Interfaith Spirit Quest

Interfaith, Inner life Music - Playing for Change - One Love

Enlightenment and Peace through the Truth, Beauty and Goodness of Music, especially this music.....

The act of playing music with people of different cultures, religions, economics and politics is a powerful statement. It shows that we can find ways of working together and sharing our experiences with one another in a positive way. Music has the power to break down the walls between cultures, to raise the level of human understanding.

~ Mark Johnson, founder, Playing for Change

Music Video by Playing for Change:

One Love

“Let’s get together and feel alright”. While recording and filming in Dharmsala India, where we planned to add some Tibetan singers to this track we passed by a small record shop on the side of the road. The display featured about 50 Tibetan CD covers and one Bob Marley album in the middle. This song around the world is in dedication to the love inside each of us. We can achieve far more together as a human race than we ever can apart. One Love.

Interfaith, Inner life Music - Playing for Change - War - No More Trouble

Make a Joyful Noise....

The act of playing music with people of different cultures, religions, economics and politics is a powerful statement. It shows that we can find ways of working together and sharing our experiences with one another in a positive way. Music has the power to break down the walls between cultures, to raise the level of human understanding.

~ Mark Johnson, founder, Playing for Change

Music Video by Playing for Change:

War - No More Trouble

Interfaith, Inner life Music - Playing for Change - Don't Worry

Shout to the Lord....

The act of playing music with people of different cultures, religions, economics and politics is a powerful statement. It shows that we can find ways of working together and sharing our experiences with one another in a positive way. Music has the power to break down the walls between cultures, to raise the level of human understanding.

~ Mark Johnson, founder, Playing for Change

Music Video by Playing for Change:

Don't Worry

Map of Humanity - Historically Oriented Map of the Soul

WOW!  View this interesting creation - a "Map of the Soul" or "Map of Humanity" - This Humanity Map, created by James Tuner, is a giant atlas listing human emotions, states of mind, judgments, characters and more; placing real and fictional locations in seemingly purposeful specific territories or continents.

Larger Version of

Map of Humanity

The Map of Humanity organizes information much like an atlas organizes information geographically, except this map organizes locations based on moral, emotional, and cultural significance.  This is a very interesting map to just sit and study. 

Map features continents and other geographically situated markers called: 

• Wisdom
• Truth
• Reason
• Answers
• Hedonism
• Abandonment
• Tranquility
• Courage
• Faith
• Dreams
• Eros
• Imagination
• Ingenuity
• Realism
• Ignorance
• Pride
• Destruction
• Poverty
• Abomination
• Hate
• Envy
• Workaholic Island
• Greed
• Aspiration
• Freedom
• Hope
• Slumberland
• Compassion
• Fool's Paradise
• Utopia

Bodies of Water named:

• Oceanus Cognitum
  
• Sea of Knowledge
• Sea of the Shortsighted
• Sea of Foolishness
• Gulf of Arrogance
• Bay of Logic
• Gulf of Election Promises
• Strait of the Lost
• Strait of Hopelessness
• Oceanus Crisium

Cities named:

• Alexandria
• Stockholm
• Beijing
• Baghdad
• Orleans
• Cologne
• London
• Medina
• Boston
• Tel Aviv
• Naples
• Basra
• Verdun
  
• Chicago
• Chernobyl
• Forbidden Zone
• Vienna
  
• Moscow
• Monaco
• Los Angries
• The Hague
• City of Gold and Lead
  
• Metropolis
  
• Milan
• Olympic City
• Aircastle (in Utopia)

Websites that explain the Map of Humanity in more detail: 

• JT Illustration - The Map of Humanity

"It is an attempt to map the last six thousand years of human history and thought upon a theoretical geography to discover a sense of what kind of civilization humanity has attained. And like the geography of human nations, it is in constant flux, changing and growing as long as mankind walks the face of the earth."

• Joey DeVilla - The Map of Humanity

"Just as Inferno was the most interesting book of The Divine Comedy, the equatorial area and parts south are more interesting. Here’s a map of “Elysium” and its neighbor “Fool’s Paradise”."

• James Turner - explains the Map of Humanity

"From the mythical cradle of human thought in the Garden of Eden, to the farthest reaches of human imagination, the map plots out mankind’s achievements, trials, and tribulations throughout history. We have constructed a world made up of our own actions and beliefs, as much as the one formed by the land we live on. The map of humanity is formed by our thought, our feelings, our dreams, and our nightmares."

