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Introduction: Blind Date

Most of us don't know where to start with God. We've got a lot of excess baggage and expectations and "God As Told to Us By" and it can feel an awful lot like a Blind Date.

The trick with God -- just like with Blind Dates -- is to suit up and show up. Who knows? God might turn out to be tall and handsome. Or blond and curvy. Someone you might really like. Somebody you can actually talk to and go salsa dancing with. Somebody who gets your jokes and likes the same terrible Japanese monster movies that you do.

The point is that until you try to meet God, you aren't going to know. If your earphones are unspooling the "Here's what God is like" tapes of everybody else, the Spiritual Big Cheeses, you might miss God disguised as the nice trash man who takes your extra load of stuff without making you phone in to bureaucracy hell for another truck and driver. You might miss God as the red-winged blackbird or the shiny river stone. You might miss God, period.

Much of what you learn about God in this country runs along the lines of "God is no laughing matter." I'm not so sure about that. I think God might have a pretty good sense of humor. Look at octopuses, for example. And baboons, with those hilarious bright red asses. Yes, sometimes I think we are the ones who are grim and God is just pacing around cloud nine, waiting for us to lighten up a little. It's possible.

Experiment:

The world of Spirit is open to all who seek it. "My Father's house has many mansions," taught Christ. Yet, many of us remain locked in the room of our childhood. As adults, we may be stifled by our unconscious acceptance of a God concept we have long since outgrown. The following questions are aimed at clarifying God as you understand God.

1. What was your childhood religion, if any?
2. What was the spiritual atmosphere in your home?
3. What did your mother teach you about God?
4. What did your father teach you about God?
5. Describe your childhood God using at least ten adjectives.
6. Is this still the God you believe in?
7. What is your current concept of God?
8. Describe your ideal God concept using at least twenty adjectives.
9. Write a prayer.
10. Set aside a half hour. Take yourself out of the house. Do something small and festive. Walk, window-shop, enjoy a cappuccino. Sit on a park bench. Be alert to encounter God in any form. This is your blind date.