingness.
Thank you Angela – love the way you’ve so beautifully expanded on the lighthouse metaphor – it is indeed our responsibility to “…feel where there is a true reflection of light and true religion”.
I agree I have only found this in The Way of the Livingness.
Beautiful revelation Hannah, the fear of ‘may ending up just like the other ones’ had come in mind at first when I heard about Universal Medicine- simply because I was used to speak and hear people speak about religion in a negative way or separating way or exlusiveness. All I resisted to be part of , I thought I was doing good, by choosing no religion. But what I realized recently since becoming my own teacher of life again (under the hands of God), I realized that giving up on God, giving up on what religions feels to me (because I had been introduced to religions from all angles that did not feel true or in any way the truth I felt inside of me) – I matter to come back to religion again, but only by the absolute support of the Presentations by Serge Benhayon, which supported me to feel and land on the floor and keep standing about the subject: religion. Now I stay with what I feel over what I hear and see. Just simply because my feelings do not always match what I hear or see around me. I trust that what I know inside me is real, because it makes me feel warm, settled, loving and super beautiful.
Simply gorgeous Danna – “I trust that what I know inside me is real, because it makes me feel warm, settled, loving and super beautiful.” – you’d be crazy to doubt something that makes you feel that!
Haha Yes absurdly true! No wonder Universal Medicine brings up tears of joy in my eyes every time I think of it – simply because what I feel inside me that is so enjoyable has been fully inspired by Universal Medicine, all the Benhayon family I know.
Interesting point here Hannah in that in accepting only what we feel are the ‘good’ parts in any particular religion, that this leads to separation, discrimination and even further divide amongst us. I have discovered that true religion has no good, nor bad parts, – it is simply truth in whole and in full. True religion is available for all and is all about brotherhood…. I have found the only religion that has reflected this to me is The Way of The Livingness.
Yes Angela, there is no compromise with true religion. The Way of the Livingness is the only religion I have experienced that is 100% truth-full, no vagaries, no hidden agendas, no separation.
This giving up is present in so many parts of our lives, giving up what is innately us has detrimental effects on our lives and wellbeing. This inspired me to feel into what I have given up on, true religion, so actually a true way of life.
Yes Benkt, and a true way of connecting with others.
“Religion is about the way we live in respect of and in connection to our own innate divinity.” This line describing religion sums it up so simply. The world issues around religion have arisen when this is not lived and religion becomes a concept, an ideal rather than connecting to the love that is within and seeing this in everyone equally.
“maybe we don’t need to walk away from a religious way of being but rather return to the original meaning and purpose of religion.” This is such a true statement and which is presented by the Way Of The Livingness. In essence it is therefore not ‘new religion’ but a return to the old. This is challenging to accept in so many ways but in particular to admit we have got it ‘wrong’ and invested in it for so long.
It is not the external stuff that matters but “…the heart of the person and how they choose to live” that truly counts.
Joel, I like your use of the word ‘Audacity’ in the title of this blog: It implies a ‘How dare they!’ which shows up the structured ideals that don’t want to be shaken, and suggests the insecure foundation of belief which fears a ‘competing’ religion. A religion based on a deep knowing of God would not feel threatened and there would be no need to cry ‘cult’ for there would be an openness to any way of life that was truly religious and there would not be a sense of threat from any empty imposter.
Joel, you make a good point in this blog about the truth of manipulation. Too often we blame others for manipulating us but in actual fact we choose to be party to this because it suits our agenda which may be to escape, hide, or not be in our full power. In truth we are never a victim.
“Religion is not about showing us what we need to become but should be confirming of the glory that we already are.” – Yes I agree and would add that it is also about us then bringing out this glory or divinity or love in our everyday lives in the relationship we have with ourselves, the way we move, work and interact with everyone we meet.
I agree Fiona…the glory, divinity and love cannot be contained – it is to share with all equally so.
The oldest religion in the world, The Ageless Wisdom – the one that has been taken, twisted, turned about by the minds of men, to in fact destroy any semblance of harmony on this planet, has now returned through the hearts of men, to behold and never to be hidden again.
Whilst for many eons authoritarian institutions have labelled their activities religion, there has always been the movement of the Ageless Wisdom presenting the truth about who we are and what life is about. It has come around again in The Way of The Livingness.
Joel Levin has written religion just as I understand it – straight from the heart that belongs to the same home!
Wherever we are with our relationship with religion, it is deeply hurtful and bewildering to witness such pillars that claim they are the voice of God and say they are providing guidance towards a closer relationship with him, commit atrocities such as ignoring child abuse, misleading information about God such as him being dictatorial and vindictive, carry out acts of atrocity in the name of God and tell us that we are simply not good enough in the eyes of God. All of this we can feel deep down is not okay. To make it worse when I turned from traditional religions to alternative propositions, they did not come out as true to my heart either. The feeling of being let down and taken for a ride, and the shame and frustration with myself to have fallen for it was huge. “Never again” “I will be more cautious next time” were the vows. It is refreshing and very welcome the ‘the Way of The Livingness” is truly a religion of my heart, there is no dictation or anyone claiming to know better. A truly empowering religion and offering all the points you list Joel as the original meaning of religion. The two points I particularly love:
– showing us what we need to become but should be confirming of the glory that we already are.
– a way of living that confirms we are all equal and returning to the fact that we are not just humans, but spirits and souls learning how to reconnect to what we have pushed away for many, many lifetimes… our own innate and ever present divinity.
Well described Golnaz. Fundamentally, we do know that there is so much done in the ‘name of God’ that is far, far from ok. This innate knowing speaks to me of the innate knowing of God that each of us has – or if one doesn’t choose to use refer to God or ‘a God’, simply our innate knowing of what represents Love and Truth.
It’s so important to have these conversations about what purports to be done in the name of God, or Love, but isn’t – for we react at deep levels to this, leading so often as you’ve described, to our giving up. Remaining closed and given up only hurts us more…
What then, when a religious way IS presented that carries no such pretence nor imposition? We do need to let go the hurt of what hasn’t been true, that we may open up again to the possibility of God, Love and a relationship with religion – even if by the very word ‘religion’ itself, again. And share these conversations, as a necessary part of our collective healing.
I agree that loving, caring and deeply tender people are that way because they live with and from their hearts, it is nothing to do with the church they belong to and is a relationship that needs nurturing every moment of every day.
I absolutely agree with your closing paragraphs Joel. Thankyou for sharing.
The word “religion” and the word “love” have undergone a very similar bastardization. For both of them humanity searches outside of them, and I feel so blessed to have learned to look inside instead, understanding the harming ways of giving my power away by searching outside of me. Now that I know love as my true innermost essence, and learned about the roots of the word “religion”, I have discovered that it is my very natural relationship with God, inside of me, my love and the love of God meeting.
Same here, Marika. I would never consider myself being called religious. And I know God, I know that we are all of the same Divine nature. The word religious was so tinted that I wouldn’t use it. Until now when true meaning of the word religion is restored and I understand more about it and my place in the picture. Thanks Serge Benhayon and Joel and all the brothers who take part in it.
“Religion is simply about building a way of living that confirms we are all equal and returning to the fact that we are not just humans, but spirits and souls learning how to reconnect to what we have pushed away for many, many lifetimes… our own innate and ever present divinity.” I am deeply appreciating and thank God every day that I have returned to know and live with this divine truth in my body each and every day, a livingness which reflects the same understandings to all I interact with so they too have the same opportunity to equally know it. Wow to that.
I was also pondering on why we have such a strong reaction to ‘new religion’. My feeling is that to accept the truth of The Way of The Livingness, we would have to admit and come to terms with all the things we have loaded religion with that have not been true, but have provided a comfort and a cover for the agony felt in having left ourselves behind. True religion is that re-connection to our own divine essence and living life from this awareness. I know that once I connected to this truth, no one could tell me otherwise, it is a religion I know from my body and can live from there.
The truth exposed here is awesome – thank you Joel. “Could it be that we have mistaken religion for a set of ideologies, canons and doctrines rather than a way of living that connects us to and confirms what we feel within?” I have come to find that true religion is not outside me; nothing or no-one can tell me about God. It is a connection felt within my body and therefore from this connection I feel God in every thing and every one around me. It is work in progress in my consistency of this connection but Universal Medicine presenting The Way of the Livingness supports me enormously in this connection to myself.
It is quite strange how people hang onto an old religion and attempt to live in the past when it’s easy to notice how time changes in one lifetime, let alone from 20 past lifetimes. Whilst the essence of some messages of the past can be true, the messenger can have changed the message many times along the way with translations into different languages. We have here today a new religion right in front of us that we can return home to in our bodies. ‘ Religion is about the way we live in respect of and in connection to our own innate divinity.’ That feels the truth.
“Maybe we react because we have invested so much in a religion being ‘the way’. You can see people terrified that if their religion is not “it” there might be nothing else?” This is so true. I have observed this in another; they panic and then they seek outside themselves and get the confirmation they so desperately need in that moment to make them feel better. Learning to accept another’s choice in the religion they choose has been a big one for me but as I become more open and loving it is getting much easier. It always comes down to me and my livingness.
“Religion is about the way we live in respect of and in connection to our own innate divinity.” This feels so confirming of what I have always known inside.
Totally awesome blog Joel, I love how you have simply read what is going on in such detail. What came up for me reading this, was how I always felt like I was not ‘good’ enough or we were less as a family because we didn’t go to church or had a religion. What I’ve seen and heard of many religions, and from the vile acts done in the name of religion, is there is very much an ‘us’ and ‘them’ mentality. Then whatever is done in the name of religion is justified because its all about the outer, and the inner quality that is the same in all of us is discounted.
That has been true for me to Aimee, the paradox of religions promoting brotherhood yet in the same breath setting up ‘us’ and ‘them’ – it just doesn’t fit together.
The institutionalized religions and the false pillars that they stand on clearly are not working, one only has to look at the wars, sexual abuse, rapes, murder etc. etc. To see that a new way for humanity is needed, this has to start with the individual, as humanity is made up of individual people.
I agree Joel, the answer is not about walking away from religions, as that feels like we would go further astray, but rather to re-turn back to the original meanings of religion, and the meaning of the word religion, union with self.
“Religion is not about waiting for a saviour but about each person taking maximum responsibility for saving themselves.” This point alone if we all as individuals would start to embrace this to best of our ability and take responsibility for our actions, how we treated our bodies and each other bringing more love and care would completely change the world.
“The current Royal Commission into Institutionalized Child Abuse in Australia is showing how established religions had clergy abusing children and then ignored what the children were saying to protect the image of the religion. The result was that clergy were often relocated, like a virus, and allowed to continue to offend.”
This expose’s the lies and deceit that goes on behind the closed doors of some major religions, then IF the press report it, they make it about the individual person who carried out the abuse, rather than looking at the bigger picture of the whole religion and how they are living.
Wow, what an amazing super inspired blog Joel, exposing the age old rot that religion has had as a strong hold over humanity, crushing our divine connection to our bodies, God and the love that we are.
Spectacular Joel. The bastardisation of religion sits as a deep hurt in every human to the point we are so numbed to even be aware of the travesty of it all.
What has been perpetrated in the name of religion is everything that true religion is not. There has been an obvious plan to bastardise religion away from its true service, what it can truly bring humanity. But it has not succeeded as the truth a has always been there over the ages, and Serge Benhayon offers it all back to us.
‘So maybe we don’t need to walk away from a religious way of being but rather return to the original meaning and purpose of religion.’ – The Way of the Livingness is a religion that I can fully embrace as it embraces me for who I truly am – a son of God – and equal to all.
Joel, I feel the investment people have in their religion being the only way is a huge part of the defensive nature of how much religion is approached. Religion should be inclusive and open, understanding and compassionate, yet we are not seeing this in very much of the religious ways around the world. instead it is used as a block between people, a divisive barrier that stops us living in harmony,
Totally agree Stephen, true religion is nothing but inclusive, so anything outside of that is for self. Its almost like some people hold up a shield against another person, that prevents them from seeing or even feeling that we are all the same.
Yes, Aimee, a shield, in fact we could go as far as to say that much religious activity these days is wielded as a weapon. If you look at the intolerance that much of the interpreted religious doctrine evokes, a dislike of other cultures and those with a different outlook on life. If religion divides us then it should not really be considered religion at all but something entirely different.
I have always been very religious but never found a religion that matched my own relationship with God. That is until I ‘found’ The Way of the Livingness which is simply the most exquisite home coming embrace.
Beautiful Matilda. This too is my experience. The joy felt when I found ‘The Way of Livingness’ was immense as finally I was able to fully embrace my relationship with God, without holding back; an expression which I had allowed to be denied for so long and which had deeply hurt.
Yes , how gorgeous it is to be a able to say ‘I am religious’ and embrace it in full. The Way of the Livingness has allowed me to do that because It is everything I naturally am.
In true religion we can hold the grace that god lives in the heart and soul of all of us equally through our choices to connect. It is nothing like that which requires an enormous amount of manipulation, control and energy to impose versions that keep us lessor than we truly are.
I totally love this.
Religion is definitely not about being saved, which many have hung their hat on. Religion is about relationship with self and others equally so. Religion is the heart of the universe that we reside in and never is it above or below another by comparison. When we start living a truly religious way we will come back together in union with all and never be divided by the teachings it has today become.
Awesome Joel, thank you for presenting this…. I think you were spot on when it comes to a new religion- that people are weary as they’ve been played before. Past hurts rule our lives. What if something true is just around the corner though we are to blind to see it. This was a great question posed- “Could it be that we have mistaken religion for a set of ideologies, canons and doctrines rather than a way of living that connects us to and confirms what we feel within?” Sums it up perfectly.
Beautiful Joel. Is it that all the horrific acts, torture, genocide, rape, paedophilia, oppression, just to name a few, have a common basis of disconnection? Every religion has had its share of woes and as you say, there are a genuinely loving people within every religion, and without, so what if it actually is about a true connection within ourselves, and connection to our heart that allows us to connect and be loving with all of humanity irrespective of the kind of world we are immersed in. It makes sense that true religion is about living a way of being that allows Love in full and living connected to our Soul – feeling what is true first and know ourselves in that truth, and from there we can learn to live in every way in service to all.
A great question and comment Annie, what if religion in its true sense is, ‘about a true connection within ourselves, and connection to our heart that allows us to connect and be loving with all of humanity irrespective of the kind of world we are immersed in’? Yes, and ‘that true religion is about living a way of being that allows Love in full and living connected to our Soul’. To me, this makes sense and is what I embrace.
This I stand by “…so the common factor is not the religion, it is the heart of the person and how they choose to live.” Is the talk in the walk and the walk in the talk…so to speak! This is something that I feel within myself and for me is the reflection of religion, the connection with heart and living from that.
Joel it is absolutely beautiful to bring the topic of religion back to people. It is not about the name religion, it is about us. What we live is what becomes religion. We are the defining factors of what religion becomes. The responsibility we take, the choices we make is religion.
Religion for the most part of the world is a protection used to live up to something which is not chosen to be lived consistently, and hence there is an emptiness felt when the word is used, and if the word is used righteously to hide the choices talked but not walked, it is a plain lie. For the truth of the word to shine through, religion has to be lived, and if it is not, the word simply does not reflect its truth.
