It used to be that people who were raised in religion felt they needed to worship God. If they did not worship, then that would add to their list of sins. These sins would eventually catch up to them. Enough sins accumulated and unpardoned and they would be sent to hell at their death.
Then the developed world began to move away from religion. The societies of the richest nations became more and more secular. Fewer and fewer people went to their places of worship on the appointed day. This was especially true in countries where there was a state religion.
In countries with state religions, the clergy are usually paid by the state. This puts an onus on the state of mind with which the people look at their clergy. In other words, their clergy are paid by the state, how sincere can they be?
And what preachments the clergy proposed where suspect as well. Under such suspicions and the secularization of society, people drifted away from worship. However, often in people's minds there lingered the idea that God was not being worshiped properly or enough.
Those who still remembered what they had been brought up in, felt themselves ill-at-ease because they did not worship. This ill-ease caused various levels of anxiety. This anxiety decreased their happiness.
But God does not need to be worshiped. Worship pays attention to God. God does not need the attention. First, because there is no physical being named God. What many name God is the Vast Consciousness that is the Universe. Pure Consciousness.
As such this Vast Consciousness is self-contained. It needs nothing. It is, already, everything. If the Vast Consciousness is everything, has everything, then It does not need worship. It does not need attention for attention's sake.
St. Augustine said, "The worship of God is the life well lived." In a life well lived you will find happiness. Happiness will help lead you to life well lived.
Here is where it gets a little tricky. You have to shift gears. Move off center just a bit. Worship is paying devoted attention to something. God does not need your whining attention. But the Vast Consciousness of the Universe wants you in touch.
Careful. Proceed with caution. This is not worship, but it is a kind of attention. Through meditative type exercises, you get in touch with the Vast Consciousness. In that link is to be found happiness.
This in-touch-ness is not for God's sake, it is for your sake. When in touch with the Vast Consciousness you know you are accepted and that you eternally belong. Across that link there are no conditions or qualifications.
When you have found your home in the Vast Consciousness, you know happiness and meaning. What could be greater happiness than knowing your are totally, unconditionally accepted just as you are? What could bring greater meaning to your life than understanding your own place in the Universe?
There is no worship needed or wanted because you have formed a sort of partnership with the Vast Consciousness. Your consciousness communicates with the Vast Consciousness. You share thoughts with God. You can share everything with the Vast Consciousness.
What greater way can there be to promote your own happiness than participating in this partnership? What's your part as a result? Simply to experience as much as you can through your life. It is that simple, and that profound.
This does not mean that you must not participate in worshiping communities. It means that you need no longer feel compelled to take part. Nor need you feel condemned if you do not take part. You can enjoy the fellowship and the warm feelings - if you chose to.
So, change from worship to partnership through the unconditional acceptance of the Vast Consciousness. In that partnership you will know happiness. Begin today.
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