What is the nature of the Divine...?

I intend for us to discuss any & every aspect of the Divine within this thread, such as (just to scratch the surface):

I'm going to answer all of these questions from my personal beliefs. However, I have total respect for anyone who believes something else, and I really incline to the view that there is no "one truth." So even though my answers will be particularist, I don't think people who believe otherwise are "wrong." :)

Is there just one God, or many?

There is one G-d. One of the most beautiful and well known prayers in Judaism is the Shema prayer (it is said in all services, but it is also traditionally the final words spoken by a dying Jew, and was sung in the gas chambers of Aushwitz ... it has powerful emotional significance to Jews): "Shema Yisrael Adonai Eloheinu Adonai Echod." "Hear, O Israel, the Lord your G-d, to Lord is One."

[quote]What is the closeness of God to us humans

Following Elen's lead, more answers below:

It is impossible to know EVERYTHING about Krishna, because He is beyond comprehension.
...
But that does not stop us from having a Personal relationship with Him.

This got me thinking ... of course one can have a personal relationship with a G-d who is not entirely knowable. Who knows everything about his or her friends and relatives? And isn't that one of the important things in a relationship -- not being able to predict/know exactly everything about the other person? Isn't the point of a relationship to get to know the other person? In other words, the relationship is the process.

If G-d were completely knowable, there would be no reason to have a relationship with Him. Does this make sense? I'm having a moment, but I'm not sure that I know how to communicate it.

[quote=Elen0Sila]... of course one can have a personal relationship with a G-d who is not entirely knowable.

"Just out of curiosity: What, then, does it mean for a human to

Originally Posted by DASA

Who wants to stay in this world of suffering? It's like wanting to stay as a lonely beggar on the street, rather than return to your father's house where a loving home and a great fortune awaits you.

Any thoughts as to why God might want (dare I say need) us humans to under-go that experience of

"Any thoughts as to why God might want (dare I say need) us humans to under-go that experience of

Originally Posted by DASA

We need Krishna. He does not need us.

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Originally Posted by DASA

We need Krishna. He does not need us. He just loves us so much, that is His nature, but He does not want to force us to love Him. He gives choice. That's love.

Somehow that doesn't fit in with the image of God that I was given over the years - this God who says "love me before you die, or you go to eternal damnation"......................

That's why I like this Forum!

Spacey... I must watch those Matrix films.... are they good?!?!