A brilliant expose of how words get mutated. Whenever a word is brought home it starts to shine again. We can feel it and then simply need to listen.
I am no learned scholar when it comes to the role of religion in our world, but I do know that it has a lot to answer for – with regard to the false sense of what religious organisations are, looks like, feels like and often forces masses of people to do: “There is such incongruence in seeing institutions that purport to be able to help us understand an aspect of our lives that is so sacred and special to many, behaving in a way that is so contrary to that sacredness.” A religious way of life focused on oneself as a part of the whole makes a lot of sense to me.
And that’s exactly it Oliver. No-one need be a ‘studied theologian’ or academic genius of any sort in order to see plain and simple, the hypocrisy here – so much done in ‘God’s name’ that bears no connection whatsoever to love, truth and the essential nature of our divinity.
It’s simple common sense. I saw it as a child and ‘opted out’ of the false version of religion that was being pushed at my (government) school. Anything that is not truly representative of God’s love can be felt by us all, feelings which should never, ever be dishonoured, ridiculed or shouted down by false imposed ideology, however much of a ‘hold’ it has over a large percentage of the population.
The way you present the true meaning of this word ‘Religion’ breaks through all the layers of complications that have been built round it and reveals how it is actually such a simple and beautiful thing.
Thats true Eleanor, and on top of this much religion is presented as mysterious and beyond our comprehension when in fact nothing could be further from the truth. Religion is simple and within reach of us all.
“Religion is not about grand cathedrals and the politics of powerful clergy, but finding ways to honour the sacredness that is inherent within each person, wherever we live or work.” I totally agree Joel – divinity is innately present in the essence of every single person and for me religion is about learning to bring this out in our everyday way of living, expression and relationships. The Way of the Livingness supports this completely.
“Religion is not about rigid guidelines that control and separate us but about giving us a framework for becoming a forever student of life.” This is so refreshing and feels true. I grew up in a culture where the religion had so many rules, controls and it did not allow others who where not born in the community to join in, it was separative, I could not live like that way, so I broke away from it. Over the last 15 years the community has changed and realised that, that way of living does not work,
Yeah true Amita. Having someone tell you how and what to do in a religion doesn’t work. It caps you.
Yes for sure Amita, and religion should never separate one from one another. That any religion does this is a crying shame, you could even say an outrage that we allow this to be so. Religion should create love, warmth and harmony between people and bring us closer not further apart. A true religion should be able to break through the barriers of culture, race and nationalism that we currently use to also separate us from one another.
It is because of this religion, The Way of the Livingness, that I am no longer afraid to tell someone I am religious and that I follow a new way of living religion and in relationship with God. Because of the qualities of integrity, responsibility, love, truth and absolute steadiness that I see and feel in myself and others who now walk and express the way of the livingness I know this is The Way and I have not seen or known anything else here on earth that shows me otherwise.
Same with me Elizabeth, I wouldn’t have said years ago that I was religious. In fact, I did not really even have any opinion of God. But it is through my own learning and being a student of the Way of the Livingness that I have claimed that back within myself and very proudly now say that I am religious.
This has been my experience too Elizabeth. Being religious for me was something to be shunned, but there is something very natural about the way of the livingness.
Yea super true Joel, it’s so natural. Just like being ourselves 😉 it’s part of who we are. Otherwise, the bastardised religion wouldn’t be able to be as big as it is today. We can all sense a small truth in them, and so fall for it as there is not many other examples of true religion and connection.
it’s part of who we are…. how true is that.
Exactly Elisabeth, that has been my experience too. I also really enjoy reading Joel’s blogs, he does have a beautiful way of expressing the truth.
I know without a doubt that when I come across a blog written by Joel Levin, I have something grand before me. Joel has a beautiful way of presenting the truth he knows and lives. It is never less than something very important for Humanity to read and understand. Keep writing for Humanity Joel. What I have just read is clear, awe-some, simple truth. Thank you – you inspire me to go out and say it simply as it is.
That is such a beautiful comment Elizabeth, Joel writes from the depth of his heart and living experience, every word is written from a body that knows true religion. The path back to God lies inside us all and Joel brings us simply back to the point, celebrate our sacred divinity and keep allowing and accepting we will discover more glory every day, a Forever Student of The Way of the Livingness.
“But what if the amazing, lovely, deeply caring people who are in religions are not amazing, lovely, deeply caring people because of the religion, but because of who they are within themselves?
After all, we also find amazing, lovely, deeply caring people who live outside of religion and in other religions, so the common factor is not the religion, it is the heart of the person and how they choose to live.” Well said Joel, and such an important point for us all to be aware of, thank you so much for this amazing and important blog.
This is the pure and simple truth – “So maybe we don’t need to walk away from a religious way of being but rather return to the original meaning and purpose of religion”. I was so scarred by the religion from my upbringing that I did not want to go anywhere near religion until I came to a full understanding of what true religion and a religious way of being is all about and then I had no issue declaring myself to be deeply religious. Thank you Joel, I love this blog.
Totally Agree Elizabeth, when we come “to a full understanding of what true religion and a religious way of being is all about” then there is absolutely no issue in declaring ourselves as religious, as the truth once known, resonated very deeply within us all.
absolutely Elizabeth, when I was deeply disappointed by religion I became ‘anti’ which kept me from understudying what true religion was and from claiming what I felt within was true about God and the foundation of what religion was before it became bastardised. Now knowing what religion truly is I am 100% pro 🙂
I have shared your experience, Elizabeth, turned away from the concept of religion by the way it has been practice by the faith of my childhood and returned to religion by seeing how natural and accessible The Way of the Livingness makes it.
It is a tragedy that religion has been bastardised over time, and that we are in the situation today where it has been so bastardised that it now stands as one of the great foundations for the expression of evil. It is more so a tragedy because such bastardisation stops us from exploring the possibility that religion can be true and an integral part of every human being’s life.
It is very much a tragedy Adam, as we are all innately religious, by the true meaning of this word. Thank God for Universal Medicine and Serge Benhayon for bringing back the truth of what a Religion is, and what it means to truly live that every day.
Such a great point Adam. If it wasn’t to be bastardised the world would be so much more harmonious. It’s sad that it is seen to have the foundations for the expression of evil, when it should be nothing like the sort… Yet something we can all recognise as home.
Indeed, Adam. The very word ‘religion’ has been co-opted by the institutions of organised religion in such a way that most people shrink at the very mention of the word. Yet what is actually there in religion and what religion truly means, to reconnect to what we truly are as divine souls, is there always for us regardless of what new meaning might have been foisted upon us. Language changes all the time, and when used in their proper meaning they are dragged out of the depths of misunderstanding and manipulation back to their true power and purpose.
Indeed Adam – one has to really question why the absolute expression of who we are and framework to connect us to our divinity has been utterly distorted to mean the exact opposite?
Yes Adam, so natural that it is how we live everyday. Really what stands out for me is The Way of the Livingness is not about doing anything but simply being who we are. I’ve never felt or heard any religion present that its about the way we live and love everyday.
Well said Adam I agree, religion has been so bastardised that it has turned so many people against it which is indeed very sad. If I had not come across Universal Medicine I would have been one of those people after spending my childhood going to Sunday school. There is another way, The Way of the Livingness and this is now my religion as the way in which I choose to live means every thing to me.
Such a simple observation that will hopefully one day find itself on the front page of every news paper: “After all, we also find amazing, lovely, deeply caring people who live outside of religion and in other religions, so the common factor is not the religion, it is the heart of the person and how they choose to live.”
I agree, this is what we need on the front pages of our daily news papers. Truth that reminds us how much truth we know and with that rebuilding our sense of common sense and what makes sense.
Yes hopefully it will be Oliver – we’ll all fall in love with people again once realised, not ideas and concepts. It would be amazing to recognise that it’s who we are and the way we live that connects us.
This is what also came to me Oliver – this should be in every newspaper, this is news headlines – “what is true religion?” Imagine learning this as a unit in school?
“Religion is not about showing us what we need to become but should be confirming of the glory that we already are” well said Joel and this is the strength and truth that The Way of the Livingness shows; we are all equal to God, we may not (yet) be living this magnificence but it does not make it less true. There is no other religion on earth that shares this truth in full.
I have always felt a strong connection to God but spent many years searching different religions to see if they had the answers and along the way even though I met some lovely people who meant well, deep down they were like me, lost. So then I went to the spiritual new age movement and again the same thing – people struggling and in turmoil. Then I went back to the spiritualist movement I was brought up with as a kid and again the same thing – people just getting by as best they could. Then I met Serge Benhayon and the Truth of what he was presenting stood out like a shining light in the darkness, and more importantly, for the first time in my life I had found people living instead of existing.
The way in which you have pointed out what religion is not and what it in fact it is, is so beautiful. I claim this religion as my own.
Once again Joel you have delivered a much needed commentary on the word religion and why we have such sensitivity to the word. All of what you have expressed is exactly how I have always felt about religion and why it has not felt true. As a child, I remember knowing that there was one God, and all religions actually say the same things in essence, and I wondered why there was always so much division and disharmony in the World. When I went travelling when I finished school, I hated being called ‘an Aussie’ because then they expected all the cultural stereotypes, none of which I fitted because I didn’t live in the bush and didn’t like football or cricket! We have lost our way with religion, sport and cultural delineations, rather than focusing on what we have in common, how we are all the same in our essence, the same amazing and lovely beings, and connecting to our innate divinity creates the possibility of living in brotherhood.
I completely agree with you Joel and in fact wrote an article a year or two ago about the bastardisation of the word religion. Religion is a very beautiful word and all about having a relationship with YOURSELF and not some external controlling power or a man with a long white beard sitting in the clouds. Here is a link to that article: http://www.unimedliving.com/unimedpedia/truth-in-words/exposing-the-evil-behind-the-bastardisation-of-words.html
Great article that is well worth the read. The man in the long flowing robes an all the other projections we create to do the one thing religion asks us to do…define our relationship with God in how we live and care for ourselves.
I have read this blog so many times and each time I have connected to a truer deeper understanding of the essence of religion. I also get such a different understanding with my relationship with “The Way of the Livingness” as a religion and as my religion. Never before have I been so proud to be a part of something that represents true truth and unwavering love, as it is unwavering in nature and ever expanding in essence.
Unimedpedia Religion – http://www.unimedliving.com/unimedpedia/word-index/unimedpedia-religion.html provides some great quotes and free audio as to what the true meaning of the word religion is – which like you say Joel is not how we commonly use it at all.
How wonderfully refreshing it is to drop all that nonsense and come back to the simple truth of religion. My whole body sighs the deepest and most joyful of ‘ahhh’s’ at the prospect.
Yes – when we think of the word religion these days our first thoughts are about religious wars, sex-abuse scandals and the like. This is a million miles away from the truth that religion originates from – that ‘connection with ourselves and others’… and of course God.
Love your comment Martin and when you read it like this and get the understanding that it is in fact an age old intended that all religions know exactly what they have chosen and to dig deeper like yourself and Joel have expose is showing that they have done so to keep you away from the Truest relationship with God that is simply and easy possible. The Way of the Livingness is exactly this a pure an altered relationship with God.
A very powerful article Joel – that lovingly and truthfully debases what we all have been exposed to in relation to established religions of the world throughout the ages. Your article captures beautifully the truth of religion which is – it is all from within, not from the outer….And might I add – I love how you’ve expressed in this article, spoken like the true Rosicrucian that you are!
Indeed Joel we do not have to walk away from Religion but, as you so clearly highlighted, we can return to its original meaning and purpose. I loved reading your points about what religion is. I also love being a forever student of The Way of the Livingness religion.
Thanks Joel for sharing and opening up this discussion, I have always known what religion is and what it is not , it is not something just practised or saved up for church, it is not something that is wielded as a weapon , it is not something that separates humanity from each other , it is not something that is forced onto people, it is not something we can lose, it is not something that someone else can do for you, it is not something we have to try to be.
We are religion when we choose to be the loving truth of who we are.
Religion in its roots has a very different way of being and living than most have come to understand the word to mean. It is like we have been all deeply affected in one way or another by the ingrained doctrines, ideals, mantras and rituals of the religions that we have come to know today that the very simplicity and loving way the word truly symbolises is far for our current awareness as even being associated with what the word truly means.
This dark history sheds so much light on the fact that these institutions/religions were not initiated on the “truths” that everyone thinks. If they had been then everyone would be seen as equal – brotherhood and love at the very core of their teachings, with no separation.
When we come together to celebrate a new religion, a religion in the true sense of the word: something that unites, all forces of separation are called on stage to fight. History’s religions haven’t united humanity, quite the contrary! So the energy behind those religions is easily exposed: separation.
“Religion is not about grand cathedrals and the politics of powerful clergy, but finding ways to honour the sacredness that is inherent within each person, wherever we live or work.” This is beautiful. I read something a politician said the other day about the fact that no matter what race or religion or country we are from we are all the same with our eyes shut. I would add that when we look into deeply into another’s eyes with a willingness and openness we get to see and feel tangibly that sacredness that is inherent within each person, yes we are all the same within.
I was so confused as a child and as a grown adult (until Serge Benhayon and Universal Medicine came into my life) about Religion especially in the way that I was brought up to understand what religion meant. It felt false and uncertain and not particularly something I wished to follow or be a part of. I felt it was by invitation only and that strict guidelines had to be upheld. So in reading this awesome sharing from Joel this morning it really confirms what I feel about ‘Religion’ now. This sentence really caught my attention “Religion is not about rigid guidelines that control and separate us but about giving us a framework for becoming a ‘forever student of life’. Yes, The Way of the Livingness.
I have clicked on the ‘Like’ button at the end of the blog Joel, but it should really be a ‘Love’ button, for I do. I want to stick this on my fridge, on my front door, on a bumper sticker and scream it from the rooftops as what you write is ‘it’. It cannot be argued with or misinterpreted because it is the truth. This is what religion is and what religion isn’t and I love it. Thank you.
Religion for me is my relationship with God. And as any relationship this must be cared for, honored and celebrated to stay vital and alive. God is nothing outside of me but a part of me. Yes we are “not just humans, but spirits and souls learning how to reconnect to what we have pushed away for many, many lifetimes… our own innate and ever present divinity” – For me, no conventional Religions have today the tools on offer to support me here in truth. The Way of the Livingness has very much sustained my reconnection to God and what I truly am. This is what I call my true Religion.
“Religion is not about rigid guidelines that control and separate us but about giving us a framework for becoming a forever student of life.”- I grew up believing that if I didn’t follow the strict rules of the church I would go to hell, not heaven. This caused anxiety and fear of God. It also caused me to judge others if they followed a different religion. So yes it caused me to feel more separation from brotherhood.
I also grew up in one of those religions lorettarapp, so many rule to follow and such a stress to get it right and be seen to be getting it right. How can that be promoting brotherhood?
This is interesting to feel the pressure of rules in religion as you describe Loretta and Joel.
I grew up in a house that ticked the most basic box when it came to a addressing religion. But there wasn’t any core purpose or commitment to life other than the function of day to day living, to enjoy what leisure time was available. Still all separation from brotherhood and humanity.
