THE PROFOUND QUESTION

[cyberangel]

Hello my friends,

Yesterday as some of you know my son got confirmed and it was a beautiful day. During the service I felt something I had not felt for such a long time within the church. I felt a sense of home – like a re-connection. Many may say it was the day that was in it or that the ‘Holy Spirit’ also touched me and maybe so...I did not feel a connection to the congregation so much but more to the church and for what it stand for. During the ceremony the Archbishop asked a very profound question to the young children that were just confirmed and this question has stuck with me. He asked:

“What is your relationship with God?”

Of course he didn’t want them all to jump up and answer it was something for them to contemplate on but it also left me stunned not by the question but because ‘I’ was unable to answer and this confused me. Last night I asked a similar question in the online chat room and of course I got answers immediately describing what God is to each of them like...he is someone you can talk to, he listens, he guides us and so on. I also started to answer the question in church with the exact same replies, but the question kept repeating within my mind every time I tried to answer it, which REALLY puzzled me. I felt like I was unable to answer it in the end, as the question just kept echoing in my mind, so I decided to let it sit there for the time being and I would consider an appropriate answer later.

Last night, I tossed and I turned in bed. I was as restless as could be and although extremely tired I was unable to sleep. Every time I tried to sleep I kept dreaming of the Papal Flag flying in front of me. I could see the yellow and white cloth keep flapping in the wind. Then the same question kept repeating....

"What is your relationship with God?”.....

”What is YOUR relationship with GOD?”...

”WHAT is your RELATIONSHIP with God?”....

I thought I would go mad at one point and I was aware that the question was coming from within but I also was aware that it clearly needed an answer. So I decided to ask the only other that could help me...GOD. I said:

“Dear God, today I heard a question that I felt so strongly that I must answer but I am struggling with how to do this, can you please help me understand why this is so difficult?”

Now my dear friends I am able to answer the question *sighs of relief* and I will in due course share my answer, what I can say is what an amazing man that Bishop is and I am going to write to him and thank him for this question and I also want him to know my answer, but for now, I will leave you my friends, with the same question. I will be interested to read your own answers if you would like to share them, if not that is ok, but I do hope you all take this question into your heart and never let it leave you.

“What is your relationship with God?”

Love and light x x x

[jash]

Namaste. This is such a great question, angel. Thank you for bringing it to my mind. Like the greatest questions of life, it is simple but also profound.

I would have to answer from a Hindu perspective. A lot of people think Hindus worship many gods. But that isn't the whole truth. In Hinduism, there is one ultimate God, Brahman. Brahman is reality itself, rather than a part of reality. Because God is reality, God is imminent in everything, since reality is everything. But God is also transcendent, because God is the whole of reality and the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.

This makes the nature of God as hard to understand as the nature of reality. God is imminent and transcendent, personal and impersonal, creator and creation, finite and infinite. Just as reality is able to contain these contradictions, so is God.

So What's my relationship to God? God is within me, but also beyond me. I am a small part of God, but every part of God is divine, so I am divine. Though I don't know it as well as I should. Everybody is divine, so I should be aware of and treat everyone, including myself, as divine. This is why God is depicted in different aspects in Hinduism. God is the formless behind infinite forms.

I can't understand God, because I can't contain God in my mind. I can only open my heart and mind to God. I can pray to God, who has a personal aspect, whilst legitimately claiming myself to be God. This is because God is speaking through me as one of His aspects. God is as close to me as a father, but is also even closer. The Upanishads refer to God as a magician, and the universe as His magic trick. It's all an illusion. But nonetheless, the magician is real.

Peace and Happiness,
Jash

[samy03]

That's really a very well drafted question from your side Angel. And Yes it is something which actually a rising alarm for each one of us to relate & connect ourselves more deeply to Love, Care, Affection, Joy, Peace, Harmony & forgiveness; nature of God Himself.

Now, the Question which has actually being quoted as :

"What is your relationship with God?"



Before getting into the depth of these spiritualistic Golden mine of Words. It's important for us to understand what does the term "Relationship" means?

Well, A Pure Relationship is in itself a huge thing, that includes Sacrifice, Commitment, Emotional Connection, Belief, Trust etc.

Now, for every individual, they have there own world of categorising and giving importance to this term "Relationship" in the materialistic world in different forms, according to there own level of satisfaction, likings that matters the most to them, which will include the common ones named as:

- Relationship with the Family
- Relationship with the Friends
- Relationship with the Business
- Relationship with the Partner

Means this spirit (human body) that lives on this earth, gets involved within the Materialistic life so deeply, or in other words you can say that they didn't get enough time apart from the normal daily life work and other activities. So that, they can at least give sometime to them in person for few minutes which is almost impossible now a days.

