What if there was no Bible and no Koran? What if we just listened to what we know the Creator to be deep within our heart? There have been leaders from many different spiritual pathways who basically tried to teach us just that. There is no right or wrong way to experience a Creator.
Some people need to have a flesh and blood leader like Jesus, Buddha or Mohammad to put their faith in. Others may require a father or mother type of deity. And, still others may find their faith within evolution or science.
Everyone believes in something. Everyone has the same sense of wonder and curiosity about the why and the how of creation, and everyone has their own explanation about what happens to us when we leave this Earthly existence. As humans, there are two things that we all have in common. We are all born into this world, and we all leave this world.
I did a survey of my friends, family and co-workers recently. I actually came up with around 76 people who were willing to participate. My question was: "How would you describe a Creator or the force behind creation without using words?" Before you read on, think about the question and express the answer without words.
I was really quite surprised at the results. Sixty-five people did the same thing.. all independently without seeing anyone else's answer. They all lifted their hands palm up with elbows bent and looked up. The remainder either placed their hands across their hearts or placed their hands together in a prayer position.
Among this selected group were Pagans, Jews, Christians, Atheists, Unitarian Universalists, Muslims, and Agnostics.
I think that this experiment says a lot about non-verbal communication. If we didn't use the words, we would actually be speaking the same spiritual language! Words get in the way and always have.
Most of the experience we have in life is actually inward and not outward. What we think and feel is often difficult to express in words, but easily defined within our thought process. When I say the word "God" or "Goddess" or "Allah," what images form within your mind, what do you feel on a physical and emotional level? That is your non-verbal image of a Creator. And, I would imagine that some images make you feel a whole lot better than others, based on your religious or non-religious views.
The image that makes us the most comfortable, lights up our life and brings us joy is the one we are going to choose and accept. And, why not? Maybe it is time to try some non-verbal spiritual communication in our world, and to stop complicating a beautiful experience with words.