World Scripture Ⅱ
Part One - God and Creation
Chapter 1 - God
1) Knowledge of God
2. Evidence for God within the Self
Religious scriptures
Eye cannot see him, nor words reveal him; by the senses, austerity, or works he is not known. When the mind is cleansed by the grace of wisdom, he is seen by contemplation—the One without parts.
Mundaka Upanishad 3.1.8 (Hinduism)
The thing that is called Tao is eluding and vague. Vague and eluding, there is in it the form. Eluding and vague, in it are things. Deep and obscure, in it is the essence. The essence is very real; in it are evidences. From the time of old until now, its manifestations ever remain, By which we may see the beginnings of all things. How do I know that the beginnings of all things are so? Through this.
Tao Te Ching 21 (Taoism)
As the Holy One I recognized Thee, O Wise Lord, When He came to me as Good Mind; The Silent Thought taught me the greatest good so that I might proclaim it. Avesta, Yasna 45.15 (Zoroastrianism)
Who knows truly, and who will now declare, what paths lead together to the gods? Only their lowest aspects of existence are seen, who exist on supreme, mystical planes.
Rig Veda 3.54.5 (Hinduism)
Confucius said, “The power of spiritual forces in the universe—how active it is everywhere! Invisible to the eyes and impalpable to the senses, it is inherent in all things, and nothing can escape its operation.” It is the fact that there are these forces which make men in all countries fast and purify themselves, and with solemnity of dress institute services of sacrifice and religious worship. Like the rush of mighty waters, the presence of unseen Powers is felt; sometimes above us, sometimes around us. In The Book of Songs it is said, The presence of the Spirit: It cannot be surmised, How may it be ignored! Such is the evidence of things invisible that it is impossible to doubt the spiritual nature of man.
Doctrine of the Mean 16 (Confucianism)
Teachings of Sun Myung Moon
Before I came into being, God exists. Before I was able to think about God, God exists. God rules over my whole being, including my senses. This is the most important key to understanding. It is a principle that experience precedes understanding. We do not know what cold is until we feel cold. First we feel the cold weather, and consequently we form a notion of cold. Likewise, to know that God exists, you should feel His presence in your very cells. To what degree do you experience God? To what degree does your actual experience confirm God’s existence? That is the question.
(58:291-92, June 25, 1972)
God is alive; so is the Devil. How do you know that God exits, or that the Devil exists? Communism and philosophy in general raises this question. It is the philosophical argument of idealism versus realism. In the latter perspective, anything invisible is not real, but merely an abstract idea. Even the conscience is thought of as a mere concept. It is the same with love. Love is also an abstract idea from that point of view, yet in truth, love is not an idea. Love connects with everything in our actual life. (186:67, January 29, 1989)
Do you have love? Do you have life? Do you have lineage and conscience? Then, have you ever seen love? Can you see life, lineage or conscience? You know these exist, but you must acknowledge that you cannot see or touch them. You know them because you sense them with your mind. A similar logic applies to the question of whether God exists, or whether a person can see God. Anyone can recognize God and confirm that He exists. Once God comes into your heart, your heart knows Him. (May 1, 2004)
Just as you understand the true meaning of filial piety only after having your own children, you can sense the value of your faith and experience the concrete existence of God only after you have put your faith into practice.
(29:198, February 28, 1970)
Had humans not fallen, no one would question whether God exists. Each of us would know the answer through our original minds. Had humans been born from good parents whose original nature was fully developed, they would know God’s existence naturally from birth. Doesn’t a baby emerge from the womb knowing how to suck its mother’s breasts? When the newborn is presented with the breast it begins sucking instinctively. Likewise, had the Human Fall not occurred, we would instinctively know God. Firmly relating with God, we would know how to solve any problem and understand the right path to follow. However, because of the Fall, that original relationship was forgotten. Humankind created a world in which people doubt the existence of God. This is, indeed, a miserable situation.
(20:306-07, July 14, 1968)
Just as an electron revolves around a proton, human beings are made to revolve around God. God can pursue the providence for restoration because the human mind, as an electron, naturally relates to God’s mind as its nucleus, its proton. Hence, when we search for the truth, even all by ourselves, we begin to feel the vibration of God’s life and the harmony of God’s love.
(2:137, March 17, 1957)
What is the world we long for in our hearts? It is not the world that we perceive through the outward five senses. Nor is it a world created by concepts. We long for the world of heart, filled with God’s love. In that world, we can feel the love of God in even the smallest subatomic particle. You must experience this world. Jesus said, “He who has ears to hear will hear.” You cannot experience this multi-dimensional, transcendent world with your everyday feelings.
(7:255, September 20, 1959)
God’s true homeland is the spirit world… If you want to truly know God, first know the spirit world where God lives and works.
(365:302, January 14, 2002)
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