Buy the Map of Humanity here or click on the image below to purchase on Amazon:

• 24 x 36 inch Giclee Print (an elevated printing technology)
• Heavyweight Coated Paper
• Suitable for Framing
• Beautifully Illustrated and Quite Legible
• Printed with Archival inks on 12 color Large Format Printer
• Illustrated by the creator of the Rex Libris comic book series James Turner

Like a Butterfly: Creating Conscious Evolution

Humanity Ascending, a video about conscious evolution, offers a hopeful image for the conscious universal growth and progress of humanity.  We as humans are often resistant to change, but good ideas do eventually develop into reality, and like a caterpillar eventually becomes a butterfly if all goes well; we too can develop into something even more beautiful.  We’re not supposed to stay cooped up in our cocoon – we’re supposed to be born again, born into a new reality of truth, beauty and goodness. 

Please watch the following trailer for Humanity Ascending, a video by Barbara Hubbard:

After you have watched the movie trailer, you may wish to purchase Humanity Ascending video - you can do so here. 

Questions to consider after watching Humanity Ascending:

Q1: What can we do to step out of our cocoon?

Are you taking steps along the way toward your spiritual growth and progress, your conscious evolution? Or are you playing it safe, just trying to muddle through life without getting hurt too bad? In the video, Humanity Ascending, we are urged to move past the destructive phase of our existence and progress into a loving and compassionate phase of new reality.

Q2: What role does our faith, our religious beliefs, play in the various levels of our conscious evolution?

What we need is faith that boldly proclaims God's love for all people, and then to boldly demonstrate that faith by showing God's love to everyone we know and meet.

Q3: What can we do to consciously evolve our faith into this new phase of reality?

We need to get to a point where we love everyone with a universal affection, a love that breaks down barriers and seeks to unite us. We must meet people where they are, forgive their ignorance – Jesus did, we must also be able to forgive ourselves when we fall short – let's not be so hard on ourselves; let's get back up, seek new information and try again. Let us pray for a spirit of service, joy, humility, abundance, generosity, wisdom and strength.

Q4: What happens if we do nothing?

Taking the easy way out, doing nothing, will do more harm than doing something in the long run. People will continue to live in ignorance, thereby stalling not only their own progress, but that of those who surround them. Imagine what could happen if the world embraced a unified, conscious evolution toward loving others as God loves them. This is an improvement on the golden rule; which says to treat others as they treat you – or alternatively, do unto others as you would have done unto you. It's quite different to love others as God loves us; it really makes one think on a higher level.

Free Butterfly Mandala Patterns to print out and color: 

   Lucy Learns Butterfly Mandala Patters to Print and Color

 

Silent Monks Perform the Hallelujah Chorus

God has a sense of humor and so do these Monks - watch this YouTube video of a rare mute monk order from Molalla, Oregon performing the Hallelujah Chorus.

Hallelujah! The Lord is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!

Today is Easter Sunday.  The Friday before Easter Sunday is the day Christians recognize as the day Jesus was crucified.  He died on Good Friday and rose from the dead on the 3rd day - Sunday, which is called Easter Sunday. 

Read about the History of Easter here:

http://www.history.com/content/easter

This is the most glorious day of the year on the Christian calendar - and for good reason.  In Christian Churches around the world today, the first thing you may hear when the service begins is the Pastor announcing "Hallelujah!  He is Risen!" - to which the congregation dutifully responds "He is Risen Indeed!"

Happy Easter!  Each Easter morning I must hear the Hallelujah Chorus - the powerful music just resonates with my soul and reminds me once again that I am born again and that God is real and awesome!  Listen.

Hallelujah Chorus Hymn Lyrics

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
For the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

The kingdom of this world
Is become the kingdom of our Lord,
And of His Christ, and of His Christ;
And He shall reign for ever and ever,
For ever and ever, forever and ever,

King of kings, and Lord of lords,
King of kings, and Lord of lords,
And Lord of lords,
And He shall reign,
And He shall reign forever and ever,
King of kings, forever and ever,
And Lord of lords,
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

And He shall reign forever and ever,
King of kings! and Lord of lords!
And He shall reign forever and ever,
King of kings! and Lord of lords!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!

About the 'Come to Jesus' image above.  Bruce Marchiano played the role of Jesus in a very special film series created by The Visual Bible, called "Matthew".  This film was based on the Gospel of Matthew, following the book word for word. 

In my humble opinion, Bruce Marchiano played the part of Jesus better and more true to form than any other actor I've seen to date.  Why?  Because in this film, Jesus smiles.  A lot.  It's as if Jesus is speaking directly to you through the actor.  It's quite possible the actor was 'coming to Jesus' on the movie set and this shone through his performance!  The ending shows a victorious Jesus - Jesus came to establish his Kingdom on Earth - and His mission was accomplished!  The rest is up to us! 

You can watch the last 10 minutes of the movie here - don't worry, it won't spoil anything - we all know how it ends anyway, right? 

Easter Bunny Impersonators & Pretenders - Do you know who your Easter Bunny is?

Beware of impersonators and pretenders - do you know your Easter Bunny is? 