‘Religion is not about waiting for a saviour but about each person taking maximum responsibility for saving themselves’. When we choose to realise we each have the keys to living a life of love and harmony, equally so, we can no longer externalise our search for ‘quick-fixes’ or someone to absolve us of our sins. We make our choices, and we have the power to change them. God is forever there offering us this opportunity, to make choices that are in connection to ourselves, our whole bodies, and all of humanity.
When Joel talks about religion in these terms of everyday life, it becomes something that I can immediately relate to just as the imperfect person that I am.
I love what you share, Joel.
The established religions do not own the word ‘religion’, only their interpretation of it, which is always for a select few. True religion is for everyone equally.
“Could it be the harm that established religions have endorsed and perpetrated over centuries?” This is such a powerful question Joel. It’s very clear that the institutionalized religions have created such a fear base foot hold in the minds of millions of people that they subject themselves and families to abuse ‘under the name of God’. This is the most heinous of crimes. When real truth is offered there is ingrained fear and panic activated because then people would have to be responsible for the past choices they have made.
“It is the heart of the person and how they choose to live”. This is the key to true religion. The Way of the Livingness is the only religion that teaches this, how to live in a way where we take self responsibility for the choices that we make, knowing that we are each part of the whole, so when we make a decision for ourselves we are making it for the all.
Thank you Joel for such clarity and simplicity of delivering what true religion is, it is the connection to the divinity and love in my body and everything around me.
This speaks directly to my heart Joel,
It is time to let this flower grow, for within we carry the knowing and the way of this new religion….. The Way Of The Livingness.
Why is it that people are so resistant to religion? It brings up a lot of mistrust and issues for people, remembering persecution, wars and disagreements that all stem from what people consider to be religion, and the fact that many have been left feeling unfulfilled in their pursuit of something more to their life. Having come to the Way of the Livingness, I have found that for me, religion is not a indoctrination, but simply a way of life – not something to disagree over or start wars for, and certainly not something to be prosecuted for. It is a choice to live a life, to the best of my ability, with a connection to myself and to God.
I like how simple your approach to religion is… having a religion that is about your way of life and the loving choice you make.
You have summed it up beautifully here Joel. Religion is simply living a loving life. How that has become a mecca for reinterpretation shows just how powerful it really is.
Your last sentence Rebecca so beautifully sums up how truly simple religion is. ‘It is a choice to live a life, to the best of my ability, with a connection to myself and to God.’
So well said Martin. Religion is what it is. The word has been stolen, misinterpreted, reinterpreted, shamelessly misused and managed in ways so far from he simplicity of what it is. But it is always actually just what it is – and it will always be there.
With Love,
Simon.
Well said Martin, there is in truth no ‘New’ religion, but a resurfacing of that which is true and unifying for all.
Beautiful Harry, how amazing it is; nothing new about “The Way of the Livingness”, it’s what we have left behind a long time ago, taking a few detours and diversions into ideologies and doctrines, instead of the simple truth that can be easily felt and was always there for us.
Your description of a true religion is so apt, I agree with every word!
I do too Harry and I actually celebrated every word that was written. As I scrolled down the page I was continuously surprised and amazed at how much truth was being shared. I absolutely love the power of your expression Joel and find your writing truly healing so all that come across its paragraphs.
We say very much more about ourselves than we know with our reactions, aggression and vitriol. Yes indeed we speak very loud and clear about the fear and lack of trust that blights our lives.
I love your dot points about what true religion is Joel, I can certainly align to that.
Great point Martin, the reinterpretation of any truth has been happening for centuries, and another great point, there has been deliberate reinterpretation and downright lies told to persuade people in one way or another for centuries. It is up to us to feel the truth now for ourselves, as you say, it lives in all our hearts.
‘Could it be that we have mistaken religion for a set of ideologies, canons and doctrines rather than a way of living that connects us to and confirms what we feel within?’ Quite possibly so Joel.
Joel I am so drawn to what you have shared religion now is for you – honesty, equality, self love, responsibility, and returning to the glory we already are. How different would the world be if this were the principals for every religion? How different would people be in their relationships if they honoured their body, and other people’s? This is just amazing and is a breath of fresh air for me to read and know deeply that this is true religion.
I feel religion is found in, the ‘living’ not in the ‘doing’ and so “Religion is about the way we live in respect of and in connection to our own innate divinity.” This is my experience and one that I am developing, it does not need to be endorsed or confirmed by anyone or any organisation. I can feel the quality of it, of this ‘innate divinity’ and it is what I return to and trust in. It has no words, it is felt, I am learning to express it through words and movement, but it for me it is the stillness and the expansiveness that dwells there that I connect with, this is religion.
As Always Joel, you bring come sense, integrity and great wisdom in a manner that is so beautifully approachable and accessible to all humanity.
I agree. The truth of God and life in all its simplicity and equal grandness. Thank you Joel.
What he said haha, but seriously simplesimon888 you nail it with your description of Joel, I am a huge fan of this blog and all his others, I feel like a geek sometimes when I want to endlessly talk about Joel’s writing style, it is truly very assessable.
Sarah I feel exactly the same way. Deep wisdom expressed so simply, a pleasure to read and feel.
Yes hartanne60, I think if a reader feels like you are having an intimate conversation with them and then all the other hundreds of readers also feel the same then you are nailing it as a writer. If on top of that you happen to be an amazing philosopher and are profoundly good and expressing your observations of life, death and everything in-between and beyond the stars than you are dubbed as a “Joel Levin’ as far as I am concerned. I feel the same about Liane Mandalis, she has not written many blogs but her writing is truly powerful, you see it through her commenting.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on religion Joel, I am in accord with all of them. Having never thought of myself as particularly religious, I have found it deeply relaxing, confirming and celebratory to return to my true religious nature by claiming the Way of the Livingness to be my way. It just makes sense and resonates deeply within.
I am with you on this Josephine, a 100%! The Way of the Livingness totally resonates and feels like the way we will return to, and I am.
michelle819, I love those moments when some belief which has dominated my life, sometimes without my knowing, comes to the fore and I’m able to see how preposterous it is and let it go so that it no longer encumbers my relationships with God, myself and others.
Yes those beautiful aha moments are life changing. I feel very blessed to have a number myself. It always surprises me when I have them because up until that moment I had no idea how much of what I had been carrying in my body was capping me and making me feel so dull and heavy. The moment it lifts from the body is a miracle as you immediately feel clear and light. You also get to feel there is more room left for self appreciation and love, and therefore more appreciation and love for others.
Joel you are the living example of what is truly means to be religious, living and sharing from the divinity within you.
What you write lead me to ponder on the idea if we had a government in power that allowed the abuse of children in power, the public would be demanding a new government, why is this not the case with religion? In fact the complete opposite is true we keep defending the religions that are littered with abuse, and ridicule any form of new religion that tries to find its place.
That’s an amazing point tonisteenson, why are we allowing corruption in religion? How can we accept an institution of power to abuse children when we would demand a change of government if they did the same thing? If a religion is not living to the principles it is supposed to represent, should they not also be stripped of the title “religion”? If a religion preaches strict codes of moral behaviour but does not live those themselves, who are followers aligning to? If the priests themselves cannot live to the true principles brought to humanity by Jesus, and they collude to conceal the crimes against children, and there is no one to hold them accountable, including each other or themselves, and they supposedly answer to God, then what does this say about their relationship to God?
Great observation tonisteenson, there is something ‘untouchable’ about religon that allow all manner of abuse.
Great point tonisteenson. We would not tolerate it for one second. So what is going on here?
Great point tonisteenson, ridicule this new religion, that actually offers total integrity and accountability and truth, without all the self-serving interests or any ‘do-gooding’. Well I don’t ridicule it, I totally embrace “The Way of the Livingness”, as every part of me knows that this is the true way forward for us as a humanity.
Yes, this is a great question to ask. And though we think that state and religion have been separated a long time ago, this is not true. The institutionalised religions are deeply interwoven into society and play a big role in our social and health systems.
Great point Esther, we have interwoven religion in a way that it has become something that you really cannot criticise. It has a stance on its own where it has withdrawn itself from law and even common dignity. Many people that are in a religion are great people with great intention. But it is time to look at what the living expression of these religions is as they will not stand the test of true love.
‘Could it be that we have mistaken religion for a set of ideologies, canons and doctrines rather than a way of living that connects us to and confirms what we feel within?’ This might just hit the nail on the head Joel and this is not something we can blame religion for as we have willingly chosen this way as to not be responsible for not listening to what is within and choosing the little will of man over the will of God.
You too have hit the nail on the head Carolien. We have willingly chosen to not be responsible for listening to what we feel within and choosing the little will of man over the will of God. I feel humbled by the grace of learning to live by the will of God.
Great comment Carolien. It is us who have denied the truth in our heart. It goes to show how important it is to have people who are living examples of how to live and stand for truth in every aspect of their lives, making what is felt in our hearts tangible. I feel as humans we also need this fleshy truth to sustain us.
I love your comment hartanne60, especially the part where you say that we need the living examples, as the lived way is the only true inspiration that will support humanity back to their relationship with God from within.
I so love what you say here Carolien, yes we have willingly chosen this way to not be responsible for not listening to what is known and so clear within, and choosing the little will of man over the will of God!
Very true Debra. I don’t know of any religion that unifies all equally like “The Way Of The Livingness.’
‘There is such incongruence in seeing institutions that purport to be able to help us understand an aspect of our lives that is so sacred and special to many, behaving in a way that is so contrary to that sacredness’. In these words you have summed up all the many feelings I had about religion when I only understood religion to be about ‘going to church on a Sunday’. I could feel that what was offered was incongruent with what I was feeling inside and how I related to God, and yet felt unsupported to follow these feelings through to a natural conclusion. Eventually I turned my back on religion and it was only when I began reading the books of Serge Benhayon that I began to feel I was no longer alone – and it was so confirming to feel a beautiful connection with others as I began to attend Universal Medicine workshops and courses.
Thank you Joel. There is great depth of understanding of the human condition in this blog. As ever, your writing strikes a chord within and I can feel my appreciation at having come to the Way of the Livingness in this life. It is religion in the true meaning of the word. Ten years ago you would not catch me saying that I am religious, but today I am proud to say so. This is what true religion is about – evolution.
Thank you Joel and Jinya, I agree, ‘evolution’ “religion” and ‘returning’ or ‘reconnecting’ to who we truly are is what the lived truth of The Way of the Livingness brings, and is what life is all about!
I feel with the word religion comes so much fear precisely because of all the corruption, wrong doings and abuse of the past as you mention, but it has also became a great distraction like everything else designed in life to keep us away from the true meaning of religion; that we are all divine beings with a physical vehicle. And all that we have to do is return to what which we already are, and in doing so fully embracing the religion of self-love, and the love of all others. Love your list….. Heartfelt thank you Joel for this awesome blog on the true meaning of religion.
I agree jacqmcfadden04 and when we return to our innermost we can feel that love equally in all others.
I love your point here about the good things that we feel with religion actually having nothing to do with the religion itself but the people within them… and it comes from their heart and the love that they share. I grew up feeling a connection to Jesus – however not to the Christian Church. I could feel jesus when I was with myself and in nature, but could not feel him anywhere around when I went to Sunday school or Church… and so I abandoned my connection to Jesus. I was deeply touched to recently reconnect with Jesus through Serge Benhayon who is a true living Christian meaning that he lives the soul’s light here on earth – and not ideals and dogma which form Christianity and do not carry the love and light of the soul.. I feel as though I have re-connected with a dear friend who holds the wisdom of the Universe in his essence and as such supports me to feel that so do I.. This is true religion – to re-connect to that which is already within.. all the great teachers of our past have done this – not through dogma or special titles, but through their living way..
Thank you, Sarah. Beautifully expressed and I could say ditto to every word.
Great to read what you have written here Sarah, I relate very much to what you say about your connection to Jesus – as I had this too as a child. Also how you reconnected to Jesus through Serge Benhayon, who you describe as a true living Christian. I also recognised Serge Benhayon as embodying the true energy of Christianity, the ‘light and love of the soul’ although to that point I would not have consciously known what that meant, yet all along I obviously did know, it was just buried within me. Confirming what you say that true religion is the way of connecting to what is already inside us. Thank you.
Yeah me too Sarah. Everyone can feel and access the person that Jesus was. We know and love the equality, brotherhood, his warm and understanding for every single person. This is something we all have inside us deep down. We know it, we long for it to be the way of the world. It is so simply there inside us. Not found in a set of rules or ideals to follow. That is the great miss interpretation of Religion.
So true Sarah. Religion is not made via dogma or special titles, but through a living way. It’s so simple.
Beautifully expressed Sarah, I agree entirely. I would also add the current Dalai Lama to this list, I feel inspired by his loving presence but have never been drawn to Buddhism. It is the quality of love the emanates from Serge Benhayon that inspires, and like Jesus did so long ago, he keeps reminding us that God lives insides us all, and that we are each responsible for living and nurturing that divinity that resides within.
I agree hartanne60, it is the quality of love that emanates from Serge Benhayon that inspires, as the master Jesus did, and it is through this living way that we will return to the truth of who we are.
Great expansion sarahflenley, it is true that there is a large gulf between many terms we use and how they can be truly lived.
Yes I noticed that in myself the other day. It is a large gulf for sure.
‘She may not even hold an issue with Religion but in fact hold truth very dear to her’ – hence the reaction to the word ‘religion’ and what that word currently represents. sarahraynebaldwin, that’s genius.
Thank you Fumiyo Egashira, I think it is important when we talk to people about religion that we do not defend, justice or convince and in be open, often you will totally relate to peoples experience as they are usually reacting to the lie and why wouldn’t you, I know I did.
Wow. Golnaz. Indeed, we are being given another chance – with a ‘new’ religion that is age-old.
‘It brings home to me how needed it is that we start living what we speak. ‘
I totally agree, sarahflenley ….. unless we walk the talk, there is no truth in what we share, and the insincerity will be felt.
Me too, Marika. It is so incredibly beautiful and humbling to feel the unwavering strength of Gods love for us all, always. To be held in that love in spite of all of our choices that may or may not include him … so very inspiring.
Yes Sally, I agree, we all have a heart and our heart expresses our equality with everybody else. This is not found in the living way of the common religions. I found this equality in the way of the livingness, which for me is the path of return back to God.
I agree Sally, with the emphasis being on ‘certain’ for me. We are all equally from God, therefore, no individual is anymore glorious than another.
Very interesting point you raise, Doug. I feel there is a lot of truth in what you suggest here. Energetically there will be a magnetic pull, which people will feel, whether they are aware of it or not, they have a choice to allow themselves to explore this ‘new religion’ further, or to put the brakes on and resist. Choosing the latter may well come from the ‘knowingness’ that to engage further will disrupt the comfort they have become very used to. We already know that we can smell danger before it happens, we are a LOT smarter than we give ourselves credit for, this may well fall into the ‘danger’ category for some, who aren’t ready to feel the light.
A great article Joel ,
The world is definitely ready for a new religion and one that stands for truth and personal empowerment . A religion that allows for each one of us to claim our truth as true sons of god rather than contracted sons trying to make sense of dogma and ideologies that don’t energetically hold truth .The Way of the Livingness is the religion that will eventuatly unite and liberate all of man kind I feel .