And, especially in today's competitive world of Stress and Anger all around.




That's why, only after when we devote sometime to holy places like going to Church/Temples, reading Spiritual books, doing regular Prayers, Developing a higher level of seeing everybody in a equal manner, Reducing the thoughts processes that runs in our mind; with the help of meditation and other healing techniques, practice to live as much as possible a simple and stress free life, giving respect to elders and children & anybody we get in contact with at a same manner. And do many other same positive things that helps this physical body to experience something; what we call as "Satisfaction", "Peace" & "Love".

Then the transformation that the Individual feels/experience within his/her own life, will make the individual realize the fact or the truth of this human soul connection with that divine which exists everywhere in this world, & Named as "God"

The feeling that develops at that point of relating yourself with that divine, connects you directly with everyone. And then the realization that takes place at that moment will makes you understand that there is not even a minute gap between "I" & "We". Actually its just the physical structure and this external consciousness that shows this whole great play, which is being designed by that divine (God) himself, by putting these spirits on different roles as per the requirement of the script.

But, in Core its the Whole of the Universe exists in One & The One which is present in the whole universe.

Relationship to God in other words can be called as:

- The love and concern that a parent have for there children
- The brothers concern for his sister regarding her safety & security
- The teachers concern for his student for the examination
- The Lovers concern for his/her Partner to be there for them always

In short, the purity like the water that has this natural quality of getting easily mixed with anything, is exactly our relationship with the god. NO matter whatever we do whether right or wrong; good or bad; Ultimately that holy divine (God) will always be there with us (Spirit).

In other words, our relationship to GOD is so strong that even the breath that we take, being the reason for us to live on this earth, stops one day and let us leave this physical body finally.

But even at that time also, the thing that is still connected with us is only and only the divine soul/God.

So, as a human being we may break ourselves to not believe/connect with God. But, he is one who is always be there with us, no matter whatever the circumstances will be.

Amen.

God Bless Everyone.

[wayne]

Sometimes it’s impossible to find the appropriate words that will explain things in simple terms, especially when it reaches up beyond the third dimensional level of consciousness. And if one does find appropriate words it still may not be easily grasped by some only because we are all on different levels of understanding.

To simply say - “What is your relationship with God” - cannot easily be answerable as it is a relationship we have with Him on the inside, to express it in words on the outside is very difficult.

If one totally gives oneself over to God then that one will come to realise in time, that there is no distinction between themselves and God. This is where meditation comes to our aid, it expands the mind for allowing one to comprehend and grasp things beyond the normal reach.

So to give a reasonable answer I will say through a metaphor;

If you look at your hand and wonder what its relationship to you is, you will realise that you and your hand are not separate entities but connected, a part of one another.

There is “no” distinction between us and God. There is always only the ONE, namely GOD. We are all just reflections of God’s image, as is EVERYTHING! 

I hope this makes sense.

I am editing by adding something much more profound - LOVE.

I had to go out of town yesterday and as I was driving what kept echoing through my mind was what I put in the above, or rather what I didn’t put. I left out one word which is the main ingredient that holds everything together - LOVE. 

How could I have ever forgotten that, that which is God.
So let me also add, my relationship with God is based on Love. The real love (Prema).

[cyberangel]

Dear Jash, Samy & Wayne,

I just wanted to thank you all so much, for not just your beautiful words, but for the time you all spared to consider the question I do not want to say anything else as there is nothing I could possibly add to each of your responses. I do hope others are also finding their own answer to this simple but profound question and I hope they will also share. I have my response ready to share and I am just waiting for the right moment, but for now I just wanted to acknowledge you all mainly for sharing such astute words and wisdom.

Bless you all

With much Love & Light my friends x x x

[sparklekaz]

Hi Lorraine,

What is my relationship with God? Its a question, that I have turned over in my mind, many times since we spoke about it on chat, and since you asked it on this forum. I have read everyone else's answers with great interest, not only because many of the things mentioned have resonated with me, but because it is very heart warming to see, just how many people do have a relationship with God, in so many different ways.

I have asked myself what is the definition of a relationship. Is it the interaction, the flow between people. Can we define our relationship with God in the same terms as our human relationships. Because for the most part, relationships between people are reciprocal in easily seen ways. They may not always be harmonious, because relationships can be very intense and at times challenging. I thought about how I talk to God, but do not hear him talk back to me. My awareness of God, is of more of a sensing nature. One in which I talk, and God answers me through 'sensing' or 'feelings'.

