Category Archives: Lessons

by Michael Maciel I think that much of our religious imagery comes from the very deepest parts of our biology. What is the one thing that we share with all forms of life? Isn’t it survival? That’s as rudimentary as … Continue reading →

by Michael Maciel The Unmanifest (the formless “no-thing”) is enormous untapped energy. The prohibition against giving it a name is equivalent to today’s saying, “Be careful what you pray for, you just might get it!” Naming the Unmanifest gives it … Continue reading →

by Michael Maciel As an archery term, “sin” means not hitting your target. This implies that you’re aiming at something. But it also implies that you might be aiming at the wrong thing, that your goals in life are misdirected, … Continue reading →

by Michael Maciel Well, you know………..there’s another way to look at this. It’s not that love isn’t the most important thing. All the great ones throughout history have said that it is. But I think it’s important to remember that … Continue reading →

by Michael Maciel Too many people base their religious beliefs on ideas, and too few base them on deep, inner experiences. Language conceals more than it reveals, and beliefs almost always come in words. Even if your belief is predicated … Continue reading →

by Michael Maciel The Self does not exist on the Earth plane. Because of this, YOU do not exist on the Earth plane either. Because the Self (along with the soul) is who you are. If you do not exist … Continue reading →

by Michael Maciel Buddhism teaches that all suffering is caused by ignorance. And that’s kind of hard to argue with. The word sin means to miss the mark. It’s an old archery term. Since we all have goals in our … Continue reading →

by Michael Maciel Everyone has a god, whether they’re religious or not. If you take anthropomorphism out of the equation, your god is simply that which you hold in highest esteem. Maybe that’s intelligence or rationality. Maybe it’s money or wealth. … Continue reading →

by Michael Maciel Mental discipline is key to spiritual development. Your mind is your vehicle, and just like your other vehicle—your car—it requires maintenance and improvements. If you plan to drive up a mountain or travel to faraway places (metaphorically … Continue reading →

Quote by Charles A. Reich, author of “The Greening of America”, from a lecture he gave on power and the law: “Power means to me pretty much the same thing as freedom. Power is the thing that everyone wants the … Continue reading →