(Just another thing we talked about in Istanbul.)

Integral loves perspectives. So let’s look at God from three places:

I - This is the perspective of Buddhism. I can realize my own Buddha-nature. I am all. I am God. Nice!

You - Most popular religions take this perspective: Christianity, Islam, Judaism, etc. I can pray to God and have a relationship with him (or her). I can know God and connect with him. God loves me and I love God.

It - Taoism and nature mysticism take this perspective. The Tao, the Way, the Universe is divine. When you see the Infinite in a beautiful sunset or the night sky, you are taking this perspective.

Most people naturally gravitate toward one of these perspectives. All three are valid paths, but its important to realize that there are other dimensions to the divine. Infinity is multi-faceted, to say the least.

Learning about the three faces of God was very helpful for me. I have always leaned toward the third-person perspective, which is woefully underrepresented in Western culture. Consequently, I’ve never been able to get into mainstream religion and thought I was an atheist for a long time. Now I can see that my perspective is just another way of looking at God and it is just as valid as the first and second-person perspectives. Hooray!