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I am often asked, “do you believe in God.”  I respond:

I believe in a divine power that is greater than myself, whether his, her, or its name is “God,” “Jehova,” “Allah,” “Buddha,” etc., matters not to me.

I believe that I know that I do not know, but my human senses create a perception, a sensation, based upon my history of experiences.

I believe I am more than this shell of a body, that an essence exists within, a spirit, a soul, an energy that is more than this mortal mind can comprehend.

I believe that it is pretentious of me to think that the higher power only speaks English, only communicates with a certain sect of the human race, walks with two legs, or sits on a throne with a scepter in one hand, rendering punishment, or is the catalyst for the wins and losses of football games, or pulls the strings allowing John Doe to hit the big lottery.

“EVERYTHING is sacred from the largest mountain to the smallest plant and animal. A lesson can be found in all things and experiences and everything has a purpose. To sum up Native Spirituality; it is about HONOR, LOVE, and RESPECT. Not only do we love, honor, and respect our Creator and our Mother Earth, but also every living thing. It is about being in touch with ourselves and everything around us. It is about knowing and understanding that we are part of everything, and everything is a part of us. We are all One. Native American isnt blood; it is what is in the heart. The love for the land. The respect for it, those who inhabit it; and the respect and acknowledgement of the spirits and the elders. That is what it is to be indian.” (White Feather, Navajo Medicine Man)

I believe it is arrogant of me to think the cultures and traditions I was born into and raised with is superior to all other cultures, races, religions, traditions, and philosophies.

I believe it is egotistical of me to declare this planet, in and of itself, though just an ort smaller than a grain of sand in the endless vastness of the unknown Universe, holds preference to all the known and unknown planets and galaxies in the universe.

I believe in and look for the common string in all people, all religions, all philosophies, all sciences.

I believe in possibilities.

I believe in the freedom of each person to hold their own beliefs, travel their own life journey, make their own discoveries, while respecting the rights and freedom of others.

I believe in the reasoning of many teachings of many people, from the most notorious to the lowest of all classes, respecting the wisdom in all.

Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it.” (Buddha)

I believe in you.

I believe in me.

I believe in Love.

I believe in existence.

I believe in peace.

A human being is part of the whole called by us universe, a part limited in time and space. We experience ourselves, our thoughts and feelings as something separate from the rest. A kind of optical delusion of consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from the prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty. The true value of a human being is determined by the measure and the sense in which they have obtained liberation from the self. We shall require a substantially new manner of thinking if humanity is to survive. (Albert Einstein, 1954)

I believe everything is possible and nothing is certain.

I believe.