A Message From God

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Guest Blog by Doug Rodgers
I woke up the other day with a message from God in my mind. It went something like this.

Dear humans,

You seem more troubled than usual these days, so let me try to help you find a way forward.

First of all, I do love you, always have and always will. My message to you hasn’t changed either, except for the one commandment that went something like this – be fruitful and multiply. Take dominion over the earth. Remember that one? Of all my commandments, that is the one that you took seriously and actually accomplished. So check it off your list.

Now, let’s talk about next steps. Many of you have figured out that to keep your technology-enabled comforts you must make some fundamental changes. If you don’t, you will once again be naked, living in what is left of the forest, searching for food, and fighting off the neighbors…or the crows and racoons may take over and you might become extinct.

You have learned enough about the physical world to solve your technology issues, which all seem to start with “too much” – too much carbon dioxide, too much plastic, too much screen time, etc.

What you haven’t figured out is how to live with each other. The world religions that I started many centuries ago brought you from seeing only the small tribe where you knew everyone to a larger group of tribes that now shared a common faith yet had different customs. Even though that process isn’t nearly finished, you need to take the next step. You need to cooperate with those who don’t share your common faith, or even a common understanding of the world itself.

The rules for living together haven’t changed, however, and neither have the challenges. You still need to treat each other with respect, behave honestly, and practice compassion. There is nothing new about any of this, but there are some parts of the modern world that make it more difficult.

Most of you Americans live where physical violence is not a daily threat like it was, not that long ago. Instead, you have moved your minds to an abstract world of images, memes, and algorithms, most of which are successfully amplifying your negative emotions. You have allowed yourselves to become more disconnected from each other than you may realize. You have a lot work to do to get this back in balance, and I can’t do that for you, but here are a few tips that might help.

First, Friend the Dalai Lama on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/DalaiLama). Read his daily message of compassion. Take a moment to let it sink in.

Next, go to YouTube and look for Alan Watts. His lectures have been divided into 5-10-minute videos, so you should have enough patience to watch one of them. Let his message take you out of your negative thoughts.

Finally, make friends with your neighbors, or at least smile and say hello. Friendship can start with comments about the weather.

Best wishes to you all. And I do really love you. — God

17 Responses to “A Message From God”

  1. Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. 
    Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. 
    Avoid loudness and aggressiveness in persons, they are vexations to the spirit.
    If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain, bitter. or despondent; for always, there will be more and less capable persons than yourself.
    Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
    it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
    Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery.
    But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism. 

    Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, some form of it exists, it is as perennial as life.

    Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with  imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
    Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. 

    You are of the universe, atoms from stars; and whether or not it is clear to you, the universe is unfolding as it will.

    Therefore be at peace with imperfect  consciousness and however  you conceive deity  to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life strive  to  keep peace within yourself and others.

    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.
    Be careful    Strive to be happy
    Max Ehrmann, Desiderata, Copyright 1952.   Modified 2021 by Ted Downey 

  2. Dear god, I love the writing and sentiments of your blog: compassion, love, & joy. You even listed the resources of the DalaiLama and Alan Watts which I will soon check out. Thank you, god, for your message. 🙂

  3. One of my favorites for inspiration is Alan Watts “Could Hidden, Whereabouts Unknown”
    Joanna England

  4. “You need to cooperate with those who don’t share your common faith, or even a common understanding of the world itself.”
    Thank god for the good advice.
    Well done, Doug
    G

  5. I love good advice from trustable sources that also make me smile! Thanks Doug (and God)

  7. Thank you Doug. An excellent message for our time & place. May we all take this to heart ?.

  10. I love your message (God”s) and will check out your recommended resources. They sound like jewels.

  14. Compassion and Joy – have been my focus for awhile. Thank you.

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