Then I realised..God 'does' talk to me. Through other people. Every person we speak to, whose words inspire, hearten, warm or show us love, are sent to us by God; God talks to me through them! God, can't take my hand and physically take me somewhere, but he can guide my footsteps in the right direction. God communicates with me through my feelings and intuition. He is the one that encourages me to grow through self awareness, so that I can understand myself better and not be so hard on myself or on others. God wants me to see the light within me and the beauty that I cannot see. Because he knows, once I do this, I see the light and beauty within everyone else. God wants me to love myself more, so that I then have more love to give other people.

God, is the driving force and motivation behind all the things I do in life whether I am always aware of it or not. Even the most painful lessons I experience, and the terrible mistakes I make, are Gods way of showing me how to be a better person. I have faith in God, I trust in God and even if I cannot see why my life is the way it is, I know that it is always for a reason. God comforts me when I am sad, he leads me home when I am lost. My relationship with God is everything. Only I didn't realise it, until you asked me that question!

Love and light
Kaz

[cyberangel]

Dear Karen,

Thank you for your beautiful reply Also I agree Wayne GOD IS LOVE, nicely edited

and so my friends it has come time for my response to the question...rest assured like you all I wrote pages and did lots of soul searching and even lost some sleep lol...but it was so simple in the end, I asked the only who knows my relationship with GOD... and that was GOD himself, I asked:

“Dear God, today I heard a question that I felt so strongly that I must answer but I am struggling with how to do this, can you please help me understand why this is so difficult?”

the reply:

"Some questions need to be more understood then answered"



"What is your relationship with GOD?"

my reply: "It’s an unspoken understanding"


Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for all your wonderful perfect replies...and above all THANK YOU GOD and I LOVE YOU xxxx

Love and light

[wayne]

If only the world could see God in that Light, what a world it would then be. You did us a great honour cyberangel in allowing us to declare before all the love we hold for God. Thank you xx

[cyberangel]

Dear Friends,

I was so moved by not only the Bishop's question but by all your wonderful 'relationships' with God that I felt I had to write to the Bishop in question and thank him. I am posting a copy of the letter here on the forum as I felt it only fair I should share it with everyone who participated. Thank you all again xxxx


6th March 2013

Your Excellency,

Last Friday you confirmed my son along with all the other children of the parish and it was a wonderful day and I thank you most sincerely, but my letter is not about the confirmation itself but more a response to a question you asked. I would like to tell you a little about myself first before I relate to the meaning of this letter.

I was brought up in the Roman Catholic faith as a child and I dutifully attended mass weekly with my family and I continued well into my teens and indeed into my adulthood, but not as devout I must add. Anyway to cut a long story short, I found myself doubting – not God, but myself and my beliefs. I suddenly found myself lost and confused and somewhat isolated spiritually.

I have always felt God’s presence within my life, with my wonderful family, my faithful and adoring husband and with our beautiful ‘Miracle’ son. I have also been blessed with many friends as well as members of the clergy as friends. I have always asked questions and love deep spiritual discussions although I have a very simple mind.

Over the years, my family have had a lot of hardships with illness and with one thing or another, but we tattled them together and got over everything. I know there are many out there, who deal with far worse than what we had to endure, but over time it wore us all down, and we became tired and weary of trying to keep going, and to be honest at times it felt like we were losing an ongoing battle.

But we stood firm, although at times it near tore us apart, but we have survived so far, wounded yes, but still continuing on the journey. Anyway, somewhere along the way I drifted away from the ‘Church’ not intentionally at first, it was just other stuff came up and we had to deal with it or we were just too exhausted to attained mass.

Over time this became a habit of missing mass, where I didn’t seem to miss it although I did have a ‘guilt’ inside but I put it down to being ‘conditioned’ as a child and I soon got over it. Although I would miss mass regularly I would still pray to God in my own way and especially on Sunday. Over time I realised I needed interaction with people like me who are also searching for a way to God.

Anyway I found a spiritual web site online and I have been a member there for nearly a year now and I have made many wonderful dear spiritual friends. We come from all backgrounds, beliefs and religions, but we all have a common love for God. None of us have ever met in person. It’s like a meeting of minds, but I prefer to say a meeting of ‘souls’ and I call them my spiritual family.

We don’t always agree with each other’s views but we like to discuss with one another in a non judgmental way and even if we don’t except another’s views or beliefs as our own, we like to show a respect for each other. Over my time there and sharing many spiritual experiences I have grown into myself and who I am. In doing this I have become more excepting of others too.

