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Windows
of Heaven
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- Oliver Mbamara
The topic of heaven will continue to elicit controversy just as religion would. While some believe that heaven is the home and kingdom of God, others believe that it is a special place for those who have lived well in the eyes of God and man. Yet, others believe that neither heaven nor hell does exist, but that life begins and ends here on earth - from birth on earth to death on earth. There are still others who believe that heaven does exist, but that it is only a state of consciousness, and not a place stationed somewhere away from us.
The last group of believers mentioned above, further insist that heaven being a state of consciousness, can be attained while on earth, and not necessarily after one dies. They state that perhaps, the closest that could be said about heaven being a place, is that it is a place in us, we do not go to it, but we expand our awareness of it. They insist that there are planes of heaven as there are planes of existence, and that these planes could be visited while one is still living in the physical body.
They make several references to support their point. Due to space, let us examine only three. (1) St. Paul of Tarsus, in his letter to the Corinthians: "I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven--whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows… And I know that this man…was caught up to paradise." (2) Jesus the Christ as reported in the book of John: "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you." (3) The Shariyat-ki-Sugmad Book 1: "The human body does not have to die to make these journeys to God. Each visit will be only temporary until one leaves the body for the last time on earth."
The preceding submissions seem to suggest that heaven is a state of consciousness, and like a kingdom of so many mansions available for every prince or princess who accepts such heritage since one cannot claim something that one does not know of or believe in its existence. That we are all princes and princesses of God, and the only difference lies in the choice of each individual. Heaven or hell? Now or after?
Proceeding from the premise above, one finds in happy celebrations and holidays like Christmas, Thanksgiving, and etc., the opportunity to renew one’s accord with God and with oneself as a prince or princess of Divinity. Many would not deny the happiness and love that certain seasons and occasions bring. The love, the sharing, the understanding, the friendship, and the tolerance exhibited by all. The general feeling is akin to that of an innocent child, what some might call a heavenly state of mind. The great ones have always said that to experience the kingdom of heaven, one should have the heart of a child - a pure heart. It is up to one to choose to experience heaven, a state of existence that is attainable here and now.
Depending on one’s belief or consciousness, a joyful occasion or season could serve as a window of heaven, an opportunity to grasp and/or to glimpse that state of bliss, perhaps not permanently attained while on earth, but re-attained and re-won over and over again. This is only my understanding and I am still learning.
YULETIDE
In New York, the meter-maid
Will hardly ever write a ticket,
And the cops will hardly bother,
Except only for a flagrant crime.
In Africa, everyone is gladly rich,
Calling on all to share with them
Their meal and tales of adventure,
Through the year so encountered.
Everywhere, all friends and folks,
Unseen for sometime hug and kiss,
Sharing sweet smiles of happiness,
And the gladness of a joyful season.
By the corner, kids play and dance,
Making friends of mixed generations,
Building grounds for future friendship,
Good for another loving revival.
In the air, it stays and smells,
As happiness over sadness reigns,
With cheers and charity all spreading,
Painful incidents are lightly treated,
Joy is the feeling, world over,
Forgiveness gives in great abundance.
Charity lives in generous hearts,
Salutations greet, It is Christmas!
©Oliver
O. Mbamara, February, 2003
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Oliver Mbamara is an Administrative Law Judge
with the State of New York. He is also a filmmaker and a Published Poet
and playwright. For more on Oliver, please visit www.olivermbamara.com
For
background/research reference on this piece, click on this link
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