Inner Peace: Spiritual fervor

Image by Vijay Hu from Pixabay.
July 18, 2024

The idea that certain places can bring us closer to God conflicts with the idea of omnipresence

By Jim Hatton

National Geographic recently aired a piece on their video channel about sacred artifacts with a particular focus on the Crown of Thorns — allegedly worn by Jeshua ben Joseph while carrying his crucifixion cross. This “crown” was forced on him as a symbol of disgrace by the Romans. Since then, Christians have turned it into a symbol of their hope and longing to be closer to God. The Crown of Thorns is housed and protected at the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.

Jim Hatton
Jim Hatton

Another such sacred symbol is the Burning Bush encountered by Moses. This bush is supposedly still growing at St. Catherine’s Monastery at the base of Mt. Sinai in Egypt. Jews and Christians alike revere this bush as a sacred symbol of God.

And then there is the Muslim Kaaba, a stone building housed inside the Great Mosque in Mecca, the final destination in the Hajj — the Muslim pilgrimage undertaken by hundreds of thousands of worshipers to show their devotion to Allah.

For those of us who have been able to visit such places, there seems to be a heightened energy emanating from these sacred artifacts or locales. They can definitely be inspirational. Some pilgrims even experience healings and spiritual awakenings — as evidenced by the crutches that are left hanging on the walls of the grotto of Lourdes in France.

The fervor to be “closer to God” can be a very strong energy, driving many to go to great lengths in terms of travel and personal sacrifice to show signs of their devotion. We have to question whether it is possible that the spiritual atmosphere surrounding these artifacts and locales is created by the fervent religious intensity of the visiting pilgrims who believe that they will be closer to their most important deity if they are in close proximity to these sacred artifacts or places.

The belief that the divine can be found in certain geographical locations actually goes against an important tenet of most major religions and traditions: Omnipresence. Those who believe in the principle of Omnipresence would maintain that God is everywhere, all the time. Yet, if one is looking for God in a certain place, it must mean that God is not in the place where the search is starting! It is such a saddening thought that God is only in certain places.

In Eastern religions, in Sufism, in the Kabbalah and other mystical traditions, it is believed that God created us by becoming us. This is known as “Emanation.” It means that one does not have to travel to a particular place, at a particular time, to find or to be closer to God. This is good news! All one has to do is simply turn within. Turning within in meditation and listening means going to that inner realm identified by Joel Goldsmith in his book “Beyond Words and Thoughts.” It has also been termed the Secret Place of the Most High.

And as the Sufi poet Rumi expressed it so eloquently in verse:

Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing,

there is a field. I’ll meet you there.”

Blessings on your journey.

Jim Hatton is an author, spiritual teacher and speaker. He makes his home in the Rogue Valley, Southern Oregon. Contact him at [email protected].

Want to contribute? Send 600- to 700-word articles on all aspects of inner peace to Richard Carey ([email protected]).

Picture of Jim

Jim

Related Posts...

one planet Inner Peace

Inner Peace: Departing thoughts

Richard Carey: Now, with some sadness, I’ve decided that it’s time for me to move on. In my own pursuit of inner peace, I’ve got a few bucket list items to take care of, and I’m not getting any younger.

Read More »

Inner Peace: The wave’s swell

Moshe Ross: The wave’s swell, the trough as well as the crest of the wave, passes from water to water; we each feel each. Thus a suggestion can drag us down or lift us up, although the upliftment really lies within our own divine self, ready to break through.

Read More »

Our Sponsors

Klamath Bird Observatory Experience the wonders of Souteast Brazil Ashland Oregon
Conscious Design Build Ashland Oregon
Pronto Printing Ashland Medford Southern Oregon

Latest posts

Obituary: David Brian Shaw

Obituary: David Shaw, 78, former executive director of the Peter Britt Festivals in Jacksonville, founder of Artbeat Inc., and facilitator of nonprofit Mt. Ashland Ski Area founding, died Feb. 1, 2025.

Read More >

Stiff winds likely followed by rain showers over coming days

Ashland’s hiatus of dry days ends with five straight days with rain showers in the forecast, according to a National Weather Service forecast as of Wednesday evening. Showers are expected during the day Thursday and Friday, in the evening Saturday, night and day Sunday and during Monday’s Presidents Day holiday day.

Read More >

Are you gun and gun law savvy? Find out March 4

“Be Gun Smart… Whether or Not You Own a Firearm” is a free public program set for 4 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 4, in the Gresham Room at the Ashland Public Library, 410 Siskiyou Blvd. The speakers will be Ashland Police Chief Tighe O’Meara and Jackson County Sheriff Nate Sickler. 

Read More >

Our Sponsors

Ashland Parks and Recreation Ashland Oregon
City of Ashland Public Notice Ashland Oregon
Ashland.news House Ad

Explore More...

The city of Ashland’s police volunteer program, which had around 30 volunteers before the COVID pandemic, now has only around 10. Volunteers help put extra eyes on patrol areas such as Lithia Park and the bike path and help manage special events such as parades.
Oregon could have far fewer firefighters ready to battle blazes on federal lands next fire season — and may do less advance work aimed at mitigating the risk of large fires — due to the Trump administration’s hiring freeze and funding cuts, according to U.S. lawmakers.
“Be Gun Smart… Whether or Not You Own a Firearm” is a free public program set for 4 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 4, in the Gresham Room at the Ashland Public Library, 410 Siskiyou Blvd. The speakers will be Ashland Police Chief Tighe O’Meara and Jackson County Sheriff Nate Sickler. 
The Ashland Community Emergency Response Team will offer training on how to offer basic medical aid, including administering naloxone in case of opioid overdoses, on Wednesday evening, Feb. 12. The training is free and open to the public starting at 6 p.m. at Ashland Fire Station No. 1 at 455 Siskiyou Blvd.
City Corner: The 2024 city of Ashland list of accomplishments highlights numerous advancements and initiatives across various departments. Following is a summary of the key achievements, including completion of the wastewater treatment plant outfall relocation and UV system upgrades.
ashland.news logo

Subscribe to the newsletter and get local news sent directly to your inbox.

(It’s free)

Don't Miss Our Top Stories

Get our newsletter delivered to your inbox three times a week.
It’s FREE and you can cancel anytime.