#inner divinity

The core message of the incarnation of God in Jesus is that the Divine Presence is here, in us and in all of creation, and not only “over there” in some far-off realm. Indigenous religions largely understand this, as do some scriptures (see Daniel 3:57–82, or Psalms 98, 104, and 148). In Job 12:7–10 and most of Job 38–39, God praises many strange animals and elements for their inherently available wisdom…reminding us humans that we are part of a much greater ecosystem. Creation offers lessons in all directions… From the first moment of the Big Bang, nature was revealing the glory and goodness of the Divine Presence… Once we become aware of the generous, creative Presence that exists in all things by their very nature, we can honor the Indwelling Spirit as the Inner Source of all dignity and worthiness. Dignity is not doled out to the supposedly worthy. It grounds the inherent worthiness of things in their very nature and existence. The true and essential work of all religion is to help us recognize and recover the divine image in everything.

'He only is wise who devotes himself to realizing, not reading only, the ancient revelations,' he said. 'Solve all your problems through meditation. Exchange unprofitable religious speculations for actual God-contact. Clear your mind of dogmatic theological debris; let in the fresh, healing waters of direct perception. Attune yourself to the active inner Guidance; the Divine Voice has the answer to every dilemma of life. Though man's ingenuity for getting himself into trouble appears to be endless, the Infinite Succor is no less resourceful.'

It is not required of you that your own sense of mercy, justice, and truth should be outraged by submission to an outworn system of religious forms and ceremonies. The religion of the spirit leaves you forever free to follow the truth wherever the leadings of the spirit may take you. And who can judge – perhaps this spirit may have something to impart to this generation which other generations have refused to hear?

It is often the mystics who understand that “My deepest me is God!” to paraphrase St. Catherine of Genoa (1447–1510)... [Mystics see] God’s divine image as more fundamental in the human soul than sin. The fourth century theologian and mystic Gregory of Nyssa held that: "In each human soul there exists a divine element, a kind of inner eye capable of glimpsing something of God, for there exists a deep relationship, an affinity between human and divine nature."[...] Mechtild’s work is motivated by the deep desire that the soul return to its original being in God. It is her true nature to live in the flowing light of the Godhead, just as it is a bird’s nature to fly in the air... She has emanated from the heart of God, where she must return... In the early seventeenth century, Francis de Sales (1567–1622) became Bishop of Geneva, Switzerland. In a time of deep religious division, he was known for his belief in “original goodness.”