AboutMichael Clark, Ph.D. Expertise I’d prefer to answer questions for those who feel they don't easily fit into any of the existing methods, molds or patterns usually associated with Christian mysticism.
I'm aware of and may comment on historical approaches. But in today's society many feel the need for new ways of connecting with the Holy Spirit. Ways that are in sync and integrated with the 21st century.
Along these lines, I'll try to help with the interface of mysticism, psychology, society and organized religion (especially Catholicism).
Experience I've explored several different Christian denominations and am interested in their respective strengths and weaknesses. I've also been studying connections among Christians, other religions and beliefs in "the beyond" at my educational website earthpages.org and at my blog michaelwclark.com.
Publications Print Media:
My table from "Religions and Cults" at earthpages.org is reproduced with permission in L. Lindsey, S. Beach and B. Ravelli, Core Concepts in Sociology, 2nd ed., p. 157
World Wide Web:
My online article "Letter to God" coauthored with Buddhist monk, E. Raymond Rock, appears on several different spirituality-based websites, including http://tinyurl.com/db7a5o
I've interviewed, as a Christian, a self-proclaimed mystic: http://tinyurl.com/cawykr
My articles appeared at the former New View magazine nuvunow.ca and are published at earthpages.org.
Education/Credentials Ph.D. in Religious Studies M.A. in Comparative Religion B.A. Hon. in Psychology/Sociology For details, please see my CV and letters of recommendation
Question Hi there! I've been having extensive confusion as to where I belong, if anywhere.
I grew up in a Mennonite family, and gained many of my values there. For a time I abandoned my faith and took up the practice of Wicca. A few years later I returned to God, as it seemed quite obvious to me that we could not exist without him. Lately I've been reading quite heavily into new age quantum physics, law of attraction, and that whole idea.
Through all of this I have found that I can't explain our existence without God, love is to me a manifestation of God (and what he is, and what we are meant to be), "magic" does exist, and the law of attraction does work.
I could go on for hours about how biblical passages seem to explain these fascinating new scientific ideas we are only discovering now. It's all very fascinating and also confusing.
The closest belief system to what I think (that I have found) seems to be Panentheism. Still there is no church for the Panentheist. Barely any material is available online and I have no peer group! Even still it does not truly cover what I am seeing to be truth. Where can I find a communal place? And furthermore I am sometimes confused as to how this all actually does fit in with the bible. I even worry that I have entirely the wrong idea and I'm simply spewing blasphemy all the time.
Where do I fit in?
Is it reasonable to believe that God and science can and do coexist and explain one another?
Answer God knows you're seeking and I really believe that God will hook you up with the right people at the right time. It might be a bit unconventional if you are truly using your intellect to try to seek out the truth.
Having said that, many different religions and people embrace the panentheistic approach. Just take a look at this Wiki entry: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panentheism
If none of these pathways are close enough to your own thoughts and observations, you might consider a more creative approach to find a solution.
Often great, innovative people have to create a new reality for themselves because the existing structures just don't cut it for them. Two examples of this would be Sigmund Freud and Albert Einstein. Both created something of a paradigm shift. That's what human evolution is all about. Seeing things in new ways while not necessarily rejecting everything from past human traditions.
My advice is to keep praying, searching and developing your relationship with God. All of your other relationships and activities, in my opinion, should come out of that (while keeping God at the center). Ask for guidance. It may not come the way you want. And it might not happen overnight. But if you're humble and sincere, which you seem to be, I believe you'll get it.