I’ve always said that Heather, that if it wasn’t for family influence would the children in the family have chosen the religion their parents belong to. It seems a dead giveaway that they are blindly accepting what their parents have chosen to follow and not discerned for themselves if this was true for them or not. Many are starting to claim that truth back and many all over the world are questioning the church and its actions. Time will reveal all and time will see one religion left standing…’The Way Of The Livingness’.
I’m down with being crazy then. This religion is the only one that has ever made sense to me and also felt 100% true in my body. And as we know, the body is the marker of all truth. Boom! Truth. So good to be around.
I feel to reprint the following sentence as I love the truth it expresses so beautifully. “Religion is simply about building a way of living that confirms we are all equal and returning to the fact that we are not just humans, but spirits and souls learning how to reconnect to what we have pushed away for many, many lifetimes… our own innate and ever present divinity.” Thanks Joel for another fantastic blog.
‘reconnect to what we have pushed away for many, many lifetimes… our own innate and ever present divinity.’ it begs the pertinent question of Why would we do such a thing?
hear hear Rosemary, this blog is fantastic and a great confirmation of what I have chosen and will continue to choose in my life: “The Way of the Livingness”.
Thanks Joel for making clear the true meaning of religion, it belongs to no one set or group of people, but is a true way of living in which you choose to connect to the sacredness within, which resides in each and everyone of us,and is equally available to all.
Thank you for pointing this out Rosemary, it just made me aware that the so called world religions try to own religion, and own it for themselves, in other words they are basically taking ownership over God. This in itself does not make sense at all, how can we own something that we all come from and are all part of.
For 3 decades I had zero association with any church or religion and it was very bizarre to me because I had no idea why. A religion or religious persons had never hurt me, nor had I read anything to agree or disagree with on the literature that was around. I always believed in a higher being but accepted I didn’t know or have the answers and felt the truth wasn’t out in the world for me to say ‘that’s it, that’s truth’. Through the presentations by Serge Benhayon I can now feel that not wanting to be associated with any of the main religions was because of past lives and the persecution that was inflicted by Religion. So this life I had stayed well clear of any religion. The word used to repulse me and I let go of trying to figure out why because I never could work it out. I feel so much joy that I can now truly feel that I am a religious person and know that ‘The Way of The Livingness’ is the real deal, the one unified truth I had longed to be magnetically pulled to. To be in the presence of the one true religion and a one unified truth is simply brilliant and I am grateful for this each and every day.
Awesome Tracy, I share this gratitude, “The Way of The Livingness’ is the real deal, the one unified truth I had longed to be magnetically pulled to.To be in the presence of the one true religion and a one unified truth is simply brilliant and I am grateful for this each and every day”.
To bring the possibility of another way of knowing religion and smashing through the outdated views in which it has been seen is enormous for everyone and I for one am super inspired and appreciative to have read this, cementing more the truth that I understand religion and my way of living to be.
This is a grand and powerful statement as it cuts through all the beliefs that ones title, whatever that may be, makes them who they are; but leaving out the crucial factor that it is who we are and the quality we are choosing to live that clearly shows if we are living in a way that is deeply religious with ourselves and others or clearly not.
“We also find amazing, lovely, deeply caring people who live outside religion and in other religions, so the common factor is not in the religion, it is the heart of the person and how they choose to live”. The Way of the Livingness title may be new but this religion is not new, it has been around for aeons. This is the only religion I am aware of that is based on true love, equality and is always there for us to re-connect to if we choose to, as it resides equally within us all. Those great world teachers like Buddha, Jesus, Mohammed, demonstrated to us by the way they lived their lives, the Way of the Livingness. Thank God for Serge Benhayon and Universal Medicine presenting those same qualities and way of living for us to be inspired by today. The Way of the Livingness is most definitely my choice.
So true Deidre, the title may seem new but this religion has been around for aeons and is the one true religion and the one that will stand the test of time.
Indeed Deirdre, the good in people is there innately and has nothing to do with one religion being better than another. The sooner we are able to see the illusion that we are different and accept that we are in fact all the same, the better for our move towards a more harmonious way of living.
I totally agree with you deidremedbury, The Way of the Livingness is most definitely my choice also.
It is very revealing Doug. The attack really does give away the insecurity that people feel. Could it be the falsehood in their lives they are not quite ready to feel as yet? Surely if people felt assured and confident in their religion and its expression they would not be provoked into aggression – especially those believers in the other major world religion, atheism.
As a young child I felt very religious, connected to God, connected to nature and could feel what the little bits of truth that were written in the bible. The funny thing was that I never felt the same connection in any church. I explored all the major religions as a teenager and still felt no true connection or love. I’m with you Joel, the only religion that has ever felt right and consistently made sense to me is The Way of The Livingness. It is the only religion that begins by reminding me that I am already divine, already enough and already loved by God. It is also the only religion that asks me to be fully responsible for every last detail of the way I live and express. This is The Way of The Livingness, my old, new religion.
Love it Rob, my old, new religion. So true.
My old, new religion — love it Rob.
Thank you Joel, Rob and Tracy, I agree, old and new it is all the same when we connect to who we truly are.
I totally agree Rob, I too explored religions as a youngster and didn’t find the truth I was looking for. The Way of the Livingness does make complete sense and in it I’ve found the
re-connection I was seeking, this is what religion truly means.
Yeah, Rob! “It is also the only religion that asks me to be fully responsible for every last detail of the way I live and express.” Yet, the true beauty in this responsibility is that it is not the weighty burden which we are so often told is ‘true responsibility’ it is the joyful expansion of what we already are, and just expressing from that which is actually already there!
Same here Rob. All of the above – from feeling a natural connection to God and the greater all – to finding nothing in any organised ‘religion’ that could match the sense of depth and connection. Until The Way of the Livingness showed me it is all here in me – just like as a child – I know heaven.
“Until The Way of the Livingness showed me it is all here in me – just like as a child – I know heaven.” …how sweet this is…
Great comment Rob, it really says it all, I was also interested in Jesus and God as a child, I was not raised religious in any way but was convinced there was something more.To have The Way of the Livingness deliver in such a faultless way, tied my whole life in, things made complete sense after that. Thanks Rob, its my New Old region too!!
How true Martin. We felt it as a child, we went searching as a teenager, but found many paths into faraway lands. This most definitely is it, the Way of the Livingness restores our connection to the sacredness within, with utmost acceptance and an ever unfolding learning from our own experiences of life. This is the real deal.
Rob I love how you have summed it up – the Way of the Livingness, my old, new religion. That’s exactly how I feel.
Hi Rob, The Way of the Livingness is most definitely my old new religion also!
“The Way of The Livingness. It is the only religion that begins by reminding me that I am already divine, already enough and already loved by God. It is also the only religion that asks me to be fully responsible for every last detail of the way I live and express”
Spot on, Rob.
I love that the Way of the Livingness asks me to be fully responsible for every last detail of the way I live and express. I am definitely not perfect but I am growing in my commitment to absolute integrity and love.
Beautiful Rob. I too never felt the same connection when I went to chapel as I did when I was out in nature and then when I was introduced to Serge Benhayon and The Way of the Livingness I knew this was truth and although I felt the connection immediately it took me longer to begin to put it into practice in my daily living. Taking responsibility for all of my choices is sometimes challenging but it is the only way for true harmony to be restored.
Yes, like you Caroline I felt more at one with nature and all that nature offered me by way of reflections of the true magnitude and wonder of the universe, and in this way felt more connected to God. The Way of the Livingness is forever offering me a deeper and more evolving understanding and connection to the manifestation of all that God is.
The Way of the Livingness is indeed the only religion that I have ever come across that confirms who I am, a son of God and that I don’t have to try and be or do anything for God’s love but to accept me as this in full.
I love what you share in this comment Rob about The Way of The Livingness, It makes sense to me too, ‘It is the only religion that begins by reminding me that I am already divine, already enough and already loved by God. It is also the only religion that asks me to be fully responsible for every last detail of the way I live and express.’
That is a very good question Heather. I would say that even if we have inherited a religion from family or culture we have to be true to ourselves, and see from our own lived experience if the religion is true or not. many people feel in their hearts their religion has parts that they are ashamed of but other parts they like, and not ready to let go of.
I wonder how open people could be if they could feel the truth of what you share Joel: “Religion is not about showing us what we need to become but should be confirming of the glory that we already are.” This is a beautiful invitation and one I graciously accept. If this is called religion I’m all for this being the understanding of what humanity shares for all equally.
So true Sandra. I love that ‘The Way Of The Livingness’ confirms the glory and divinity that we already are. It is simply beautiful to remind oneself of this on a regular basis.
That simple statement completely flies in the face of what we have been told is the way to have a relationship with God. As so beautifully put by Joel, we are forever told by dogmatic religions that we must achieve an ideal state, determined by a selected few, in order to be deemed worthy of knowing God.
As opposed to being presented with the fact that we are already that gloriousness. We are already the Sons of God, and it is a matter of accepting what already is, not becoming something else.
Yes Naren, I am often reminded of how God loves me whatever I do. Feeling even a tiny bit of how much we are held in love brings me to tears and a connection to how deeply tender we all are.
So very true, Karin. There is an immensity in the tiniest drop of that connection, because we know that that is where we come from and what we truly are.
That part was so beautiful to read again Sandra, thank you for highlighting. Reclaiming and recognising what we already are. Not what we have to ‘get to’.
It is beautiful to be reminded that we are enough just the way we are.
Thank you Joel for another great blog showing the falseness of what is accepted as religion, and the truth of what true religion really means, beautifully summed up in these words” Religion is simply about building a way of living that confirms we are all equal and returning to the fact that we are not just humans, but spirits and souls learning how to reconnect to what we have pushed away for many, many lifetimes… our own innate and ever present divinity.”
The Glory that comes through Joel is equal to the glorious-ness he is.
I had such a problem with the word religion that I never would have considered myself religious. Yet I am deeply religious and live a very religious way of life.
So did I Nikki and in a way I still do, I am slowly breaking out of what I use to think religion was, to what I know it to be now but it’s defiantly a process.
You are so right Joel; people are extremely suspicious of a new religion. Lets face it, current established religions have not done themselves many favors by promoting separatism, allowing and covering up the sexual abuse of children, wars, greed, power over others and other things you mentioned could be the reasons for dwindling congregations. There does not seem to be vitality, or a lived wisdom that one can feel is tangible and applicable in their lives.
I feel it is true “So maybe we don’t need to walk away from a religious way of being but rather return to the original meaning and purpose of religion.” The Way Of The Livingness is a true religion that makes sense to me, to live in a way that confirms we are equal, and deepens our connection with ourselves, and our god.
Totally agree Bernie. Too many have been burnt by religion or so put off by the so called religious ways of many people but like Joel says: “So maybe we don’t need to walk away from a religious way of being but rather return to the original meaning and purpose of religion” Anyone who takes the time to study The Way Of The Livingness will discover it is indeed a true religion. I certainly did.
We’ve made it about the religion and not the person. “Being a good Christian” has certain connotations and it is as thought they are good because Christianity has taught them so. It is hugely disempowering.
This is hysterical Alison. Being allowed to attend the popular school was so obviously used as a bribe by the church to gather people at the church service, and the reflection they got was clearly that people were only interested in ticking the boxes to attend the school and then run off! And instead of reflecting that what is on offer may not be what people are wanting, it was decided to keep tightening the control and try to ‘make’ the people bend to their will. Dangling a carrot to force people into what they are not interested in? That sure does not feel like God’s way.
The simplicity of what you write here, it is what I have come to understand and what I now embrace, it is simply my choice to be aware or not.
Of course there is a huge mistrust when a new religion is being founded as, as is highlighted in this blog, there are very few if any true examples in our past and present of a religion that is true. But not only that, those reinterpretations of divine messages that we have come to call religion have made us belief that only someone special, someone that is not like us and the only heaven sent one, can bring us the truth of religion. This is a consciousness that needs to be broken and a true religion will show the way back to God is through our own hearts.
Agree Rebecca. The Way of the Livingness is not only the most natural form of religion it is also one of the oldest, founded as it is in the Teachings of the Ageless Wisdom.
I am definitely guilty of being very wearing if someone mentions a new religion. I tend to think they must be crazy. Until recently I associated the word religion with something rather ghastly. Yet I am rediscovering true religion and the way you describe it Joel is so spot on. Your bullet points offer a very good summary.
Interesting point Michael that religion has lost its connection to its essence just as we have. The Way of the Livingness supports us to ‘return to the original meaning and purpose of religion’ and reconnect to our essence.
‘I have come to understand true religion to be a lived way and not anything to do with words people use. It’s our connection to who we are inside, the rhythms and rituals that are born from that connection not only support us totally but naturally work in with all things around us.’ I love this sarahraynebaldwin – harmony in action.
Thank you Helen Elliott, I am getting better at speaking about Religion and reclaiming the true harmony that it does represent, rather than just be in reaction to the way that it has been misrepresented.
‘Could it be that we have mistaken religion for a set of ideologies, canons and doctrines rather than a way of living that connects us to and confirms what we feel within?’ Spot on Joel, I have always struggled with the way conventional religion was presented because it made no sense to me but I still felt that something was missing in my life. The Way of the Livingness has supported me to build a loving connection with my divinity and take responsibility for my choices past and present.
As a children we are very aware of what is loving an what is not. The trouble is that with so many adults around us all telling us the same loveless stuff it gets very confusing and you start to doubt yourself. As an adult now I am open with my children and have no problems with them telling me if I am being loveless if I am because I can understand the hurt that was caused by the double standards. The hardness or the judgement was one thing, but the lack of honesty about it was an entirely different thing, which probably hurt more.
Yes Doug it makes no sense at all and as I child I had real problems making sense of it. Branding people as sinners is as loveless as you can get I agree. I have been to a few christenings and it is claimed in front of everyone that this child is born of sin and is therefore a sinner… really?! One of the priests I knew was just saying the words and you could tell he didn’t really believe in what he was saying, but it was still there in the service and was still uttered. It all feels very medieval. Not the start I would really like for any child to have to go through.
Excellent points Doug – I agree with you, even the fact that religions educate people in separation by saying that their religion is better than any other, while through all the religions there is an understanding that God has unconditional love for us all. How then can there be separation?
Yes, “It is interesting to consider the panic and mistrust that is generated when people start talking about forming a new religion.” Mind you it’s interesting to consider the mistrust that is generated by religion generally. There has been so much emotional investment and let down through the ages and the question, “which religion is the true religion?” that every religion fiercely defends as their own. Educational theory, medical approach, artistic technique or scientific theory, has not ever been the starting point of war and endless fraction between all people everywhere in the same degree that religion has. Religion comes so loaded that to reveal a new religion must bring up mistrust and turmoil for so many. I love your blog, “The Audacity Of A New Religion” and how you sum up ‘The Way of the Livingness’ “Religion is simply about building a way of living that confirms we are all equal and returning to the fact that we are not just humans, but spirits and souls learning how to reconnect to what we have pushed away for many, many lifetimes… our own innate and ever present divinity. This is a religion that makes sense to me and this is the religion I have come to know as The Way of The Livingness.” Joel this religion makes complete sense to me too and because of it I know I have found my back to me, back to everyone and I am on my way back home.
