QUALITIES

Qualities are the building blocks of existence, of both the subjective and objective worlds. Even the atom is broken down into qualities of force and charge. The human body, mind and emotions all can be reduced to qualities. Becoming aware of these, helps a great deal in understanding the whole system they compose.

The qualities mankind uses to define God are simply exaggerations of the qualities humans themselves possess. God has countless qualities that humans will never see or understand, and for which we have no thoughts or names. This is why we will never completely understand God, and why God will always have an unknowable side of Itself. The reason we have trouble understanding the creation of something from nothing, is because we cannot conceive of the qualities, or true potential, of nothing. This is also the reason we have trouble understanding eternity, because everything we know is temporary.

Although certain people are more talented in ways such as speaking, the arts, organizing, teaching, business, etc., none are above or greater than another from the perspective of God the whole. They all simply supply certain qualities for this whole. Yet, it is through the differences in these qualities that people attempt to create the illusion that they are above others. This is why elitist groups are formed to dominate others. Academicians judge themselves, and all others, by the amount of their education; Christians, by the amount of their compassion and love; con-artists, by their ability to deceive; and politicians, by their ability to manipulate. Some religions go so far as to rate themselves by the power of their imagination and faith in illusion. It is through the elitist group’s belief in their superiority that they attempt to wield power in the world at the expense of others. These elitists always judge the world by the qualities they posses or worship. And try to convince others of their superiority.

The law of diversity states that variety is sacred, because it gives strength to the Whole. This law applies to all the qualities of man, as well as those of other forms of life, and even to matter itself. It is important for seekers of the truth to recognize all their personal qualities, both strengths and weaknesses, and accept them. This self love comes with self realization and must be learned in order to see the perfect position you occupy in the world. In your job, home and society, you must see this perfection within and of the whole in order to be one with it. Only then can the love and understanding for yourself spill over onto your children, friends, and even your enemies. Understanding that the Whole of God is composed of all qualities will bring spiritual liberation and tolerance into your life.

EMOTIONAL HONESTY

We all have a difficult time keeping love, or any other higher emotion, flowing in our lives. Men have an especially hard time because young boys are often encouraged to ignore their physical pains, as well as their emotional ones. They are encouraged to lie to the world and to themselves about these pains. Even if a fall hurts, they tell the world and themselves that it did not. These lies have the effect of blocking the pain and the emotion, just as a hypnotic suggestion does.

During time of war, this attitude is admirable because it develops good warriors. Warriors who no longer feel pain, and even lose their natural fear of danger, are brave in battle. This trade off, of sensitivity for strength, is sometimes worth the price, in the protection of the family, tribe, or country. However, most civilized societies in today’s world greatly need the qualities produced by emotional honesty.

Today, much of the world is experiencing a reprieve from the war like struggle for survival. In another century or so, the world may again be plunged into darkness. We must take advantage of this time given to us to develop the higher emotional and mental qualities, such as love, wisdom and tolerance. Emotional honesty is important in bringing out these subtle qualities.

E en in the area of positive thinking, there is danger of emotional dishonesty. Internal statements such as, I feel great, when one really feels unhappy is lying to oneself and should be avoided. It is much better to acknowledge the unhappiness, and say, “I am feeling better and better." This subtle change will keep you honest with yourself, and will allow the emotions to flow freely through you as they were intended. The cycles of ups and down is natural and should be accepted as is. We must embrace our whole selves and not only certain parts. Emotional honesty will aid us in this task, which is a key step for the realization of truth.

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT MYSELF

My name is Ron Chrislock. I was born Ronald Clayton Anderson in the year of the bomb, 1945. I changed my name to my Great Grandfather's name when I started writing and performing music in 1969. I actually learned the guitar in 1963 while working at the Yellowstone Park Lodge. I bought a guitar there from a friend from Georgia, and would practice by the river between shifts as a bus boy. I was 18 years old.

My music and poetry are mostly serious. Songs of the environment, war, and mystical experiences are what I write best. I was drafted into the army in 1967 and when I got to Baumholder, Germany I entered a talent show and won a trip to Garmish for the weekend by singing my song, A King's Chess Game.

