By George A. Boyd ©2003
Religion produces cultural conversion, which influences
a society through history; societal conversion, which constructs the laws
and institution of a nation; and individual conversion, which results
in the shaping of belief, values and behavior of the faithful. Elements
of these three transformational forces are shown in the table below.
Octave of Conversion
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Transformational elements of this octave
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Cultural Conversion
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Over many generations, a small faith grows into a world religion
by ongoing conversion
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Certain zealous individuals in the faith believe that the whole
world must come into the fold or this religion, inspiring great
faith in a small band of followers
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Different interpretations of the principles and scriptures of the
faith lead to the formation of different sects, who compete for
the hearts and minds of believers
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Through this means, thousands, even millions, of individuals become
identified with a particular path in the GCC, based on the inspiration
of the paths founder
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Societal Conversion
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The inculcation of moral values and lifestyle proscriptions that
ensure that one does not stray from the path
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The entry of faithful members into government influences societal
laws and education
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Active proselytization leads the faith to become the dominant force
in society, influencing art, science, government and education
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Preparation of a priesthood in each generation propagates the faith
to yet new followers
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Individual Conversion
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Presentation of a conversion message that instills fear, shame,
guilt, self-loathing or other negative emotion in the potential
convert
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Prescription of a prayer, meditation or ritual that removes the
negative emotion and leads to identification with this nucleus of
identity
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The continual association of the attention with a nucleus of identity
upon this path through ongoing prayer or meditation brings about
identification with this center
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Opening upon the path by use of the prayer, meditation or ritual
brings enhancement of conviction and faith
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Anchoring the powerful suggestion that this is the only true path
by which one may be saved
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Anchoring the powerful suggestion that one must convert others
to this only true path
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Instillation of awe, reverence and worship for the founders of
the faith and its scriptures by preaching and testimonials
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The cultural nexus of a religion acts on each new, changing
society that arises on the axis of historical time, and propagates its
beliefs, values and practices in many individuals. Like yeast rising into
the bread of society, it comes to permeate every aspect of life and consciousness.
Through its suffusion into every aspect of life and
culture, religion comes to powerfully influence and control individuals
beliefs, values and behavior. In this way, religion traps people into
a mindset and attempts to keep them from escaping from it. It is a pervasive,
hypnotic force in which individuals become locked for their entire lifetimenever
able to look beyond the perceptual veils constructed by the faith.
The Challenge of the Mystic
The mystic is one who escapes from the suffocating hypnosis
of the blind faith inculcated and propagated by religion. He or she learns
to see, hear, feel, think, create, vision and, ultimately, minister outside
the environing thought-field (nousphere) of the faith.
This independence is threatening to the influence, power
and authority of those who govern within a faiths ecclesiastical
hierarchy. It is not surprising that the rare mystics who escape from
the nousphere of the faith are condemned, vilified, persecuted and even
tortured and killed by those seeking to protect the spread of their religion.
The challenge of the mystic is that he or she must do
inner practice and exploration secretly, so as not to awaken the hornets
nest of the guardians and defenders of the faith. Evading the thought
and belief police of the faith, the mystic finds authentic, vibrant and
realized spirituality and travels the path to liberation and Mastery in
full consciousness.
Those that can find the mystic path are rare indeed.
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