The Ultimate Art of Being Human

It is well known that the eccentric Cynic philosopher Diogenes, who had a passion for virtue and natural living, was walking around in the daylight with a lighted lantern. When asked why he was doing it, he used to answer, “I am searching for a MAN”. Apparently, even in Diogenes’ days, true men, i.e. human beings with a virtuous character, were something scarce. 

An anecdote about him says that one day he called out for men in order to teach them. When people gathered, Diogenes started hitting out at them with his stick, saying, “It was men I called for, not scoundrels.” 
What was Diogenes looking for? He was looking for people who had realized their true spiritual nature and had submitted their ego with its petty desires and carnal appetites to the dictates of their Higher Self.

Being born in the family of Hominidae, i.e. being a bipedal primate having language and the ability to make and use tools, does not automatically make one HUMAN. Far from it! Possessing humanoid features does not in itself guarantee that one thinks, speaks, feels and acts as a HUMAN...

Dilemmas in Praying for an Organ Transplant

Let me start by stating that if I believed human beings were just their bodies and that consciousness ceased at the moment of death, I wouldn’t be writing this article. There would be no ethical dilemmas with organ transplantation, and the donation – not the selling – of one’s organs to a fellow human being would be a highly altruistic gesture. I ought to mention this as an introduction to the following.

At times of crises and human tragedies or ‘trials’, believing in a personal, omnipotent and all loving God is comforting and soothing, while in many occasions is even saving. However, any unpleasant outcome leaves the praying Christian,...

The Magical Ritual of Transubstantiation

I had no intention of sparing time and energy to write an article on the blasphemous and provocative Orthodox doctrine and rite of the alchemy of ‘Transubstantiation'. Many researchers have already elaborated on this subject extensively. 

Besides, I used to believe that this ridiculous doctrine was but a harmless belief of pagan origin, which over the centuries had become embedded in the collective subconscious of the deceived “Christian” flock, and it was next to impossible to be uprooted from those who stubbornly refuse to reason. 
However, by reading the ailing Archbishop Christodoulos’ recent interview to the Greek paper “Ethnikos Kiryx” (“The National Herald of New York”) on the 29th of July 2007, I realized that the subject is more serious than what I thought, and thus I was prompted to write something about it.

It appears that even a well-educated and intelligent man, as is Archbishop Christodoulos, not just practices,..

Gems of Wisdom from M. Aurelius’ “Meditations”

Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations is one of my favorite readings. Every time I return to this book, especially when my heart is in turmoil over something, I find germs that pacify my soul and uplift my spirit. 
I sincerely believe that this philosophical work is invaluable – a source of spiritual energy – and it should be included in the curriculum of educational institutions. 

Recently I strongly felt the desire to devote an article to M. Aurelius’ Meditations in which to quote excerpts form the best – in my opinion – and most practical of his thoughts. To make his maxims more intelligible, I will classify them per subject and edit them so that they may speak directly to us. I have translated from the Greek edition of the book, published by I. Zaharopoulos – Library of Ancient Writers.

UNIVERSE: 
--There is one Universe made up of all things held together with a sacred bond, and one God pervading all things, and one material substance, and one Law, i.e. one Reason common in all intelligent beings. 

-- Constantly regard the Universe as one living Being, having one substance and one Soul; and keep in mind that everything which happens has reference to one Consciousness, that of the Universe; and all is done with one Energy, and all things are causes of everything that happens; observe also the interconnection of all things and the deeper interweaving of happenings. 

-- The intelligence of the Universe has a tendency toward social life. Therefore it created the lower beings for the sake of the higher ones, and it has fitted the higher for close cooperation with each other. 

-- The substance of the Universe is compliant and convertible; and the Intelligence that governs it has no cause in itself for doing evil, for it has no malice. 

-- Contemplate deeply on the close connection of all things in the Universe and their relation to each other. In a way, all things are interdependent and friendly to each other. 

-- In the Universe, the intelligent Power that made all things, and to which they conform being held together by Nature, is and remains within them.

LIFE: 
-- The art of life is more like the wrestler’s art than...

Internet Forums: An Outlet for Hidden Bigotry?