A King's Chess Game
Refrain:
G D C C (b) D C D
Heaven help the ruler who’s to blame
G D C C (b) D C D
For losin’ another pawn in the king’s chess game

D C C (b) C(a#)
Two knights charged with flashing steel
D C D
Outside a castle tower
D C C (b) C (a#)
Death glanced off the shield of one
D C D
But it claimed the other

Refrain:
D C C (b) C (a#)
The blue coat soldier shed a tear
D C D
When his gray coat brother fell
D C C (b) C (a#)
His death like moan of pain and fear
D C D
Was his final rebel yell

Refrain:
D C C (b) C (a#)
The lifeless body of a sailin’ man
D C D
Lays cold upon the shore
D C C (b) C (a#)
A jungle vine grows through the chest
D C D
Of a soldier killed at war

Refrain:

I also got the chance to join a group of soldier musicians and we were sent around Germany playing our music at the soldier's clubs. One of the high points of the tour was playing for the local television station in Berlin. I would play my guitar and sing my protest songs at many of the bases and our last gig was for the officer's club at our home base. After I sang my songs the whole room was quiet and not an officer would look at me. I got orders to report to Viet Nam the next week despite having only 8 months to go in the service.

I went on leave and decided I would not be part of a war that didn't seem to me to be in defense of our country. I went AWOL for a few weeks, but was caught in Newport Beach, California sleeping on the golf course. I was sent to the Special Processing Detachment in Fort Ord, California. I told the officer in charge at Fort Ord that I wouldn't go to Viet Nam. The officer said he would force me to get on the plane, but after looking at the clock on the wall, said it was too late and I would have to go in the morning. He told me to sleep in the barracks next door until morning. I immediately walked to the post bus station about a mile away and bought a ticket for as far away as I could with the $60 I had on me. I got as far as Bismarck, North Dakota and hitch hiked home to Minnesota to spend a month. My father had me talk to a lawyer friend of his to try to talk me into going to Viet Nam. I told the Lawyer that I was not a pacifist and would kill anyone who tried to harm my family. I would also kill to repel invaders or attackers of my country, but I would not kill anyone fighting a civil war that was not a threat to me or my county.

After spending a month in a small apartment in Fargo, North Dakota, I flew back to Monterey and turned myself into the Special Processing Detachment. This time I was put to work while awaiting my court martial, which took several months. I received a month in the stockade and orders to finish my time in service at Fort Irwin near Barstow, California. I was allowed to work at a sports car garage fixing sports cars in the town of Barstow for the months remaining since I had very little in the way of equipment and uniforms and a big inspection was coming up.

During my time in the Monterey area while awaiting court martial I studied eastern religions and joined a group called Eckankar. I wrote songs for the group and performed them at many functions across the country. I recorded two record albums for the group during this time. Color Me a Thousand Rainbows, in 1971 and Ode to a Warrior, in 1979.

My wife, at the time, Melodie was also a member of Eckankar during this time and we had a beautiful baby boy named Gabriel in 1970 who now is married and has two children, Colin and Nola. They live in Los Angeles, California and he works in the music and movie business. One of my fondest memories is delivering Gabriel in the attic apartment we rented in Palo Alto, California. I read a midwife book to prepare for the event. Melodie asked me to do the deed as she had negative feeling about giving birth in a hospital. The cord was wrapped around Gabriel's neck, but after unwrapping it, the birth went fine. I almost dropped him on the last push, however. I managed to catch him despite his slippery condition.

I married again in 1982 to Pamela and we had a wonderful baby girl named Nicole in 1988. Nicole is a senior in college studying Biology. I started writing philosophy in 1988 when I dropped out of Eckankar. My beliefs had evolved to the point that I could no longer be called an Eckist. I called and still call myself a Wholist. Wholism is my personal religion. It has only one member, myself, and I don't proselytize it. I do however share my insights. I wrote a book of Philosophy in 1988 entitled, Illusion to Enlightenment. I am sharing this book with anyone who wishes to read it on this blog.