thesoulpurposedotorg

2000 years ago, in the middle of the ancient city of Ephesus stood one of the seven wonders of the world – the temple of Diana. 360 feet long and 180 feet wide, it was supported by 100 marble columns. In the center was the statue of Diana; beautiful art sorrounded her. There is a resurgence of the worship of Diana as a denomination of the Wiccan tradition in our time.

I first heard of her while reading the book of the Acts of the Apostles I was fascinated by the difference in St. Paul’s response to the temple of Diana as well as his reaction to the temple to the Unknown God. I actually have a very ambiguous attitude toward St. Paul – I am quite sure he and I would not get along very well in this world system. However, I am impressed by his lack of condemnation or fear of people worshiping these other gods and goddesses.

His presence was a threat to those who made their money from promoting these gods and goddesses. But he didn’t blaspheme or slander the gods and goddesses of others. I find this both instructive and fascinating. Then, I am fascinated by the incredible variety of understandings of divinity both now and throughout history.

I find that the older I get, the less I need to “correct” everyone else and the more I respect the honest search for truth in others. At the same time, the gods and goddesses seem to me to be reflections of this search for spiritual reality and authentic experience of the One from which all has come.

Many years ago, my mother and father were in the habit of taking a walk around their neighborhood at dusk. One evening, my father didn’t want to go so Mom grabbed the flashlight out of it’s charger and set off on her own. She had a pleasant walk greeting neighbors and dogs, stopping to talk or look at the latest flowers growing in the gardens. It seemed the flashlight wasn’t necessary. When she got home, she went to put it back in it recharger and only then noticed that instead of the flashlight, she had been carrying the rechargable hand vacuum cleaner! We all still laugh at that thought of what would have happened were she to have tried to turn on the light as she greeted a neighbor only to find the sound of the vacuum and no light!

What does this have to do with gods and goddesses you might well ask? I just want to be sure that when I need the light, that I’m not carrying a vacuum.