We are living in a time of shifting paradigms. Many of the established religions, including Christian churches of all denominations, are currently witnessing an erosion of their memberships. Fewer people today look to the traditional religions and the churches for answers to their contemporary problems. Is this because the profoundly simple words of our great original teachers have been subsumed into an overbearing and controlling man made culture of fixed rules, regulations, rituals and dogmas? Consider the fact that Jesus Christ was never a Christian, Buddha was not a Buddhist, nor was Mohammed a Muslim. And while the traditional religions continue to lament their decline, the roots and branches of a vibrant new spirituality are forming everywhere. Another pathway is being chosen and experienced by many persons world wide.

We thought we will use this short message by Aaron to touch on this.

Q: All religious systems claim to be truth. How do we tell which is really truth?

There is a Buddhist teaching that says one must not mistake the finger pointing to the moon for the moon itself. All religious systems of thought are fingers pointing to the moon. The written dharma is not the Truth; the Bible is not the Truth; the Koran is not the Truth. To bow, chant, bind one’s head and arm, or face east in prayer are not Truth. They are all fingers pointing to the moon.

As you regard these fingers, these paths, one will speak to your heart. It will call you to focus your attention in such a way that you finally begin to look beyond the finger and clearly see that to which it points. Then you will have found truth. You will continue to have deep love and respect for the religious path that allowed you to see truth. You will have come to the place where path and destination are one.

Well, let's face it. Many New Agers and seasoned metaphysicians often feel that they are above and better than the people involved in religions. I must admit that I have been quick to judge at times myself. We often judge religions as controlling, dogmatic and that many of their practices do not make sense. The list is so long that I think somebody out there could probably write a book called Why New Agers Disagree with Religions.

Yet, have you ever wondered how a religious person might look at us?

I recently read a personal Gaia channel by Pepper Lewis where the client had asked:

What about what my sister calls the New Age? Is there any more truth in that compared to the older, more traditional religions?