為了讓我們更完整地了解「生命」的本質與天性,您可以試著把以下這篇裡的「生命」換成「神」或「一切萬有」,列如這兩段:
「神」的天性是去表達祂自己。這就是神所做的。祂無法不這麼做,否則祂就不是神了。
在自我表達的過程裡,「一切萬有」名副其實地「向外推出」了自己。也就是說,祂將自己推到了自己的外面,誕生了自己,作為自己的一個面向,以便祂能在自己的體驗中認識自己。
聽神談【關於「生命」的天性】
「生命」的天性是去表達它自己。這就是生命所做的。
它無法不這麼做,否則它就不是生命了。
現在把「生命」這個詞換掉,要記得「生命」也可以稱作「神」,「一切萬有」,「本源」,「原力」,或隨便你喜歡叫什麼。無論你用的是什麼詞,你所說的都是「生命」。
在自我表達的過程裡,「生命」名副其實地「向外推出」(express,「表達」,拆開ex和press即「向外推出」之意)了自己。也就是說,它將自己推到了自己的外面,誕生了自己,作為自己的一個面向,以便它能在自己的體驗中認識自己。
一個思維一個思維,一個概念一個概念地領會以下這段話:
1. 在自我表達的過程中,生命名副其實的「向外推出」了它自己。
(In the process of Self expression, Life quite literally 「expressed」 itself.)
2.「表達」意味著「推出」。生命將自己推出自己之外。
(Life pushes Itself out from Itself.)
3. 在某種意義上,它誕生了自己,作為自己的一個面向。
(It give birth TO Itself as an aspect OF Itself.)
4. 它這麼做是為了在自己的體驗中認識自己。
(It does this so that it might Know Itself in Its Own Experience.)
這就是生命再次出生(be born again, 重生)的真正含義。
摘自《與神談生死》第31章
It is the nature of Life to express itself. That is what Life does. It cannot not do this, or it would not be.
Now change the word "life" in the above sentence. Notice that "life" can also be called "God," That Which Is, "the Essence," "the Energy," or whatever else you wish to call it. No matter what word you use, you are still talking about Life.
In the process of self expression, Life quite literally "expresses" Itself. That is, It pushes Itself out FROM Itself, giving birth to Itself as an aspect OF Itself, that it might Know Itself in Its Own Experience.
Consider it thought by thought, concept by concept:
1. In the process of Self expression, Life quite literally "expresses" Itself.
2. To "express" means to "push out." Life pushes Itself out from Itself.
3. In a sense, it gives birth TO Itself as an aspect OF Itself.
4. It does this so that it might Know Itself in Its Own Experience.
That is what it really means to be born again.