Yes great point sarahflenley, bring back truth in word… as Serge Benhayon has been teaching for 15 years now. So many words have lost their true meaning in our current use of them, and as a result we shy away from them in their false representation. As you say, religion in just one of those words… albeit a very big one. It will take quite a time to deconstruct the complexity of what has been created throughout the world in the name of (false) religion.
Joel this is a superb examination of the myriad of attitudes, beliefs and dogmas we have taken on around religion that then clouds our ability to recognise what is true religion. Your outline of what is true religion is something no human being would say no to, if not for the falsities that have been so deeply entrenched for millenia.
That’s so true Jenny. I didn’t even have any association with a religion or religious people this life yet from a very young age I was completely repelled by it all. This exposes that the hurt by religions has been going on for thousands of years and lifetimes and hence the reason why so many people are terrified about the word and are sceptical about a new religion (although it is the oldest religion around). There is nothing to fear in the religion of ‘The Way Of The Livingness’, only truth and love. No better place to find oneself.
Beautifully said Tracy…
“Could it be that we have mistaken religion for a set of ideologies, canons and doctrines rather than a way of living that connects us to and confirms what we feel within?” I could never relate to religion for this very reason Joel, I just saw each religion as a set of rules but I felt nothing from them and saw nothing in the people that were preaching them. Religion has been so bastardised that it is hard to know what would be a true one to follow and probably why people change religions as they discover that in each one there is something missing. The Way of the Livingness has no rules no need to be a certain way save that of following our own inner heart. Knowing this has changed my understanding of religion and what it truly means.
‘But what if the amazing, lovely, deeply caring people who are in religions are not amazing, lovely, deeply caring people because of the religion, but because of who they are within themselves?’ Yes Joel , rules and regulations do not make the human being , only Love can do that.
It is a common human experience to be scared of something unknown – this is why it is very empowering for us to experience, feel and discern life for ourselves.
Well said michelle819, this emphasis on ‘sin’ by many churches takes away our own power to be God, and places it in the hands of those who would control us. This may have served in the dark ages to keep the population feeling ‘safe’ under the protection of the church, but not any more. The Way of The Livingness has shown me that my own divinity and connection to God is inviolate, and in it there can be no harm.
Being a loving caring person has nothing to do with religion but all to do with a connection to our soul, our essence, the innermost part of who we actually are. This is why the Way of the Livingness as a religion speaks to me in a way no other religion possibly can, because everything about what it stands for comes from the quality I possess. There is no adherence to any scripture, dogma, or principles of worship, only the innate wonder we all possess and are all able to equally live. Thank you Joel for your loving analysis of the way religion is, saving ourselves is the only way we can be saved, anything else is not real and quite harming.
Absolutely Lucy, a gorgeous revelation of truth.
‘Religion is not about showing us what we need to become but should be confirming of the glory that we already are’. How opposite to the way I have been raised, with doing good to become good and whatever we did it was never enough.
That teaching of never feeling enough has plagued billions of people. How very sad that there is another way yet we sell ourselves short for a teaching that never realises we are already divine.
These lines stood out for me today – “But what if the great world teachers like Mohammed, Buddha, Jesus etc were right, and how we then interpret and live their messages is where the problem lies?” There have been so many bastardisations of truth – including the real definition of the word religion – that when people are exposed to the TRUTH they get exposed, so justify and defend what they have accepted and know so far. Exploring other religions and spirituality, as I did, It was only when I came to Universal Medicine and the Way of the Livingness that I and my body knew and felt – this is it – the religion I have been seeking. I came home.
I agree Sue. I guess there have been many pretenders in recent centuries and many spiritual gurus to confuse people with much bastardisation of truth that society is sceptical that the Way of the Livingness is any different. The world teachers were all brilliant, the way it was reinterpreted to man by man that makes them very different. The new religion, the Way of the Livingness’ is here to stay and remain in Truth, it’s up to us all to discern in ourselves where Truth lies.
I agree Zofia and on a practical level this is quite simple really. Working together, respecting each other as well as ourselves in every way. Working on our relationships with each other and of course ourselves. Being loving in the way we express whether that be firm or not. It really is the simple things that make up the way of the livingness and these parts are important when living together in a house or a society.
Wellcome back!
To form a new Religion is quite bold. The traditional Religions have a strong impact on the world and everyone (if joined or not), new age trends become solutions for some and for others this is nonsense….to offer something new here is path-breaking and as others said here history shows us that those pioneering people often get not so good credits ‘in their time’ – but what shall we do? A new way is calling, ‘The Way of the Livingness’ is here to start and everyone who hear that call has a choice. The choice to go deeper in denying or to choose to awake again. … I say: Good Morning everyone!
This is a great point Sandra. There are already so many religions in the world, some having huge impacts on the way millions of people think, act and live…. Starting a ‘new’ religion would be very bold indeed, but what’s so different about the Way of the Livingness is that it is in no way a new religion. It is ancient, and in fact more age old than many of the religions we see as having very long lineages, such as Islam. The Way of the Livingness has been reignited, and is a gorgeous religion that is so special because it UNITES rather than separates, as many others religions do.
True Susie. The Way of the Livingness is an re-igniting of an ancient Religion.
I love how you write a new way is calling. It most definitely is and that new way is here to stay.
I have known people that have clung to their religion a like a person with a life vest on a sinking ship. You are so right Joel that time has put religion in everything other than inside of all of us! When did we loose the list you have presented of what original meaning and purpose of religion has always meant to be? It is time to look inside us and re-discover and live the truth of religion.
Yes sjmatsonuk so very true, there is a desperation for some to hold onto what is so clearly not working despite being completely devoid of any warmth or inclusiveness. It is a sad indictment of the state of our humanity that we have so lost our way that it is these loveless and deeply harming practices that become a lifeline for so many.
Yes Joel, we are willing to give up. But just because of our choices which brought us here. This does not make sense! I can say for myself that I had have given up. But I did hope to get rescued some day from someone. But now, with the support of Universal Medicine, I realized that I am that one – the only one who can brighten up my life again is me. To claim that back is vital and powerful. And I love it! ‘Way of the Livingness’ – you are mine!
In reality, we are not bringing anything new – there is no ‘new’ religion when we look at the fact that the Way of the Livingness is based on the Ageless Wisdom – which is clearly ageless – we have been here many times before.
It is time to re-connect with the Ageless Wisdom we innately know is within each and every one of us.
Very true Paula. Instead of the Way of the Livingness being called a “new” religion it is perhaps more apt to call it an “original” religion.
This is such a good point Abby. And I concur with it entirely and feel that a vast majority of those that align to any religion are looking for exactly that – brotherhood and unity.
And in that reaction of all religions, they are then shutting the door on true religion. This is the unquantifiable but immense damage that the world’s religions are doing. There are the wars, the separation, the child abuse, the fanaticism etc…but there is also the devastating fact that people are slamming the door in the face of all religion, locking themselves away from the possibility of seeing the truth.
Gosh michelle819, that feels like an enormous imposition to have to endure, to be told that we are not only less than God, but born a sinner too, its a bit of a no hoper! What chance do we stand when that is the foundation of a religion? The Way of the Livingness uplifts, honours and celebrates the glorious people we are, our connection to God and our inherent equality with Divinity, because we are made by God so how can we be anything less. I feel what we fear the most when we meet a new religion is that we are going to end up doing the same thing to it that we have done for eons, which is bastardise the teachings so that it can be twisted into an instrument to wield over others. The Way of the Livingness however it not an institution and has no doctrine, it arises from individuals addressing the way they live and building their connection to their own divinity in their everyday normal life. There is no ruling council or priests, just individual people all over the world living their ordinary life in the most un-ordinary Way.
I can remember being at a christening where the priest was talking about children being born from original sin, or words to that effect. I was so incensed and found it very hard to sit and listen to what he was saying as I disagreed so strongly with every bone in my body. It also seemed to me to be such a weird choice of sermon for a christening.
The word Religion evokes feelings of mistrust and negativity in so many people. Because of this it can be hard to reclaim and use the term and its true meaning without feeling sensitive to the way it has been used in the past.
You Joel are cutting through all of this and bringing the truth.
True Religion is every single persons Divine right and the Way of the Livingness is this Religion. 🙂 🙂 🙂
In the past I was attracted to a particular religion through feeling the loveliness of two practicing people within that religion. I assumed it was the religion that helped them to be so lovely and assumed the religion couldn’t be so far off because they wouldn’t have been espousing the tenets of it else. In retrospect I feel it was their connection to themselves and expressing this connection with all they met that was what I felt was true. But that they nor I considered this and attributed all their connection to religious doctrine and practice. Now I feel religion is the personal relationship I have God that we all can nurture.
The Way of The Livingness – is the developing way of equal truth lived personally, wholly and completely without perfection. This for me is total religion, and total love.
BRILLIANT Joel. What I especially loved about this is how you’ve highlighted how true religion is nothing to do with a label like being catholic, protestant, muslim, jewish etc etc but in fact solely the person themselves that is the actual religion. Because religion is connection to self, to all, to the heavens and also God. Your words here holding us true: “After all, we also find amazing, lovely, deeply caring people who live outside of religion and in other religions, so the common factor is not the religion, it is the heart of the person and how they choose to live”.
I met a woman on a course last week. We were looking at behavioural issues that present in people with Learning Disabilities and she had a very deep understanding that was in my experience unusual. When I spoke to her about it she just said very simply ‘I just love people’ which to me was the heart of the matter entirely and ‘true religion’ being lived every day. No attempts to teach the behaviours that loving people present will ever be able to recreate that which innately arises from a truly loving heart. That connection to self has to come first as you so rightly say Zofia.
The comment that stands out for me in this blog is that it is the hearts of men that counts not what religion they belong to (or not!) This comment instantly unifies us and reminds us we are all One. I have known some people who would not consider them selves religious, but have a strong connection to God, either through nature or through their love of people
True religion unites us all, the word itself based on the Latin religare ‘to bind’. It is a living way in relationship with the divinity we all share….. living in connection to the love we are.
Thank you Joel for putting this great blog together, it is needed and it is a great foundation to bring to every talk, discussion or conversation about the subject of Religion. I have felt very uncomfortable with the word Religion and a need to make my mind about it, I have prefered to leave the whole subject buried.
Because the bastardization of Religions and theory never matching reality, the intellect became a much more respectable thing to pursue and polish, better to leave faith and all those crazy stuff behind. However the intellect has made me very cold and disconnected.
When I found Universal Medicine I would have never called it a Religion, for the fear of categorizing such an amazing teachings as a well known prejudice.
However I have started to feel what this world really means, the true vibration of it is just gorgeous. I have heard amazing people saying: “I am deeply religious” and this has re-ignited my connection, respect and love for this word and all that it entails. I am most joyful to carry on with my way back to true religion and claiming it with all of my being. Super healing! Your blog is super supportive for this matter.
Joel – thank you for highlighting reasons why people react to the word religion, and then clearly describing what religion truly means. For me this rings true- “Religion is simply about building a way of living that confirms we are all equal and returning to the fact that we are not just humans, but spirits and souls learning how to reconnect to what we have pushed away for many, many lifetimes… our own innate and ever present divinity.”
After trying conventional Religion up until I was in my early 20’s I spent the next 30 odd years searching for the truth, until I was introduced to Universal Medicine and Serge Benhayon and The Way of The Livingness. This Religion asks us to be our own saviour and take responsibility for our decisions and to look within for God not outside of ourselves nor giving power to others. Thank you Joel for clearly expressing the truth.
The Way of the Livingness offers that everything we need is within us – we are reconnecting to the love we already are, and very importantly, it is us who make the changes – it is about self responsibility, and “confirms we are all equal and returning to the fact that we are not just humans, but spirits and souls learning how to reconnect to what we have pushed away for many, many lifetimes… our own innate and ever present divinity.” How simple and beautiful is this.
Religion is about truth, all truth, whether scientific truth or truth not yet known by science. Science is not comfortable with the possibility that truth can be accessed without the scientific method and rightly uncomfortable with the potential and actual abuse of this claim.
The only weakness in science’s stance is: What if such a way of accessing truth directly truly exists, in that case where does that leave science?
Beautiful Henrietta – what a summary – based on that description – I’m in, this is the first religion that is actually religious, and agree with Anne “This is spot on, there is no other modern religion that is “as simple as learning to embody the divinity that lies dormant within us”.” The Way of the Livingness is my way.
Fantastic blog Joel, thank you. I love how you strip away all the false actions and ideologies that have been attributed to religion and instead show how very simple it can be in truth.
I feel that if we feel the truth of the word religion inside us and live its way, which is the Way of the Livingness, to the best of our ability, then we can be willing to use the word to others who may have a reaction to it, and to claim it without having to defend or explain. Just by our very example of living a new way of being in life there need be no defense or explanation, it is there to be felt. Serge Benhayon shares that he is religious and even that he is a Christian. He does not feel the need to explain anything, he lives what he knows to be true for himself. Hearing him speak about this made a great difference to me, as i realised I am a Christian in a sense I had never understood before. So next time I am asked if I am, instead of denying it, I will be able to say with truth, “yes, I am.”, and know I will feel empowered.
Superb summary again Joel – and a conversation beggin to be had on the big picture of religions, the apparent ‘good’, the downright ugly, but ultimately the contribution not to unity, to self or all others equally, and bizarelly, not to divinity either. You expose that all religions currently may not be close to the actual teachings of the great masters lives upon which they claim authority. In contrast the stunning bullet pointed list of the purpose of true religion is actually really opening to read. There are no previous religions I know of that for example: “Religion is not about showing us what we need to become but should be confirming of the glory that we already are.” Absolute GOLD.
There are as you say Joel so many not in a religion, or in different religions, who are amazing people…”so the common factor is not the religion, it is the heart of the person and how they choose to live.” This is what makes the significant difference between those who preach one way and live another, and those who choose to walk their talk…our intention, and the energy we choose in what we do, is felt by everyone.
Love is our universal Religion. “Religion is about the way we live in respect of and in connection to our own innate divinity.” Thank you Joel, I love the truth you share.
Religion is a way of living that leads us back to where we come from and long for, therefore it is the divine source that impulses the way to live that brings us back.
The Way of the Livingness IS true religion – a way of living in connection with God, through the light of our Soul. Thank you Joel, another simple yet no holds barred, master-piece.
To know God by having my direct and personal connection and experience and then to recognize that others have exactly the same inner place from where they have that connection as well is proof of our equalness and origin. The Way of the Livingness honours and celebrates that inner divinity without any discrimination and accepts anyone´s choice to either live from that place or not.
Henrietta, you are spot on and expressed it beautifully. Religion is about our connection with each other and holding all as equal.
“But what if the amazing, lovely, deeply caring people who are in religions are not amazing, lovely, deeply caring people because of the religion, but because of who they are within themselves?” This is so true Joel – we feel the quality of someones connection to themselves, and it is that quality they bring to what they do.
