The Quest for The Quest for SalvationSalvation

The Sacred Quest,The Sacred Quest, chapter 9 chapter 9

Why “salvation”?Why “salvation”?

What is it?What is it? Tied to notion of sacred realityTied to notion of sacred reality This informs sense of “how things are” vs. This informs sense of “how things are” vs.

“how things should be” (ordinary “how things should be” (ordinary experience vs. sacred reality)experience vs. sacred reality)

Could be religious or non-religiousCould be religious or non-religious Latin root: Latin root: SalvusSalvus, to be well , to be well (“Salve!”)(“Salve!”)

Alternative: liberationAlternative: liberation In a sense, ultimate purpose of religionIn a sense, ultimate purpose of religion

Different types of Different types of salvationsalvation

Who?Who? IndividualIndividual GroupGroup

Where?Where? This worldThis world Other worldOther world

Types of Salvation, cont.Types of Salvation, cont.

How?How? Truth (knowledge of sacred reality)Truth (knowledge of sacred reality) Goodness (action in harmony with the Goodness (action in harmony with the

sacred)sacred) Beauty (participation in sacred beauty)Beauty (participation in sacred beauty) Gift (given by sacred)Gift (given by sacred) Submission to/Trust in the sacredSubmission to/Trust in the sacred

PatternsPatterns Individual This Worldly (within time) SalvationIndividual This Worldly (within time) Salvation

Search for Meaning (make a difference in the world)Search for Meaning (make a difference in the world) Desire to be Remembered (glory, fame, children, Desire to be Remembered (glory, fame, children,

legacy)legacy) Completion (fulfillment of one’s potential, harmony Completion (fulfillment of one’s potential, harmony

with the Tao, or release from false self)with the Tao, or release from false self) Individual Other Worldly (beyond time)Individual Other Worldly (beyond time)

Joining the Spirit WorldJoining the Spirit World Release from Matter or Cycle of Death and RebirthRelease from Matter or Cycle of Death and Rebirth Judgment—good are rewarded; evil are punishedJudgment—good are rewarded; evil are punished

Patterns, cont.Patterns, cont. Group This Worldly (within time) Salvation Group This Worldly (within time) Salvation

through:through: Participation in the continuing life of a people Participation in the continuing life of a people Maintaining a tradition or way of life of a peopleMaintaining a tradition or way of life of a people The kingdom of God transforming this world (cf. The kingdom of God transforming this world (cf.

Marxism)Marxism) Group Other Worldly (beyond time) SalvationGroup Other Worldly (beyond time) Salvation

Incorporation into an eternal community of the Incorporation into an eternal community of the sacred (kingdom of God)sacred (kingdom of God)

Incorporation into an eternal community of the Incorporation into an eternal community of the spirit worldspirit world

Combinations of the aboveCombinations of the above e.g., a community of the sacred that is e.g., a community of the sacred that is bothboth this this

worldly and other worldly.worldly and other worldly.