The Creation Spirituality Lineage Calling All Social and Environmental Activists, Mystic Explorers, Justice Makers, Cosmic Thinkers, Earth Keepers Daily Meditations with Matthew Fox |
Today's the day: Matthew Fox's video meditation is below! |
What About Resurrection
and Reincarnation? 07/15/2024 |
Recently, I received the following question from a DM reader: Have you given any thought to whether the idea of “one shot at life is all anybody ever gets, and then your soul goes to heaven or hell,” especially when compared to the alternative that our souls reincarnate many times? I don’t think this gets
talked about, nearly as much as it should be. Among other things, a wider acceptance of reincarnation would help explain why some people are LGBTQ+ — and in their present incarnation, they’re supposed to be. Especially if they’ve just completed a series of lifetimes as the one gender, and now it’s time to experience another gender. |
I have written about versions of immortality, resurrection and reincarnation in my book, One River Many Wells: Wisdom Springing from Global Faiths. There I collect 18 themes that I find common to all religions, from the sacredness of Creation, to Light, Names for God, Meditation, Holy Imagination, Joy, |
Matthew Fox discusses how he came to write “One River, Many Wells" in 2004. Video by YELLAWE. |
Suffering, Service and Compassion, Spiritual Warriorhood, etc. And certainly “Dying, Resurrection and Reincarnation” is among such themes common to all religions. That chapter begins with a poem by Sufi poet Hafiz called “God’s Bucket.” I remember sharing it at a memorial service
for our beloved and intellectually sassy “Art As Meditation” teacher, M.C. Richards: |
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| Your existence, my dear, O love my dear,
has been sealed and marked ‘’Too sacred," "too sacred," by the Beloved— to ever end! Indeed, God has written a
thousand promises all over your heart that say, Life, life, life is far too sacred to ever end. |
I think we all respond to a message like that, and feel its truth about the sacredness of our existence. This is one reason why all religions teach about life after death. Meister Eckhart puts it this way: “Life dies, but being goes on.” |
The quest for some kind of immortality goes way back, as we know from ancient burial places we dig up from tens of thousands of years ago. An old Mesoamerican poem puts it this way: Where do we go, oh! Where do we go? Are we dead beyond, or do we yet live? Will there be existence again? Will the joy of the Giver of Life be there again? Do flowers go to the region of the dead? In the Beyond, are we dead or do we still live? Where is the source of light, since that which gives life hides
itself? |
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Adapted from Matthew Fox, One River Many Wells: Wisdom Springing from Global Faiths, pp. 335, 338.
Banner image: A man’s soul takes flight. Image by Ara_a from Pixabay.
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| To view today's video, please click the image. You will be taken to today's post on the Daily Meditations with Matthew Fox website,
where you can see the meditation in a larger version and also view and post your Comments. In the sharing that follows, a kind of community is developing around the DM. If you can't reach today's post on the website directly, click HERE. If you can't reach Matthew's video on the website, try his Vimeo channel HERE. |
Responses are welcomed. To add your comment, or read other comments and enter into dialog, please click HERE to go to our website and scroll down to the Comments field. |
Queries for Contemplation |
Do these two poems speak to you? How or how not? Why do you think all religions speak to the questions of life beyond this one? |
One River, Many Wells: Wisdom Springing from Global Faiths
Matthew Fox calls on all the world traditions for their wisdom and their inspiration in a work that is far more than a list of theological position papers but
a new way to pray—to meditate in a global spiritual context on the wisdom all our traditions share. Fox chooses 18 themes that are foundational to any spirituality and demonstrates how all the world spiritual traditions offer wisdom about each.“Reading One River, Many Wells is like entering the rich silence of a masterfully directed retreat. As you read this text, you reflect, you pray, you embrace Divinity. Truly no words can fully express my respect and awe for this
magnificent contribution to contemporary spirituality.” –Caroline Myss, author of Anatomy of the Spirit |
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In the Beginning There Was Joy: A Cosmic Celebration for Kids of All Ages
The first book in the Father Fox’s Fantastical Fables series tells the story of the big bang and how humans fit into the awesome, fantastical,
cosmic picture! With artwork curated from illustrators around the world, this book expresses the joy and wonder of all peoples and cultures, planting seeds of respect, cooperation and hope to work together for the healing of our planet. "Matthew Fox has created a narrative, for every parent, grandparent, both spiritual and
scientific, that is a gift for all elders who recognize their responsibility in initiating the young ones into the grandeur of existence." Cosmologist Brian Swimme, Author of Cosmogenesis and The Universe Story "Matthew Fox has given all of us, children included, a wondrous and enchanting view of creation
and all that humanity should aspire to." - Caroline Myss, Author of Anatomy of the Spirit and A Time for Grace |
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UPCOMING EVENTS See Matthew Fox's full calendar
HERE |
MONTHLY: Join Matthew Fox, Mariko Middleton, and Skylar Wilson of the Order of the Sacred Earth in a free virtual meeting for connection and networking with other mystic warriors. Last Tuesday of every month, 4:00-5:00pm PT.
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88665302478
Meeting ID: 886 6530 2478 Learn more at www.orderofthesacredearth.org |
Join Matthew Fox as he discusses his book Prayer: A Radical Response to Life in an Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat, Thursday, July 18, 6:00 - 7:30 pm PT.
Register HERE. |
Creation Spirituality Conversations |
Matthew Fox speaks on "Preserving Things in the Good" at the Unity of Walnut Creek Earth Day worship service held on April 21, 2024. |
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Inspired by this post? Share your insights on Universeodon, Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #RevDrMatthewFox and tag Matt with @RevDrMatthewFox FOLLOW MATTHEW FOX: |
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