I was the same Marika, I never thought I would be religious. How wrong I was. How mislead I was to have a perception of Religion that I had. It was a huge hurtle for me accepting that I was part of a religion, the word Religion needed re-imprinting in my body only to discover that I’m a deeply Religious person.
The truth of God is everywhere and the The Way of Livingness offers a very refreshing complete approach that enables people from all walks of life the opportunity to embody this timeless truth. This is not knowledge reserved for the privilged few as been previously the case with tradional religion, but freely available to everyone equally. Thanks Joel.
Yes, the Way of the Livingness is not about being indoctrinated and forced to be a certain way. It is a living truth that lives within us all, and it’s about simply living this truth we all know in everyday life.
Joel this is beautiful because it brings it back to what true religion is about connection to self, humanity and living in a way that confirms this not through a devotion to another or making ourselves less but through the appreciation and acceptance of the fact that it is through our livingness that we shine and inspire in others to shine also. Thank you for exposing the truth of what true religion is.
It has been set up for many eons that people have mistrust in new religions, all in preparation for the re-arising of the true religion, ‘The Way of the Livingness’. Many of us already seeded with mistrust from past only for it to be fueled by people not living from their inner truth. May we build trust again for true religion and all that you have described Joel, for this is the Religion in it’s true sense and what I have always known.
This is fabulous Joel for calling out the disillusionment and reactions many have around religion, and offers a much needed new perspective and new religion in the true meaning of the word.
The disillusionment created by religion is so detrimental to people having a natural relationship with God. Having listened to adults reflecting on their experiences of religion as kids, most were onto the fact that there were many holes in the current religions. However as we grow, we seem to respond in two ways. We swallow down those doubts in the name of faith and belonging or we turn our backs in disgust. Either way, no one wins as we miss out on the most extraordinary relationship we can have, with ourselves as so much more than human and with God.
Joel, every word of your blog speaks the undeniable truth about the history of of religion – its’ follies and how it falls short in honouring us all as equal Sons of God. A true religion helps us connect to “… our own innate and ever present divinity” and that is what The Way of The Livingness” has offered me, why I know with every particle of my being that it is true.
Joel, I love the way you list the points that for you set out the original meaning and purpose of religion. The final one especially stands out for me “Religion is simply about building a way of living that confirms we are all equal and returning to the fact that we are not just humans, but spirits and souls learning how to reconnect to what we have pushed away for many, many lifetimes… our own innate and ever present divinity.” For me, that means so much. True religion for me has no need for the mediation of another person such as a priest or minister, between me and the divine that I now know is there within me always. It is a matter of me connecting to that beauty that is there within me. This means that the responsibility is on me, not for me to put onto another. I give huge thanks to Serge Benhayon and Universal Medicine for helping me see and feel this wonder that is there within me, which I now live (to the best of my ability at this stage) through The Way of The Livingness.
I agree Beverley that we do not need a person to act as a go between to have a relationship with God. The beautiful things about coming to know the divine within oneself again is that it is so easy and delightful to see it in everyone else.
Thank you Joel for succinctly clarifying the true definition of religion. We have all been hurt by a bastardised version of religion in one form or another, and it so hurts us to feel the truth we have walked away from, so it’s easy to fall for those bastardised or mainstream forms as we can use it as a way not to feel this. My experience of coming back to the truth that always lay within has been profoundly liberating and empowering in ways I could never have imagined. The Way of the Livingness is simply THE Way, the way we all know in our hearts to be true.
“Could it be the harm that established religions have endorsed and perpetrated over centuries?” The part that makes absolutely no sense to me at all is where people have and still do repeatedly turn a blind eye to these harms. Therefore the harms are still being endorsed. These same people will jump up and down and sling mistrust and fear of a ‘new religion’. The Way of the Livingness isn’t a new religion it is the ancient truth of connection to our inner heart, the true place that holds humanity as equal. It’s no wonder the ‘Old religions’ don’t want this, because the harm that has been perpetuated would have to be accounted for.
I have shunned religion too Marika, until finding The Way of The Livingness. It is the only religion that views all people as equals and innately divine, and thus can be universally applicable to all beings. That just makes sense to me.
Brilliant bringer of truth you are Joel another corker! Especially your opening paragraph about the suspicion caused where in other fields it would be looked at and wondered about. Not so in religion. There is so many reasons for this but mainly I feel it is to do with the fact that every human on the planet knows true religion and it does not rest in a ‘religion’ so even those who are in religions know in their hearts that these do not represent true religion. The mistrust runs so deep that it means we miss the real thing when it comes along or misinterpret to suit our own comfort. I have always known god, and spent most of my life hating religion. Today I know God and my relationship to him to be religious.
I have had a long struggle with the concept of religion and it hasn’t completely shifted so thanks Joel for helping me bring more understanding to this topic. The discrepancy between the words and deeds of religions we see around the world today definitely raises the problem of how the original messages have been distorted. Bringing back simplicity regarding the true meaning of religion is hugely needed to help bring back real understanding to the subject. Thank you.
I have been disdainful of religion my whole adult life, and although I embrace everything about the Way of the Livingness I find I still have trouble with the word, and with describing myself as religious. Your article identifies many of the issues which have led to me feeling the way I do, and with re reading and consideration I feel it will help me move beyond them, thanks Joel.
I relate to what you’re sharing here 1timrobinson, I too struggled with a resistance to the truth. But I have found religion to be just normal everyday life and that is why I feel it’s called ‘The Way of the Livingness’. It’s who we are in the world, our relationship to self and that we everything around us. I love the practicality of it all, the realness, it just makes sense and feels right.
This is so chrystal clear written Joel. I love it. It is so true, we’re terrified when only hearing or somebody mentioning the word religion. As you’re writing, it is actually just a word. Which actually has a beautiful meaning – re-ligion, which comes from the Latin word re-ligare, which means to re-bond, to re-connect. Which is actually so obvious. We all agree that we’re learning from our hurts. Why? Because when life is lived ‘through’, we let go of something and experience something new. Which is the re-turn to who we are. The more we do that, the more we get in touch with ourselves, with the innate beauty that we hold inside. Thank you Joel for writing this so very clear. I am too part of The Way of the Livingness. And am still learning that in this ‘new’, ‘age old’ religion there are no rules, no beliefs, no one to follow, no ideals. Wow, so no control. How freeing (and scary;-)).
‘People seem tired of being promised so much by religion only to find that time and time again, the words and the deeds do not match up.’ – this is so true Joel and the mistrust that has developed from the harmful deeds of this separation, past and present, is huge. But when we let go of our hurts, reactions and protection we can come to understand that true religion is not about what we do. But rather about realising and re-connecting to who we are within, which naturally re-builds trust through this intimate and sacred relationship and what unfolds is a way of living together that honors and reflects the joy of this connection to the ever-present Divinity of the Light of our Soul. What a beautiful way to live. This religion also makes absolute sense to me too. And this is a Soulful or religious way of living, The Way of The Livingness, is in fact already being lived and celebrated today, by many.
Thank you Joel for so simply delivering the truth of religion. The Way of the Livingness is a new religion, it is one that I am part of and it is the one that has supported me to remember that God is everywhere including inside of me. I don’t need to go anywhere to find Him, I can access Him anytime through the way I live – in stillness there is God.
And it is interesting Donna that life is lived in so much motion these days – always doing something, going somewhere, focusing on the outside world. There is very little stillness in peoples lives. It is a clever trick to distract us from the stillness and Divinity we all crave and can naturally connect to within us.
Absolutely Paula, whilst we are in the motion, we can not feel God. It is such a trick. The Way of the Livingness shares the energetic truths of how to actually feel and connect with ourselves, connect to stillness and then we no longer need for anyone to tell us about God, we know him to be real, we feel his presence, that our particles are made of his.
I love your final words, Donna, “in stillness there is God”. That is key, it is so simple, isn’t it? God is there within, I can feel that so easily when I allow myself to be truly still.
And I am with you there, as it is the same for all of us and just as we are the same deep within.
A beautiful reflection on religion, Joel! “Could it be that we have mistaken religion for a set of ideologies, canons and doctrines rather than a way of living that connects us to and confirms what we feel within?” That ain’t a question – that’s a fact. And the interpretation of men led to the way the “world religions” are lived and ritualized. That’s why they compete and do in extreme not even accept each other side by side. What kind of “religion” is it that excludes even one of us? If a “religion” is not for the all – it does’t deserve the name. That’s why in conclusion I can name the way of the livingness a true religion.
I love the questions you are asking here Joel. Indeed- we are all our own religion!!! We just need to live it and come back to the original meaning of religion.
It’s that simple Steffi and it is this we are avoiding!
Agreed Steffihenn, religion is not outside who we are, true religion can never be imposed upon us, as it is simply living in connection to who we truly are.
So absolutely true Steffi we are indeed our own religion, it is now just time to claim this in full.
Yep to reflect it back to everyone we meet, unspoken but never unfelt.
The Way of the Livingness is a religion what will truly unite the world as one, and not keep us in separation from each other. It will ultimately bring us all back to who we truly are in our essence. Thank you Joel for another brilliant article, casting the light on what a true religion is, a re-connection to what lies dormant within us all. Something that lies dormant eventually has to sprout and flourish, and the Way of the Livingness, for me, is the only way to come back to something that I already am, one facet of the whole that is God.
I agree, sandrahenden, “The Way of the Livingness is a religion what will truly unite the world as one”. If people would just be willing to re-connect to themselves, then they would feel for themselves the truth of the great divinity that is there within. There are no dogmas, ideals that we have to believe, that would otherwise divide us, the truth would be felt.
Religion played an important part in my younger years and left deep marks. It dictated many of the behaviours that was expected of me. It was inculcated in me that I was to be of service to others and always put others ahead of me. This I did and in the process accumulated a huge amount of resentment and anger that lead to physical and emotional pain. Only by becoming a student of Universal Medicine was I reacquainted with the true meaning of religion.
It is very understandable that people would develop mistrust in religions, based on the incongruent behaviours demonstrated in the more widely accepted religions, BUT this is not what true religion is as Joel very beautifully describes. True religion is living in alignment with the rhythm and pulse of God INSIDE of us. Yes that’s it: INSIDE OF US. No God in the sky on white clouds but a God that each and everyone of us can access and recognise we are the Sons of, if we but stop searching and live from our hearts.
Henrietta, Like what you share, “I too absolutely embrace the religion of the Way of the Livingness because its foundation is about people and connection”. This is spot on, there is no other modern religion that is “as simple as learning to embody the divinity that lies dormant within us”. Thank you Joel for yet another insightful and inspiring blog.
Love it Joel, great piece on what true religion is and can be for humanity. The institutionalization of the religious belief has been the end of true religion and it is time to reclaim what religion truly is. A relationship with ourselves and God and through this with others. The Way of The Livingness brings also religion, philosophy and sciences together, the three pillars of human life that were never meant to be separated.
Hello Henrietta Chang and in this connection you can have it anywhere anytime. No need for special days or marked days of the week. You can have this connection or re connection with yourself and everyone in every moment. Religion is a living way, but not a set of rules, doctrines or codes but a deep connection to yourself that then goes out in everything you do. Pretty simple and pretty powerful. No need for buildings, just a body at this point and you have all the temple you need. I wondered why I have always called my body the temple…..kidding of course. Thank you Henrietta.
Hello Joel Levin and thank you. Great blog on a great topic. This really does lay it all out for us to understanding what appears to be not understandable, “There is such incongruence in seeing institutions that purport to be able to help us understand an aspect of our lives that is so sacred and special to many, behaving in a way that is so contrary to that sacredness.” We are a funny bunch when it comes to Religions and the word alone can bring so much division in people. I see that blogs and comments like this brings us together in Religion, The Way Of The Livingness has my support.
This is so true, Henrietta. I feel that religion is a way of living that connects us back to our selves- our inner hearts or essence and when we are this we naturally connect to those around us in a more loving and equal way. We do not need churches, priests, or grand ideologies for this. We often choose complexity over simplicity . Great blog, Joel.
I too love what you say Anne about SIMPLICITY! This is the key word – there is no need for complexity and there is no need to make our lives rigid and dogmatic and to loose the lightness and delicateness that so naturally is.
The investment people have in the ideologies and doctrines of religions prevent them from seeing that the “…amazing, loving, deeply caring people…” are not this way because of the religion, “..but because of who they are within themselves.”
We get so caught up in who is doing what, what titles we have, what religion we belong to, how we look, what habits we have and so on, forgetting all the while that, as you say, ‘the common factor is not the religion, it is the heart of the person and how they choose to live.’
At first I felt hesitant even to read the article, Joel. And I must say I am very glad that I did. Indeed! I love the way you write- straight to the point and with deep understanding. You always look at the core and see things from the heart angle.
Your definition of religion is uplifting and something I can say YES to.
Thank you, Joel, for inspirational article and for truth.
This is so true Henrietta, I love what you’ve shared and this is why I choose to live and learn The Way of The Livingness because it is about uniting, empowering and loving people in absolute equality and connecting to God in every moment as He is in us all equally and in everything.
Absolutely Chan, the freedom to express as the loving beings that we are, and the understanding that this religion is here to support us with that expression and not to suppress us. It is about a choice to align to what is love and then to live that love in every breath because we know this is actually our natural way to be.
Thank you Joel for this amazing blog. What you’ve exposed is brilliant, so clear and easy to understand. I know I have previously avoided all religions based on the exact reasons you’ve pointed out. To me religion and God is simply love, and I didn’t see this presented in any other religions except for The Way of The Livingness. The points you’ve shared about returning to the original meaning and purpose of religion is exactly what pulls me to choose to live and reconnect to the true meaning of religion, The Way of The Livingness.
‘If someone proposed a new educational theory, medical approach, artistic technique or scientific theory, people rightly expect two things. One, is there a basis for the approach and two, is there some form of ability to have repeatable results in different contexts with different people.’ What you have stated here Joel shines a light on the ridiculousness of the reactions of people learning of a new religion. Makes so much common sense.
You have left us all with another great point to ponder deeply on. It is true, the idea of a ‘new’ religion has left us so deeply scarred but what that word means, which is all based on a reinterpretation anyway, that most no longer trust this as being of any true good at all! Atheism is the ‘new’ religion of the masses these days. The not having of a religion is the new religion because there are still beliefs, even in science. And especially so in science, ‘without’ God! Thank God for Serge Benhayon and The Way of The Livingness, the true, ancient and future way of living.
Joshua, that’s the irony, some of the most staunch and fundamentalist ideas can be found with atheists, (and in modern science), and while any one who considers themselves atheist will happily call out the foibles as they perceive it of those who declare themselves religious and choose to mock and denigrate those same religious belief as somehow being less, when anyone points out their own fundamentalism they are dismissed, called out as almost mad and beyond the pale. Many in the modern world cling to science and it’s supposed absolutes, yet science changes it’s mind all the time (and true science is all about being open to seeing what is there), and scientific fundamentalism is just as bad as any religious fundamentalism we see; actually it’s worse because it’s often expressed as the absolute and it’s based on a lie, as science even with our attempts to coral and pigeon hole it, is always evolving and seeing more. There’s absolutely no difference between a scientific and a religious fundamentalist.
