Greenharvest Funding Defeated!

I am happy to report the Hawaii County Council voted not to accept over $400,000 for Greenharvest operations Wednesday. Angel Pilago, council member and mayoral candidate, changed his mind and voted against the funding as a result of testimony given by me and many other concerned citizens. I congratulated him for having the courage to vote his conscience and do the right thing despite the fact that he thought it would loose him votes in the upcoming election. I think and pray it will bring him more votes. Our local council member, Emily Naeole has consistently acted admirably in representing her constituents on this and other matters. Thanks also to the two other council members who voted against the funding. Aloha.

God-dess Calls Us

God-dess creates and sustains the universe. All creatures and things depend upon God-dess who alone is independent. God-dess is inconceivably, simultaneously immanent and transcendent. We should worship God-dess always and open ourselves to grace, the only way to attain freedom from the seemingly never-ending cycle of birth and rebirth.

When one achieves liberation, one does not lose one’s identity and merge with God-dess as non-dualists believe. Rather we maintain our identity in an eternal, loving relationship with God-dess that overflows with bliss. The devotion we practice in this life is purely manifest in the liberated state. Devotion is both the means and the goal.

The objects of this world are real, exist and are different from us. Objective reality is also a gift of God-dess given for our enjoyment and training as we learn and practice our eternal relationship with God-dess. God-dess offers many possibilities for us to choose from. We are free to choose and actualize possibilities that bring us closer or distance us from God-dess. These choices alter our mode of existence in the world. Yet all humans are innately capable of choosing devotion to God-dess who calls us in love.

Scriptures are understood within their socio-political context, and need to be reinterpreted for the present day. Thus while practicing the teachings of Krishna Chaitanya and his followers, these teachings are made fresh and relevant. We live in a multicultural pluralistic world and recognize the relative nature of truth presented through the ages. All true paths lead to God-dess in various features or manifestations.

All humans share a common core of humanity. Yet we are conditioned differently according to our various cultures. Therefore, the various spiritual paths externally differ according to culture while maintaining an inner unity. We should be tolerant and understanding of all religious traditions. The highest paths are those that teach pure love of God-dess.

Science and Religion

Here is a link to my latest essay, "Science and Religion" which discusses the compatibility of the two. http://www.stevebohlert.com/science.html Current science is not an obstacle to belief in God-dess. Aloha.