Unification Theory

Saturday March 8th-- First official day of break in Boston

So I had planned to go to a routine Power Shift organizational meeting from 10-6 on Saturday, but it was not to be. After classes on Friday I was sitting on a bench thinking back about the semester and planning ahead, eating a burrito and feeding the birds on a fine spring day. Then a guy comes over and introduces himself, wondering if he could speak with me about the meaning of life and God and this new religion that has changed his life. Well, sure, have a seat buddy I've been thinking about the same things recently! We proceeded to have a half an hour discussion about life, God, the church, and meaning. He and a few other students are in Boston working as missionaries for the Unificiation Church, and he invites me to their meeting on Saturday.

As it turns out, the Unification Church in Boston does not have a very large following. As I'm led through the Commons to an old apartment building near the State House, my guide Tim is talking about how he and 3 other guys from all over the world have been going across the country for this idea and preaching to anyone who they could find. "My work with the church has been the best year of my life," he says. (Is this some cult following looking for recruits?) I get there and it turns out to be 5 people total, counting another BU student, in an old victorian-era nondenominational church and living building. We sit down for a presentation, have lunch and an entire afternoon of this guy talking.

It's pretty interesting, a religion based on the unification of Christianity that attempts to define one spiritual truth. It also definitely takes a lot from the Zen/Buddhist tradition of unity with surroundings and strive for happiness. From their website: "To move beyond the present impasse, religion and science must be brought into harmony by a higher understanding of truth, one which interprets the spiritual and material aspects oflife within one consistent framework." I'll try to do it justice:

Nature is about duality. Each animal has an internal nature and external form, yin and yang, male and female. Internal nature guides the actions of all animals, plants, down to the atomic particles they are made of. External form is the physical embodiment of each being, carries out the desires of instinct or mind. God is the artist (form) and purpose (spirit) behind all of physical creation that we encounter. By looking at the wonder of creation, we can begin to see the shadow of God who made it... He is like the internal nature to the physical reality we see, universal prime energy. Original nature, original form.

In continuing with the idea of duality, (which you really can see everywhere) the Principle defines the power of relationships. Subject/object relationships are most beautiful in the world: man and woman, parent and kid, man and dog, man and grass, painter and painting, god and creation, god and us. Subject gains happiness from object's happiness, learning, involvement. If internal nature (mind) and external form (body) are put into this framework, completely working together would be self-perfection and true happiness.

So then we as humans are special in that we are made in God's image-- "very good"-- and are commanded to "be fruitful, multiply and have dominion." We have souls that can understand God's desires, and therefore the responsibility to oversee creation. In the object position of God's will, selfless connection with Him and the world around us benefits us, creation, and God.

Still with me? Pretty interesting, no? I plan to do some reading about it, as it's something that has stuck with me. Religion is important, as it gives a good framework for thinking about the world. I've been searching on my own, but haven't found any one solution yet. Maybe this is my calling... let me know what you think!

-Eddie