Let me start with the question: What does ‘discussion’ or ‘dialogue’ literally mean? The Greek word for ‘discussion’ is ‘συζήτηση’, which means ‘to seek together’. 
To seek together what? Obviously, the truth about a matter, what is wise, just and beneficial for all, or what is the best solution to a problem. 
Another Greek word for ‘discussion’ is ‘διάλογος’, a composite word formed by ‘δια’ (across) and ‘λόγος’ (logic). 
In other words, a healthy ‘discussion’ should be the exchange of logical arguments, opinions or beliefs, in order for two or more people to seek together the truth about an issue and, if possible, to agree on a course of action. 
In the ideal ‘διάλογος’ (dialogue), respectfully, unbiasedly and critically, two or more people exchange thoughts, verbally or in writing, so that they may help themselves and each other to get to the truth of a matter. 

My question now is whether the way most ‘discussion boards’ operate promotes reflective dialogue on various ideas and topics or if most of those ‘discussions’ have been reduced to a pitiful outlet of bone-breaking bigotry. From observation and personal experience, I am afraid the latter is the common practice, just as it usually happens with face-to-face discussions.
Let us see now what is the literal meaning of the English word ‘discussion’. The word comes from the Latin ‘discussus’, which is the past participle of the verb ‘discutio’ that means ‘to smash apart’, ‘to shake’, ‘to break up’.

It also means ‘to divide’, ‘to strike asunder’ and ‘to disperse’. Apparently, the term ‘discussion’ fits perfectly to what is usually happening in the ‘discussion forums’! Most people participate in those boards with the intention...

The Delusion of the “Second Coming”

I was stirred to writing this article when I came across an Internet site entitled, “The Second Coming of Jesus Christ, as revealed by the Spirit of God to Steve D. Pardue”. 

My dilemma was in which category should I classify such an article. It would suit perfectly to the categories of Entertainment (horror story), or Humor (black) and, of course, Religion. 
The modern prophet from Nederland of Texas, USA, warns: “It is time to prepare the Bride for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ!” So, excuse me please, this article would also be suited to the category of Dating. Can you see my problem? 
Unfortunately, there are millions of Christians who suffer from the same illusion, i.e. expecting Jesus to come back and sort out the mess we have made in our planet by destroying the wicked (all of us except the “saved” Christians) and “binding” the “Devil” for one thousand years!
If you think about it, talking about a “Second Coming” implies that Jesus is absent and inactive since his supposed bodily resurrection, enjoying himself somewhere out there in “Heaven”. It also implies that Jesus in his resurrected body – which is also spiritual since, according to the Christian Creed, is of the same substance as the Father and the Holy Spirit, although he supposedly rose literally in the flesh – does not have the ability and power to intervene in human affairs,...

Messages Through Visions and Dreams

I very well know a lady, let us call her ‘Sofia’, who, at some point of her life, sincerely turned to God and consequently she had experienced a complete change of life, likes and dislikes. In the beginning of her transformation Sofia was a regular churchgoer, and she accepted as truth all that was preached by Evangelical ministers, although some of it halfheartedly. 

One thing that couldn’t easily go down her throat was the doctrine of Trinity and the worship of Jesus. She had a feeling that by worshipping Jesus as God through hymns she was committing a grave sin. She considered this as a direct violation of the first commandment and she wasn’t in peace when people in the Church prayed directly to Jesus. Needless to say, she did love Jesus and she wanted to follow his steps, but deep in her heart she would not accept him as equal to God. Yet, she had not found the courage to share it with anyone.

One night Sofia had a clear vision that carried a profound message with it. As she was asleep, her room was flooded with white light and Jesus with radiating countenance, dressed up in a white robe, came and stood by her bed. Sofia jumped out of bed and knelt down to kiss Jesus’ feet and worship him. But before she did what she intended to do, Jesus lifted her up with his hands and embraced her warmly, as two cordial friends would do. He smiled but said nothing to her, and in a few moments he disappeared from Sofia’s room as suddenly as he had appeared.

Soon afterwards an ugly monkey jumped on Sofia’s neck and grabbed her shoulders...