Hello Debbie 101, Saw your message on the ANE thread and decided to pop in here. Great idea to come over here, as this board lends itself better, I think to what is discussed. ANE of course is not religious, but I found that most of the ANE threads kind of focused on the "Christian" element. I suppose because Tolle quoted often from Jesus words. Of course he mentioned words from several other sources.

Oakdragon started a thread about Pagan teachings that did not fare well, so I do hope that we can maintain this one.

I found ANE intuned to the earth based teachings. Most especially his encouragement to use the body as a vehicle to access our very aliveness. This body we inhabit is an "earth", and in taking care of our own earth it is reflected outward and can only be a guidence to take care of the planet we reside on. I know we are here to not only experience form, we are here to experience connection to the earth and all "forms" of life.

Namaste, Patee

Dear Debbie...

Thank you for posting another mindset. A clear mind is most helpful on this message board especially, Spirituality.

I am somewhat familiar with Wiccans from a series of happenstance circumstances that lead me to research Earth Based traditions. In my limited understanding I find Wicca and Native American beliefs to be very similar. They both honor Mother Earth.

Quote from the Gospel of Thomas: Jesus said, "If your leaders say to you, 'Look, the (Father's) kingdom is in the sky,' then the birds of the sky will precede you. If they say to you, 'It is in the sea,' then the fish will precede you. Rather, the (Father's) kingdom is within you and it is outside you."

Also, Jesus said, "Those who seek should not stop seeking until they find. When they find, they will be disturbed. When they are disturbed, they will marvel, and will reign over all. [http://And after they have reigned they will rest.|http://And after they have reigned they will rest.]"

http://www.greatdreams.com/gospel.htm

There appears to me a ritual of practices inherent in any belief. The ritual of going to Church on Sunday is one; the giving to the four corners would be another. The common denominator is Prayer. I have found everything to be sacred for without the Father/Grandfather Sun Mother Earth could not take care of Her Children. Respect thy father and mother has a whole new mysterious meaning.

Stephen