Judging Books by Their Covers
February 8, 2024
People talk a good game and make all kinds of promises. Also, we see many photos that portray things in a particular manner. However, we can be disappointed and hurt if the reality is not as pictured or described. A wise saying is, "The proof of the pudding is in the eating." The proof is evidence that the representation is, in fact, accurate.
Often, we judge things by what a person says about them. Also, we can judge food, events, a person, a vacation and all we have not yet experienced, if we look at photographs, TV, presentations, videos, etc. But unless we experience it first hand or "taste" it, we never know if it matches what we hope or fear it is.
We reflected this week on the concept of direct experience. With up-close and personal experience, we know what the pudding tastes like. But what do we do if the pudding is not there? Somebody describes the pudding; we see a picture or read a story about it, but it is not there. It is only promised or said to be there.
An example is when we judge someone's description, promise, or testimonial. Let's say they believe in angels, and they say that we, too, can see angels if we only ask. Let's say that no matter how hard we try, we do not see any angels, so we cannot taste that pudding. So, do we chunk out the entire concept of angels? No.
A very good friend had a near-death experience. He was in the military and contracted an infection that he eventually died of. George recounts his experience as if it happened yesterday. "I awakened in the military hospital's morgue and was scared to death."I looked all around because I was out of my body and wanted to jump back in it so I could live. When I looked at all the bodies, I could not identify which one was mine. At that time, a voice beckoned me into a tunnel at the end of which was a Being of light so warm and welcoming that I was drawn to it. The Being said he wanted to show me some things before I returned to my body. The Being was the most accepting energy I had ever felt. I did not want to leave him." George Ritchie later chronicled this experience in his book Return from Tomorrow.
I cannot directly experience this "pudding" of George's, nor can I anticipate ever having an experience like it. So, what do I do? This is when we go inside and feel the validity or invalidity of someone's experience. We place the experience in our hearts, heads, and bodies. I first heard about George's experience on an audio tape as a graduate student. Hearing his words warmed my heart and confirmed many truths I had already believed but had never put into words. His story moved me to contact him even though he lived states away, and our subsequent friendship was life-changing for me. I kept his experience in my heart where it is today. I felt his truth was true.
When our inner Being feels that another's experience is true but not provable, the only recourse is to disbelieve or believe. This is what religious beliefs are made of…faith in the unseeable. "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1.
Inquiry: Why would developing all three intelligence centers be important: heart, head, and body?
Dear God,
I believe my friend George with all my heart. I have faith that he was in Your presence. Amen
To receive Dr. Howell’s Reflections in your inbox everyday, complete the form below to begin your journey into who God has made you to be. The path to wholeness starts now!