Atheism is just a separative and dogmatic as traditional religion, only instead of beliefs based on an ancient text, they are based on the manipulated findings of modern day science which has a veil of ‘proof’ and ‘fact’ that it can hide behind
Natasha I agree the word religion has been bastardised and as a result it has turned so many people away from religion, I was one of those people. How many people feel the hypocrisy in religion as it’s currently offered and simply write all religions off? So many people hear the word religion and automatically feel repelled and even aggressive due to the devastation and carnage that had been carried out in the name of religion. That’s why it will take a very long time for us all to return to the truth of who we are and in doing so the truth of region.
I so agree Alexis. As clairsentient beings we can feel all the mistruths, all the sexual abuse energy, all the constructs and moulds in the different forms of religions and feel how much people ‘need’ religion to feel safe, secure, and apart of something they otherwise do not feel apart of. Even righting about religion makes me feel funny because of the attachment I have felt people have with their religion. It is like I get a feeling of ‘not crossing’ or ‘talking about’ because it brings up to much angst in people.
Thank you Joel for expressing what true religion is. I was brought up in a Christian school with apparent atheist parents. I didn’t consider myself a Christian at all and was even dismissive and not respectful of christian beliefs and ideals. It has only been since Universal Medicine that I have come to realise how effected I was by religion and how I came to believe very strongly in ideals such as being saved by something above or outside of us. I am so grateful to be able to now look at and gently let go of the beliefs and ideals which I have chosen to shape my life.
Joel I love the bullet points at the end, outlining the original meaning and purpose of religion. I could feel that you really live the points that you detailed which is exactly the purpose of a true religion, the living is the religion. So many religions do not encompass the way that people live and therefore remain as a separate occasional addition to people’s lives, rather than something that is bound up in life itself.
Looking at the world from a different perspective. I love your blogs Joel. It is so true that we ‘find amazing, lovely, deeply caring people who live outside of religion and in other religions, so the common factor is not the religion, it is the heart of the person and how they choose to live.’ Some amazing caring people maybe drawn to a particular religion but it is not the religion that makes them this way it is their choices.
Again I love your writing Joel and agree with much of what has been expressed above. Many of us have lost trust in religions because of the reinterpretations that have been imposed and the lovelessness within the actions that have driven these reinterpretations. I have nearly 30 years experience of the Catholic church and it never sat well with me the many mixed messages and also the actions of those within higher roles within the church. It now makes sense to me that if a person doesn’t live their divinity- the love they truly are then they if they preach these words the words are empty and offer nothing and this is what I have felt however when messages are delivered with a livingness there is inspiration and it offers the opportunity to evolve.
Very wise words Joel ~ ‘the common factor is not the religion, it is the heart of the person and how they choose to live’ And from each and every heart of each and every person, we find we are all the same. This is the only religion we really need. No more blood spilled, no more abuse, no more power and control, no more fear, no more rules, no more…
Gosh Joel this article just melts me.
A religion that is not asking for worship, but a true religion, to live religiously with oneself and with all.
New religion you say, I would have been running for the hills and making all sorts of inappropriate comments rolling my eyes and everything else…Yet here I am smack bang in the middle of it all, feeling like I have never before pretty awesome making sense of the world and all those in it, this would never have been the case before The way of the livingness shone it’s light my way, our way
‘There is such incongruence in seeing institutions that purport to be able to help us understand an aspect of our lives that is so sacred and special to many, behaving in a way that is so contrary to that sacredness.’ This line in itself is a study on our world through the ages. We are, in the inner heart connected with the All, and it is this and only this that truly shapes and guides our lives and religious ways.
I feel people are scared of new religion partly because of what you have mentioned but also because they think God and knowing God is old.
We have had many true teachers in the past and also in today times, one being Serge Benhayon. It is when the true messages get reinterpreted by the mind and imposed that cause the issues.
The Way of the Livingness empowers us to live lovingly and responsibility from our divine wisdom. We are each a Son of God and no one is better – just some have chosen to remain more connected to their truth.
And for me too Joel. Thus us the only religion that the whole of it makes sense to me but more than that feels completely and absolutely true in my body. It is me being a student if my own heart and developing my relationship with God through the way I choose to love, support and live with me and others equally so.
The Way of the Livingness may seem new to many but it feels ancient, something I have known before just waiting for it to return. It seems many have mistaken a religious life to mean going to church and abiding by some sort of imposed doctrine instead of connecting to a divinity we all feel equally within us all and like you say Joel we recognise this essence in individuals living with a certain quality both inside and outside the church.
I agree Marika, the common factor is the heart of the people and the choices they make day to day. The way of the livingness does not rely on rules, sacrifice or worshiping all powerful deities whose favor we are seeking. The way of the livingness is about the choices we make and the way we choose to live.
The only thing I would add is that The Way of the Livingness may be new by name but it is not a new religion at all. It finds it roots intertwined through different movements throughout history, many of which have been bastardised through time. Indeed, there can in truth be no such thing as a new religion. There is only religion – which represents by definition our timeless relationship with divinity. One of the saddest things I have born witness to is the bastardisation of the use of this term to the point where people now are afraid to use it when it is within us and around us. Even the atheist in truth is religious – for they too have a relationship with divinity, only their relationship is defined by their refusal to acknowledge the existence of God. That, by definition, is still a relationship. And so, no matter who we are, we cannot avoid the fact that we are religious – if we understand what it truly means.
Thank you for sharing this insight Joel. I feel that over the years there has been more harm than good come from religions which is why they are often thought of skeptically. I can feel the truth in the words of some of the great teachers, it just seems that when an institution is made from these teachings it gets bastardized into a set of rules to run the religion and no longer holds the truth of the teachings. The way of the livingness may be the first religion that asks as to look within and develop a relationship with god rather than beseech an external deity.
Joel what you present is refreshingly simple – the religion of the heart. I had given up on religions when I first met Serge Benhayon, but I have always known that there are wise people with good hearts; now I know that this is the basis of true religion – no dogma, beliefs or chapel, just a sharing of Way of Livingness, a very practical and loving way of being in the world.
These dominant religions which I have not been apart of, feel to me like you have to give something to receive the belief. They have a leader who appears untouchable and unapproachable and very male dominant. The Way of the Livingness is the complete opposite. It’s about you and your inner heart and humanity. It’s about connecting to your body – feeling, listening and expressing. Serge Benhayon is very approachable and will always listen to you and never judge you. We are all equal both men and women. This is true religion as it is about the people and not about a book.
In regard to religion, there is truth, and then there is the interpreted version. The true meaning of religion is to re-turn back to the love that we are. Throughout the ages, many devoted teachers have come to show us the way home, Buddah, Jesus, Mohammed, Krisha etc. Their teachings were pure and Heaven sent to awaken the many Sons of God from living lives as mere sons of man. That is, there is a way to walk the Earth with Heaven in your heart. Thus, the many points of light awaken to the fact that they are a part of a great light and a grand body of love that is called ‘God’. However, the interpreted version of these teachings is what we have come to call ‘religion’. Far from awakening the ‘sons’, these man-made fabrications seek to incarcerate humankind deeper into slumber by way of introducing lofty ideals, vengeful Gods, strict commandments and of course, ultimate punishment for straying from these imposed ways. We now have such a dizzying array of religions with all such conflicting dos and don’ts, it’s little wonder people are either scared off the whole package they are fed or, they stick firmly to what they have been taught/born into. If in doubt, a simple rule is: anything that supports our reconnection back to love (God) is religion, anything that gets in the way, is a lie.
I love the 7 myth busting bullet points that get to the heart of what true religion is Joel. If I had been taught this at school, I wouldn’t have wagged the scripture classes! Religion is about re-connecting to the love that we already are. Once that connection is made, it is then about expressing this love in full so that others remember that they too are made from this same love. There is no fancy building required in which to worship, just the temple of our body and the Kingdom within our heart.
You expose beautifully that religion is not the common factor it is the heart of the people/person in this world that makes our experience great or bad. Religion is a way of being that we bring into our life in all that we do. It never imposes or dominates over another. It is the love we hold in our heart for self and all others equally.
This is an incredible subject that you are deconstructing Joel, of how new religions are viewed so sceptically in society today. Your comment of ‘how we then interpret and live their messages is where the problem lies?’ has so much meaning and is the key to understanding where religion has lost its way in the past. Very thought provoking.
Thank you Joel, with each line you write about what religion truly is, I could feel old apprehensions and attachments to the word releasing. Without a doubt I know what religion is, it is a way of life I choose every day – The Way of the Livingness.
The way you systematically de-rule, de-regulate religion before our eyes is beautiful to behold Joel, and leads us to the heart of the matter – that religion actually lies within us all. It feels like ‘religion’ is the sorest, rawest point we know as people because the truth of our heart matters to our every cell.
The word religion seems to conjure up an idea of something irrational. I love your list of tenets for this new religion. It’s time to get back to the true meaning of religion, one that serves us and our connection with God.
A beautiful explanation of true religion. Thank you Joel.
“ Religion is simply about building a way of living that confirms we are all equal and returning to the fact that we are not just humans, but spirits and souls learning how to reconnect to what we have pushed away for many, many lifetimes… our own innate and ever present divinity.”
I so love reclaiming myself as religious. The truth of this reclamation resonates within me and every one of us must eventually come to understand that being religious is our nature.
The bastardisation of the word religion, and the abuse and corruptions we have witnessed in the way institutionalised religions have taken advantage of its position of power, have done so much to stop people from embracing the word religion and its concept derived from the misinterpretation, but religion is not a set of doctrines or ideologies or about belonging to a group, it is our relationship to life and what is, therefore in truth, it is not possible not to be in religion as long as we exist on this plane of life. We are always religious.
You are correct in saying that the common denominator of truly, caring loving people is not religion but being connected to their heart. I totally agree with the core principles of a true religious way that you have outlined so simply and clearly. As you say, we do not have to walk away from a religious way of life, but in fact with these principles we find they are also those of truly caring, loving people.
Another stupendous monumental blog Joel Levin and what clarity you bring about the true meaning of Religion.
There is so much here to comment on so a few re-reads needed, but for now what sticks out is when you talk about our past great world teachers like Buddha and Jesus and say
“how we then interpret and live their messages is where the problem lies?”
This is huge as it is the mis-interpretation and re-interpretation which means the true messages are not being Lived and this is the great problem in all religions of today.
There was so much dogma for me in all the 6 religions I tried out and nothing felt consistent as the “incongruence” you speak about was there like a thread in each one.
The Way of the Livingness unites us ALL Equally and to me this is the religion of our future – a no brainer as some would say.
Beautifully presented Joel, what stood out on this read was how true religion is there to unite us in our equalness and to confirm one another and ourselves in that. I can feel the sacredness in this religion, not because of the ‘specialness’ of any one teacher or leader but because of the sacredness within each and every person on the planet. The Way of The Livingness invites us to reconnect to that and know ourselves and each other by that.
It’s so true that “we also find amazing, lovely, deeply caring people who live outside of religion and in other religions, so the common factor is not the religion, it is the heart of the person and how they choose to live.” In this it is so obvious that it is not the religion that creates the amazing, lovely, deeply caring people. It is the people themselves who are choosing to live connected to their hearts.
Can totally relate to your comment Marika … Having been raised in a traditional religion, in my 20’s I began to become disgruntled with the hypocrisy, and began searching for something (at the time to no avail) to try and make sense of religion and God. I was at the point of abandoning it altogether as there were so many discrepancies that still didn’t feel right or make sense. The Way of The Livingness is the only religion I have found that makes absolute sense, and where there is no exclusivity, no rules, and which is based on nothing else other than what is naturally inside of us all. For the first time, I can say and feel I have found true religion.
Superb article once again Joel, that clearly exposes all the reasons why the word Religion can cause such a stir and what it really means. I love this quote “After all, we also find amazing, lovely, deeply caring people who live outside of religion and in other religions, so the common factor is not the religion, it is the heart of the person and how they choose to live.” I realise from reading your words that so often we have used different forms of religion as an identification in times of great distress, when the wars waged either in the name of religion or despite it rendered thousands of people homeless and landless and then the only rock to cling to was their current religious culture. It took me a while to accept the truth of the word Religion, a word for me that had much blood on its hands. However, with the very wise, truthful and nurturing teachings of Universal Medicine, I have been able to relinquish my reactions and reservations about how humanity has twisted and abused the word and now openly embrace it, because I truly understand what it means. The Way of the Livingness offers us true religion, a Way that heals, educates and supports people from all walks of life to re-unite with their sacredness within and deeply honour, care for, nurture and love themselves, their partners, their families and their neighbour. I have never come across such an all encompassing approach to true religion, free of doctrine, full of love, truth and wisdom and actively embodied by those who share it with the world, Truth, Love, Compassion and Joy in intention and in action through and through.
Beautiful Joel Thank you so much this is a real and true knowing of “the Way of the livingness” that simply makes sense and comes from my absolute knowing inside also and having found it is what I have come to know as my Religion too. The Way of The Livingness is the real true way of being, lived Divinity.
Wow Joel – you really do bring up the elephant in the room here. Yes – I believe that I have resisted religion because of what it tells us it is vs. what I have seen. It feels like a two sided affair that I choose to lose trust in. But what you share here is the possibility that religion is about humanity and people first before it is about any conformity. We are all equal.
In a time where there is so much going on in the world and most of it all as a result from so called religions, it feels absolutely wonderful and so needed to have this simple yet so profound exposé on what true religion is. Thank you Joel.
In a time where truth is hard to find, we need a religion which is true –The Way of the Livingness. One of the many lines I love is: ‘Religion is not about showing us what we need to become but should be confirming of the glory that we already are.’ Thank you Joel for letting us feel and getting to know what is religion in its true meaning.
Absolutely Mariette. The waywardness of, and harm caused by religion is very much in the limelight under the hammer at the moment. I pray that one day all will come to realised that what Joel suggests is true – that “… the great world teachers like Mohammed, Buddha, Jesus etc were right, and how we then interpret and live their messages is where the problem lies?
The Ageless Wisdom has outlined a way of living that is true religion, right back from the beginning of time and we have constantly reinterpreted it to suit ourselves, to monger power, to abuse each other and foster separation. The Way of The Livingness is the modern representation of the Ageless Wisdom and I cannot argue with this way of living any longer! I have never known love like this, not for myself and not for others, nor experienced a real equality with all in any other life path.
Beautifully expressed jeannettegold and I am in full agreement with you. The Way of The Livingness is within us all, just patiently waiting to be re-lived through the simple (although not necessarily easy) awareness and re-connection with our body, going deeper and returning unto our essential essence of Love, Stillness, Harmony, Truth and Joy when we choose to make this choice.
No churches or edifices required, no ministers or books telling us how to behave as we come back to the living truth, equally within us all.
“The Ageless Wisdom has outlined a way of living that is true religion, right back from the beginning of time and we have constantly reinterpreted it to suit ourselves, to monger power, to abuse each other and foster separation. The Way of The Livingness is the modern representation of the Ageless Wisdom and I cannot argue with this way of living any longer! I have never known love like this, not for myself and not for others, nor experienced a real equality with all in any other life path”.
