Sine Qua Non
noun: an essential condition; a thing that is absolutely necessary: “grammar and usage are the sine qua non of language teaching and learning”
1. Foundation
A properly built foundation is critical to the safety, stability and longevity of the building. An improperly built foundation will result in the structure collapsing. It’s not a question of “if”, but only when. 75% (minimum) of our time should be spent building a proper foundation. The super structure will then go up quickly and easily and endure through time. A proper foundation is everything.
2. Correct View of God
Once we have a properly built foundation, it’s time to start building the skeleton which will give our structure its strength and shape. Even if the foundation is proper but the skeleton is faulty, the structure can still fail. Our view of God is that skeleton and will inform everything we do in our spiritual life.
3. The Internal Conflict
Once we build our foundation and put up the skeleton, only now can we begin to design the internal space. Unfortunately this will involve internal conflict. There’s no way around this. It’s something we all must go through. There is an answer and a way through.
4 & 5. Search for Wisdom & Identity, Belonging
4. Search for Wisdom. The internal conflict we experience will result in a desire for external relief. We search for wisdom. We search for examples to follow. We search. But for what? From where does wisdom, and relief come? It’s not a question of “if” something will be god but rather what will be god, if God is not?
5. Identity, Relationship, Belonging. Worldwide there is an identity crisis. Mankind has lost the connection to its source of identity. As a direct result things are becoming increasingly disoriented and unstable. A strong sense of identity and our origin is critical to our spiritual, mental and emotional health. Family and relationships must be founded on a strong sense of identity and belonging. We must know whose we are so we can know who we are.