1. The Quest for Salvation
The Sacred Quest, chapter 9

2. 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

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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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.