Please let me apologise for such a long winded letter but it felt right that I share that part of my life with you. Now I can address the reason for this letter...but to do this I need to share how it all came about so please if you can bear with me a little longer I have included an excerpt of part of the online forum I belong to...it is self explanatory from this point on...so please if you have some spare time your grace I would be deeply grateful if you read on thank you.

(Here I included all your wonderful posts above)

Your Excellency,

Thank you for reading this long letter but the reason for writing it has still not been revealed.

I decided to write not just to thank you from myself but on the behalf of all the people who have heard your question and all those who will continue to hear it, maybe even long after you and I are gone. The point is that You, Your Excellency, by whatever guidance or grace, asked a simple question and by asking you have reached out and touched the hearts and souls of many, not only in our faith but in others too. I have learned that LOVE is universal and I know GOD IS LOVE.

I have decided to return to Church and mass, and I return with a wider understanding and an awakened mind but above all a deeper faith in God and I return with a heart full of love not only for God but for mankind.

Thank you most sincerely and May God bless you always,

A child of God

Now my friends,

I don't expect a reply from such a busy man and indeed I did not write for a reply, it was to let this man know that his words, vibrated something within me which rippled outwards and long may the ripples continue, through you and yours. God bless each and every one of you and I thank God for you all.

God Bless x x x

[wayne]

If that letter when he reads it doesn't bring him to tears because of the sincerity that's in it, than I dont know what will. What a beautiful heartfelt letter you wrote - Thank you for keeping us all involved and God Bless (you).

[cyberangel]

Awww Thank you Wayne and I feel very blessed to have such lovely friends here. God Bless you xxx

[clara927]

Someone in an earlier post mentioned in order to have a relationship with God you have to understand what a relationship is. Someone also mentioned that God is also within. A relationship is built on trust and because I haven't showed I trusted God or myself in my actions, it shows that I have little faith in God. Part of me does or I wouldn't be here saying this but it's not as strong.

Often times we're are faced with harsh realities of life and closed doors to the past. I feel that these are all challenges. Do we break down and stay down? Do we break down and then cover it up with a superficial happiness band- aid returning to the same behaviors and being the same person albeit with different surroundings? Or do we break down, truly let go of what was , ask God for direction and then follow through?

My relationship with God is in it's infancy. I feel as though God has always been there trying to get me to listen. But often times I don't learn the easy way. Life needs to be harsh sometimes before any change can occur. Either way it's our choice.

[holistichealer]

IMO, we all have a relationship with God. It's a given. It's always there, available whether we know it, make use of it, respond to it- or not.

That's really one point of coming here so many times to the physical- to consciously accept it.

[markings]

There is no God. The only relationship possible is then one of absence, leaving some people yearning and hoping that there would be more than what is, and others with the simpple acceptance that we are insignificant creatures on an insignificant planet in an insignificant galaxy of an insignificant universe.

For me that is quite all right. There is enough that is awesome, marvelous and wonderful without any embellishments.

[cyberangel]

Thank you all for sharing your beliefs or non-beliefs. There is a little saying in Ireland which goes like this...

”Each to their own!”

Indeed each of us to our own beliefs or again non - beliefs as it were, so long as you are truly ‘Happy’ in yourself, then I am also happy for YOU:)

Thank you ALL once again for sharing,

Love and Light
God Bless

[kmac55]

My relationship with God is an everyday experience.  From the time I wake up to the time I go to bed we are together.  I tell Him what I like about my life.  I tell Him what I don't like about my life.  I ask Him for protection. He guides me and strengthens me.  He tells me who is for and/or against me.  He tells me what He expects of me.  He pushes me to do better but does not hurt me.  He tells me that my situation is not too much for Him and He will help me.  He tells me what to tell others so they may believe in Him.  He tells me that I am not a waste of His time and He needs me to understand.

Personally I have a relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ.  He tells me truth and I am expected to tell others.  Jesus is my Father in Heaven.  He makes up for everything that my Earthly father was not.  He does discipline me at times.  I know its for my own good.  I don't mind being restricted at times.  I know its just God's way of saying:  Ok, now that I have taught you these things, you need to show me what you have learned.  He also says if we are not making mistakes we are not learning.  It is our responsibility to not blame ourselves.  I do know that God knows everything.  He only knows everything so that He can protect me.  He says that He already knows what I want and need, He just wants me to ask Him.

I could go on forever with the things God has taught me.  But for now, I will end by saying...

Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior.  I would be nothing without Him.

[alvinw333]

My relationship wjth God would be LOVE by love I trust apreacheat, and thank and have stronger faith in Him, anyway it would be LOVE. You can put many words to difine what true Divine Love means, that would be my answer. Blessed Be