Happy Easter everyone! 

See more Easter Bunny Impostors here!

I Can Only Imagine - Why you lookin' here, man?

Will I stand in your presence,
Or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing Halelluja,
Will I be able to speak at all?

--- I Can Only Imagine - by Mercy Me ---

YouTube Listener Comment 4/08/09:
Spellwork (18 seconds ago)

"lol, think alittle. I can only imagine. What will it like to stand in God's presence? stumper001. Here is a good question. If you think God is imaginary, why are you looking up these songs? Why do you take time out of your day to make comments that arnt really welcome in this video. It's your opinion and I think it's best kept to yourself. If you think he is imaginary, then you will have to explain that to our all mighty father to his face when your in your own time of judgement."

--------- I Can Only Imagine - by Mercy Me ---------

I can only imagine what it will be like
When I walk by your side
I can only imagine what my eyes will see
When your face is before me
I can only imagine
I can only imagine

Surrounded by your glory
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you Jesus,
Or in awe of you be still?
Will I stand in your presence,
Or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing Halelluja,
Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine
I can only imagine

I can only imagine when that day comes
And I find myself standing in the Son
I can only imagine when all I will do
Is forever, forever worship you
I can only imagine
I can only imagine

Surrounded by your glory,
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you Jesus,
Or in awe of you be still?
Will I stand in your presence,
Or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing Halelluja,
Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine, yeah
I can only imagine
I can only imagine, yeah, yeah, yeah

Surrounded by your glory,
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you Jesus,
Or in awe of you be still?
Will I stand in your presence,
Or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing Halelluja,
Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine, yeah

I can only imagine, yeah, yeah
I can only imagine, Yeah
I can only imagine
I can only imagine, Ohh yeah
I can only imagine

I can only imagine when all I will do
is forever, forever worship you
I can only imagine

Interfaith Spirit Quest Members List of Links & Resources

The following links - in no particular order - have been collected from people who have attended local Interfaith Spirit Quest meet ups.  We will continue to add more links to this list as people provide them. 

The Interview with God
Beautiful presentation with breathtaking photographic images that follow a sequence of questions and thoughts presumably between us and God.

Urantia Book - Fellowship Site
The Urantia Book is for people interested in life; for people who want something more than mere religion; for people who would like to discover their highest spiritual and personal potentials.

Urantia Book - Foundation Site
The Urantia Book, first published by Urantia Foundation in 1955, claims to have been presented by celestial beings as a revelation to our planet, Urantia. Many who have read it accept this assertion.

Truth Book
Truth Book is a Urantia Book website.  The Urantia Book is a revelation of truth to our world. It provides a profound new vision of the relationship between God and humankind, portraying the friendliness, unity and harmony of the cosmos. The Urantia Book gives a vitally insightful presentation of our planetary history and an inspiring portrayal of the life and teachings of Jesus.

Bible Gateway
Research the Bible, look up Bible passages in different translations.

Spirituality
Spirituality.com is a web site designed to help anyone, no matter what his or her religious beliefs, to lean on "the sustaining infinite" and access its blessings through the healing influence of Christian Science.

Dharma Seed
A website dedicated to preserving and sharing Western Buddhist Vipassana Teachings.  Explore and take nourishment from these heartfelt teachings.

Noetic Sciences
Conducts and sponsors leading-edge research into the potentials and powers of consciousness—including perceptions, beliefs, attention, intention, and intuition. The Institute explores phenomena that do not necessarily fit conventional scientific models, while maintaining a commitment to scientific rigor.

Steve Pavlina
Personal Development blogger and author. He has written more than 700 articles and recorded many audio programs on a broad range of self-help topics, including productivity, relationships, and spirituality.

Center To Be
Honors the universal Mystery we name God found in spiritual traditions such as Judaism, Christianity, many Eastern philosophies and indigenous wisdoms; offers individuals of all faith traditions and spiritual beliefs opportunities to explore a deeper relationship with God.

Philosophy Works
The School of Practical Philosophy.  Philosophy Works is a series of 10-weekly meetings designed to encourage students to gain access to inner happiness, wisdom and strength. The basic assumption of the course is that within each of us is an inexhaustible source of nourishment, well-being and understanding.

Landmark Education
Global educational enterprise offering The Landmark Forum and graduate courses that are innovative, effective, and immediately relevant.  Create opportunities for extraordinary results and enhance the quality of your life.

Center for Nonviolent Communication - Nonviolent Communication (also called Compassionate Communication) can be used in any interaction. NVC provides practical skills in language, awareness, and using power to communicate in ways that inspire compassionate giving and receiving toward meeting the needs of all concerned.

.......to be continued - more links will be added as we receive them - please check back from time to time.  Thank you for stopping by.