PERFECT NUMBER
PART 1: Worthiness: Do You Have Value?
Whether you’re a “believer” or not, have you noticed that religions, irrespective of name or label, even some ‘spiritual’ belief systems, want to proselytize and then use even more effective efforts to keep you coming back?
If a spiritual relationship with God is about you and God, why would they (‘organized’ religions) need to be a driving force in your life? Most likely because under the pomp and ceremonies of each church, mosque, synagogue, etc., it’s really about their vested (revenue) interests to keep you invested and investing, by returning on a weekly or regular basis.
One interesting aspect of life, particularly in our day and time, is the overabundance of opinions. As the saying goes, “like a belly button, everybody has one.” As a writer, I spend time reading—and reading others’ thoughts, ideas, and opinions (Mana’o). Styles, content, and responses vary widely.
As one might expect, the grounding element I’ve noticed for every topic has basically two sides to the issue. A ‘pro’ and a ‘con’. Again, as expected. Of course, there are tangential offshoots in many directions, usually employed to verify (or an attempt to clarify further) the validity of one’s position.
It’s easy to get buried in detail, leading one further astray from the cogent substance one is attempting to present. So be it. It’s like digging a hole and then asking for a bigger shovel, only to exacerbate an argument without making any additional headway. This methodology often produces more repetitive peripheral talk with fewer substantive supports.
This presents an image of both sides —or all sides —simply digging in their heels after the first rounds of oral combat. It’s a downward spiral. Eventually, little to no clarity is achieved as both or all sides retreat into self-declared victory. Yet with no avail to compromise or forward an agreement. Each left to ‘fight another day.’ So it goes, on and on. Movement from words, to fists, to clubs, to weapons, to destruction. This is the way of the world as it has been for six thousand years.
As we draw near to the end of existence as we know it, personally or globally, should our focus not include what’s next? And more importantly, how to get there? Depending on one’s postmortem religious or spiritual beliefs, or lack thereof, an afterlife is either heaven, hell, or oblivion, for there exists an afterlife or not.
The conjecture surrounding various possibilities spans a broad spectrum of thought and belief. However, as discussions, arguments, and conflicts — whether verbal or physical — continue, we must consider what happens to each of us after our last breath. This is the central focus of my podcast, “Patient Zero.” What comes next?
While nearly every podcast encourages listeners to develop and implement daily living strategies, the purpose of “Patient Zero” episodes is twofold. First, we aim to share practical tips and takeaways to help reduce the stress, struggle, pressures, and conflicts of daily life. Second, we seek to inspire a desire for deeper self-discovery in the context of our relationships with others on this physical earth. Ultimately, we aim to foster a healthy spiritual connection with “Universal Consciousness” (God) through the essence and teachings of Christ Jesus.
Our focus is on you, both now and in the future. We aim to help you improve your daily life and interactions, and to prepare for what comes next (if you believe there is a ‘next’). We encourage our listeners to step away from the distractions that drag our society down, often caused by unwinnable ideas that keep us mentally, verbally, and physically occupied with the mundane aspects of life. This can prevent us from embracing more essential concepts, such as how to be a better person and how to live more abundantly.
We invite our audience to explore the options available through spiritual understanding and actions. By doing this, you naturally engage with “Mana’o” (thoughts, ideas, opinions) that extend beyond the self (ego, id, libido). This focus fosters growth and sustainability in both personal well-being and relationships. Striking a balance between the physical and the spiritual leads to a deeper understanding of value and worthiness. These concepts serve as foundations for personal responsibility and successful actions, responses, and behaviors.