The Quest for Salvation The Sacred Quest, chapter 9

Why “salvation”? What is it? Could be religious or non-religious Tied to notion of sacred reality This informs sense of “how things are” vs. “how things should be” (ordinary experience vs. sacred reality) Could be religious or non-religious Latin root: Salvus, to be well (“Salve!”) Alternative: liberation In a sense, ultimate purpose of religion

Different types of salvation Who? Individual Group Where? This world Other world

Types of Salvation, cont. How? Truth (knowledge of sacred reality) Goodness (action in harmony with the sacred) Beauty (participation in sacred beauty) Gift (given by sacred) Submission to/Trust in the sacred

Patterns Individual This Worldly (within time) Salvation Search for Meaning (make a difference in the world) Desire to be Remembered (glory, fame, children, legacy) Completion (fulfillment of one’s potential, harmony with the Tao, or release from false self) Individual Other Worldly (beyond time) Joining the Spirit World Release from Matter or Cycle of Death and Rebirth Judgment—good are rewarded; evil are punished

Patterns, cont. Group This Worldly (within time) Salvation through: Participation in the continuing life of a people Maintaining a tradition or way of life of a people The kingdom of God transforming this world (cf. Marxism) Group Other Worldly (beyond time) Salvation Incorporation into an eternal community of the sacred (kingdom of God) Incorporation into an eternal community of the spirit world Combinations of the above e.g., a community of the sacred that is both this worldly and other worldly.