To see, feel and experience such dishonouring to downright abuse under the banner of ‘religion’, a subject we deeply know is sacred and such impositions being the complete opposite of the truth, it makes sense that people would react. But what you’ve mentioned here Joel is what if we have been referring and relating to an orange as if it were a pineapple – we are reacting to something that isn’t even what that something truly is even if there are similarities. What if religion is not about what we see in the mainstream today? The Way of The Livingness has been the only religion I have come across that doesn’t have snippets of truth but the whole package and the list you mention is a great readers digest version.
Thank you once again Joel for presenting another amazing blog. I have always felt that if you put Jesus, Mohammed, Buddha and the other great world teachers into a room together that they would not need to speak to each other as they would naturally know the truth that each of them brought to the world is a universal truth; there would be complete harmony and stillness in this room. In complete contrast, if you put the followers of the religions created in the name of these great teachers in another room they would be instantly into comparison, criticising each other, arguing whose religion is the true one, attacking each other, and in some cases killing the ones who didn’t agree with them. So we have to ask ourselves what happened to the true messages that we were presented with, that they have been willfully distorted and manipulated into what we today call religion? No wonder many want to run at the word. But finally a true religion has been presented to us; one that offers these true teachings and one that contains no dogma, no rules, no abuse of power and no control. Thank God, and Serge Benhayon, for The Way of the Livingness, my religion.
What you say Ingrid just makes sense, how long do we stand for what world religions represent when all they achieve is division, secrecy, hypocrisy, bloodshed, genocide, power and control, not to mention enormous wealth. Yes thank Heavens for a true religion, one that has been with us for aeons already but we have chosen not to look at because we don’t want to face the truth. Finally, thanks to Serge Benhayon The Way of The Livingness this is being lived by many by showing us how to re-connect to what we already hold within, and that is the grandest love of all, true love.
Thank you Ingrid, great point! The truth of who we are is the same for everyone deep down, and the examples of Jesus, Mohammed and Buddha are simply examples of our different forms of expression, yet it all still coming from the same place within us all.
Ingrid, I love how you have described putting these 3 great world teachers into a room together. For most of my life, I have felt that all the main religions of the world, when getting down to their ESSENCE, were basically the same. The problem is all the ideals, beliefs and dogmas that were added to that essence, and the mediation of another person (e.g. priests or groups of persons, up to the Pope) there between us and the divine. All this has been added over time by those who have reinterpreted the original teachings. The Way of the Livingness strips away all of those false interpretations of religion, making us aware of the great divinity that is there within us all along. We just have to get ourselves out of the way.
Yes Beverly Croft – the best kept secret of all is outed by Serge Benhayon and The Way of The Livingness, being that we, meaning each and very one of us, can connect to God, to the Divine without “… the mediation of another person (e.g. priests or groups of persons, up to the Pope). The truth is revealed “…there between us and the divine”.
Awesome, Joel. To lay down the principles of true religion and cast out the common beliefs and ideals we hold onto is a great service to all. You concisely bring out the heart/essence of what it means to be religious and to live together in the sacredness we have known in the past and are now reclaiming as “The Way of the Livingness”.
A great point you raise here Janetwilliams06. There have previously been religions based on living in harmony with ourselves and each other, free of the corruptions of politics and other self driven agendas. The Cathars are a great example of this.
Thanks janetwilliams06, it reminds me of another work that likewise sets the foundation for this new religion, it was called ‘what if’ 🙂
It is to be reclaimed “The Way of the Livingness” is our way, the way of all. The only thing that matters to your matter is the quality you live in, no doctrine can ever replace that.
Thank you Joel – and for everyone for their comments. When we can connect to the clarity and simplicity of ‘The Way of The Livingness’ we are offered a way of living that sets us on a path that is no longer hampered by ideals and beliefs, but based on a livingness that is felt and shared by all as we open up to our innate and forever unfolding knowingness. We we are all equal and within that equality we are all offered the same level of love and opportunity to connect to our own divinity. We are not ruled by people with ‘superior access’ to what is true – we know that truth from within ourselves and the way that we live our lives offers us moments where we can embrace the all that is our life within the universe where we have responsibility not only to one another but to every other bright star and planet that shines so brightly to inspire us in our every moment. We are truly blessed.
Fabulous blog, Joel. I love your bullet points as to the original meaning and purpose of religion. Also “But what if the great world teachers like Mohammed, Buddha, Jesus etc were right, and how we then interpret and live their messages is where the problem lies?” Good question, this is the nub.
All these great world teachers’ teachings were misinterpreted into separate religions that we see today. The disharmony and harm this has caused is horrendous throughout the ages and current times. How long will it take for us all to realise this and start living together as ONE, in equality, harmony, love and truth? Thanks to The Way of the Livingness many, many people are now living the true meaning of religion.
Joel another master piece delivered with you innate ability to ask us to look more deeply into our lives and in this case Religion. It was interesting for me to feel myself a little unsettled by your article and yet I wasn’t sure why because I was agreeing with everything you were saying. I feel even though religion has never been a part of my life up until The Way of the Livingness, there is a history to religion that doesn’t delivers what is promised, and has fallen short on so many accounts, especially the abuse of children by the priests of each era. This is why this line stood out for me, “People seem tired of being promised so much by religion only to find that time and time again, the words and the deeds do not match up.”
“Religion is simply about building a way of living that confirms we are all equal” – what a novel concept, but one that makes so much sense. Many religions judge others based on their religion or lack of, and even though ideally there is some form of ‘tolerance’, there is often an underlying belief that because they are not a part of their ‘one true religion’, they are somehow inferior, and may even be condemned to hell as a result. Seems a bit extreme, but this is the belief system indoctrinated by several major religions.
Extreme it might be, but in the name of religion many wars have been fought and millions of people have been murdered. How come we accept that as normal and as the way it is, a mere inconvenience and banality, when it undermines our very essence and true nature?
Boom, you say it all, Joel: “Could it be that we have mistaken religion for a set of ideologies, canons and doctrines rather than a way of living that connects us to and confirms what we feel within?” and
“Religion is simply about building a way of living that confirms we are all equal and returning to the fact that we are not just humans, but spirits and souls learning how to reconnect to what we have pushed away for many, many lifetimes… our own innate and ever present divinity.”
Nothing to add here.
Hahahaha – I like the BOOM at the beginning! But I agree, this blog is like a bomb of truth. 🙂
The word religion has for a long time had a strong association with the word disharmony. I like what you present Joel as considering that our religion comes from within is a move away from the many religious practices that give ourselves away to a particular set of tenets or beliefs. There is no ideology in religion, it just is what is divinely within us all. If we see religion as being intertwined with science and philosophy perhaps religion would not be so emotive but instead just accepted as a natural part of who we all are.
Thank you Joel, you always deliver the simplicity of a subject, even one as controversial as Religion. Understanding that to be religious is to re-connect, it becomes clear that this re-connection is actually to ourselves and not to anything external. ‘The Kingdom of God lies within’ is a well known phrase and as it turns out it is true. When we connect back to our innate Glory, everything is there, just waiting for us to gain awareness of the Grandness we truly are.
Beautifully said Jo. ‘The kingdom of God lies within all of us’. We all are from the same spark.
Hello Jo Swinton and so simply laid out and true from the origins of what the word religion is, to bind, connect or to re-connect. As you say, “actually to ourselves and not to anything external”. That phrase is out of the bible and is like you say, “The Kingdom of God is within you”, you can’t get much clearer. Why don’t we see things this simply as it all makes so much sense, no confusion, no wars etc, just a deep connection to yourself.
Why wasn’t I surprised when I saw Joel’s name as the author. Excellent like always.
I agree with all that is said.
The fact is that, as human beings, our trust has been bashed against the shorelines for so long. Even if a true religion were to raise it would have to fight its way to the top.
Because it would have to bring qualities so consistently, loving, understanding and patient for the world to finally …trust.
Luckily the Way Of The Livingness offers this.
Totally Luke, as soon as I read the title I knew it was written by Joel. The word religion has been so sorely tainted with the wrongdoings that have been allowed to take place time and time again behind closed doors or from the wars that have stemmed from religion. In many ways it is no wonder that the concept of a new religion makes us feel anxious as what has been perpetrated runs deep. As you say a new religion would need to have exceptional qualities to climb its way to the top of the religious quagmire we have today, but you betcha, The Way of the Livingness does it.
You Betcha 🙂 … ❤ it!
‘But what if the amazing, lovely, deeply caring people who are in religions are not amazing, lovely, deeply caring people because of the religion, but because of who they are within themselves?’ This is so true – there are many people who inspire us because of the way they live, not because of their religion.
And many of these people may not even be aware that they are living a Religion that is as old as time itself. For the true Religion has never left any of us as it resides within all, for all to tap into without having to go to building to pray or join a group.
Another of your powerful blogs Joel Levine – Thank you for ‘shedding light’ on the misuse of the word religion and how this perpetuates deep fear and mistrust and exposing that the common factor is about deeply caring people, not religion.
“After all, we also find amazing, lovely, deeply caring people who live outside of religion and in other religions, so the common factor is not the religion, it is the heart of the person and how they choose to live”.
Thank you for sharing Joel, I have also found The Way of The Livingness to embody in full everything what I can call religion to mean and be in its true sense of the word. It honors everyone equally not because of being associated with it or not but rather because ‘it is the heart of the person and how they choose to live’ which is honoured first and foremost.
This is a great point Joel, ‘But what if the amazing, lovely, deeply caring people who are in religions are not amazing, lovely, deeply caring people because of the religion, but because of who they are within themselves?’ This completely makes sense to me, it is the people not the institution that is amazing; the amazingness, caring and love is already there in people whether they are part of an institutional religion or not, there is no difference in us, we all have this amazingness, sometimes we just give the credit to the various religions and give our power away to these rather than feeling that it is in fact us who are amazing.
This is really powerful Joel. Religion is often not talked about in this way; we all know how much it separates our world but few are willing to expose it and redefine what religion really is, which you have done brilliantly. I think this is important, ‘what if the great world teachers like Mohammed, Buddha, Jesus etc were right, and how we then interpret and live their messages is where the problem lies?’… That is so very true; we never seem to question the interpretations of these teachers over time, but considering they lived thousands of years ago it is extremely likely their teachings were misunderstood by some, and rewritten. Religion, as you say, is about every person finding their own way with the world and returning to our divinity; not blindly following teachings that you have not first felt to be true.
I agree Susie – the truth has always been present and there have been those who have been there to show it to us but through so many translations the essence of true religion was hidden.
I would have to say that I was one of those people who tried many different religions looking for something only to discover that each one had its own set of beliefs which excluded others. As a result I started to turn away from religion, but then I found Universal Medicine and The Way of The Livingness, which has helped me slowly to have a totally different relationship with religion, in the true sense of the word. With The Way of The Livingness there is no exclusion or exclusivity, everyone is seen as equal and to me that speaks volumes.
I would say the same Julie, after a lifetime of looking, in The Way of the Livingness I have found my true religion, no dogma, no preaching from the pulpit, no enclaves of robed and embellished elders sprinkling incense from jewelled cups made from precious metal producing edicts on how we should live, just simple, true brotherhood that comes from the heart and counts one as all. Truly a religion for the people. All people.
Before I came across the Way of the Livingness, I was very guarded, mistrusting towards religion. I have always been very respectful of others beliefs but never felt able to relate or connect to what was being presented and I struggled with the purpose of devotion when I observed it in others. The Way of the Livingness has turned everything on its head, for the reverence here begins with us and a simple connection to our innermost. From this awareness I have experienced infinite freedom, true simplicity and a body of love that has no boundaries. Today I see grand purpose in self-commitment and self-responsibility and have greater appreciation and understanding for others. This audacity beams from within, a new religion that is fully lived and embodied in the joy of steadiness.
Having seen so many things in the established religions that do not feel truly religious i.e. the child abuse within the catholic churches it can be easy to turn away from religion all together, yet as you’ve shared Joel, and from my experience of the Way of the Livingness “maybe we don’t need to walk away from a religious way of being but rather return to the original meaning and purpose of religion”. With this it’s not that we are having any new religion per se, but instead coming back to what we naturally know and feel true religion is and with that my understanding is a loving way of living in connection with myself, the universe and everything else. There is much to explore and understand about true religion however I feel it’s important we no longer allow ourselves to turn away from religion because of the misinterpreted versions of it.
Thanks David, this is a difficult road to re-establish a relationship to religion, and let go off all that people have labeled it with. There is a simpler form of connection we all hold and a religious way of being, that is a reconnenction I treasure.
Thanks Joel.. Religion has definitely been misconstrued to be something outside of us with do’s and don’ts and retribution. I have come to know that religion is none of these, religion is my relationship with something I personally hold very dear and sacred — and for, it is my relationship with God. Not a god as worshiped at a synagogue, church or mosque, but the God that is all-knowing and that I know is with me all along when I connect within. My religion is to nurture and devote myself to this forever deepening relationship with God, with love, with myself and our true origins as one humanity
Joel, when we deeply know and feel that the way we live is it – truth and love, than we do not need to panic or try to fight other religions or convictions as they do not present a threat to us, to our trust and connection to God. Of course history shows it differently, and our presence too – there are far too many victims from the religious wars. But how can a religion be truth and love if it allows to kill our fellow brothers?
A very valid point Sonja. God is love, so to kill in his name cannot be an act of love but the very opposite. Love unifies and harmonises, it doesn’t rage and fight and war and hate. Any child can tell you this, so what went wrong? ….we walked away from love.
So true Joel. It is the word ‘religion’ that triggers the reaction as to many this implies division, separation, being different, complying with rules and dogma imposed by others and historical and current abuse, aggression, conflict and fear. The Way of the Livingness is a way of living in re-connection to our inner-being and knowing God and love in our inner-heart and from here live in brotherhood with all whether they choose this way of living or not. There is nothing new in this. This is the true meaning of religion when we are free of beliefs.We don’t ‘belong to’ or ‘follow’ The Way of the Livingness; we live it.
I love your comment Mary, I used to cringe at the word ‘religion’ before I became a student of The Way of the Livingness. I associated ‘religion’ with all the horrific things you’ve mentioned and they simply didn’t make any sense. The Way of the Livingness brings back the true meaning of religion and like you said, it’s nothing new, its ancient teachings brought back to us in its true form, teaching us to live it and not to follow it. Now, I understand that it is the way we choose to live connecting to love and truth consistently that connects us to God.
Beautifully said Mary in response to Joel’s blog on religion. I for one have reacted for years to the word religion as my experience, particularly at a Convent, with one particular Nun, was anything but loving and true and yet I desperately wanted to belong. When I asked one of the more approachable Nuns why she wasn’t married, she replied that she was married to God. I felt that was pretty cool, so decided I wanted to be a Nun. Luckily my parents removed me from that school. Now that I have found that it is about the livingness in me, religion makes sense and not having to belong or follow anyone else, that feels like a true religion.
Man the word Religion has picked up some baggage over the ages. Stripping it back to the basics of what these true world leaders like Jesus, Mohammed and Buddha were saying without the need to control the masses and teaching responsibly for all equally will make people reconnect without the scepticism to their own Way of the livingness. We are living in a time where we have one of the great world leaders living in our midst, who is the first person of our era to make sense of and cut through all the nonsense built up by most religions. Are we on mass ready to listen?