divine purpose – Morgan O. Smith

Beyond Time and Space

The idea of God having a purpose evokes a curious paradox. Purpose, as we understand it, requires time. There’s a beginning, an intention, and an outcome. Yet, God exists beyond time and space, transcending all dimensions that human minds perceive. How, then, can the ultimate transcendence have a purpose when both purpose and fulfillment rely on the passage of time?

God, in the most absolute sense, is timeless. Purpose implies movement from one state to another, a process that cannot apply to something that exists beyond time. God, as the eternal presence, neither moves nor changes. Yet, this same timeless God includes time and space as aspects of reality. Everything exists within God, and time is simply one of the infinite expressions of that existence.

From our limited perspective within time and space, purpose appears necessary and real. The flow of cause and effect shapes our understanding of meaning. Thus, we perceive God as having a purpose, as if the universe itself was an unfolding plan. But this perception only holds because we exist within the constraints of time. In truth, God’s purpose is as illusory as time itself—a projection of human understanding onto a reality that transcends all conceptual boundaries.

God, being everything, includes the illusion of purpose, yet remains untouched by it. In this sense, what we view as God’s purpose is simply an expression of the unfolding of existence within the framework of time. This divine play, known as *lila* in some traditions, is neither driven by need nor aimed at fulfillment. It is simply the unfolding of what is, without beginning or end.

The purpose we attribute to God is an attempt to understand the unfathomable. But ultimately, God’s true nature exists beyond purpose, beyond time, beyond any duality that our minds attempt to impose. To realize this is to recognize that the essence of existence is purposeless in the most profound sense—not in a nihilistic way, but as a reflection of absolute freedom, where nothing needs to be done because all is already complete.

Morgan O. Smith

Yinnergy Meditation, Spiritual Life Coaching & My Book, Bodhi in the Brain…Available Now!

https://linktr.ee/morganosmith

Deciphering the Divine Blueprint of Creation

Introduction:

In the quiet moments when our minds wander into the realm of the cosmic, we may find ourselves pondering a question that has beguiled philosophers and theologians for centuries: Why did God manifest everything into being? What could be the purpose behind the sprawling tapestry of stars, planets, and life? My answer is that God created everything to become, and to experience the total opposite of itself. However, like threads in a tapestry, there are numerous perspectives woven into this enigmatic question. Let’s unravel a few.

1. **The Divine Artist: Self-Expression and Creativity**

Imagine an artist, brush in hand, dipping into an infinite palette. Some believe that God, the Divine Artist, created the universe as an ongoing expression of self-expression and creativity. Here, the universe is a canvas and God’s creations are brushstrokes – intricate, boundless, and ever-evolving.

2. **Lila: The Cosmic Dance of Divine Play**

Within Hinduism, creation is seen as ‘Lila’ or divine play. Picture God as a dancer, whose movements give birth to galaxies and life. These movements are not driven by need or desire but are spontaneous expressions of joy. Lila suggests that the universe is God’s dance floor, where the Divine revels in the ecstasy of creation.

3. **Harbor of Love: Creation for Relationship**

What if the universe is a love letter? In Christianity and other religious traditions, it is suggested that God created the cosmos and sentient beings for the purpose of relationship and love. The creation is God’s way of extending an invitation to share in divine love and companionship.

4. **Divine Reflection: Creation as Self-Discovery**

Ponder a God yearning for self-knowledge. By manifesting a multitude of beings, each with unique experiences and perspectives, God gazes into a living, cosmic mirror. This mirror reflects different facets of the Divine, allowing God to explore and understand its own infinite nature.

5. **Kabbalah’s Divine Constriction: Creating Space for Others**

Envision a sea retracting to form a shore. Kabbalistic tradition posits that God underwent a self-constriction, known as Tzimtzum, to create space for an independent reality. This act of withdrawal was one of ultimate generosity, allowing for free will and a two-way relationship between creation and the Divine.

6. **The Soul’s Crucible: Testing and Spiritual Growth**

Is the universe a crucible for refining souls? Some belief systems suggest that God created the universe as a testing ground. Through challenges and experiences, souls are purified, tempered, and progress along a spiritual path.

7. **A Purposeless Creation: Philosophical Nihilism**

Not all threads are woven with intention. Some philosophical perspectives maintain that creation has no purpose. It posits that existence is simply a natural by-product of God’s existence and devoid of any inherent meaning.

8. **Pantheism: The Universe as God’s Identity**

Picture a universe where every atom is a fragment of divinity. Pantheism posits that God and the universe are identical. Nature is not a separate creation but a part of the Divine. Through the vastness of space, we witness the body of God.

Conclusion:

As we stand before this intricate tapestry of creation, it becomes clear that the question of why God manifested the universe is as multifaceted as the cosmos itself. Each thread—whether woven with intention, love, curiosity, or even ambiguity—adds depth to this cosmic masterpiece. In examining these threads, we engage not just with the mysteries of creation, but with the essence of our own search for meaning and connection in an unfathomably vast universe.