Jeff Russell

Huh, interesting. I've had some other commenters on Ecosophia and on Magic Monday point out that spiritual entities might not interact with time the same way we do, and I've been very, very shallowly exposed to the idea that ever since Einstein at least, physics has suggested that time (might?) be a product of our perception rather than an intrinsic fact of external reality. I am in no way qualified to evaluate such claims, so I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

As for reincarnation, I'm currently accepting it as a good working hypothesis, but not one that I have much personal evidence for (no past life memories or the like). It keeps striking me how it keeps showing up in very different religious traditions around the world, in weird and specific enough ways to make me think there's something to it, but for now, it's more a belief I take on faith/the credibility of folks I trust. At a minimum, I'm meditating on things as if it is true and seeing what comes of that.

On Gods as collectives, also very interesting. I don't have a super well-developed view here, but my working hypothesis (heavily based on what I've gotten from JMG's writings) is that "Gods" as identified by humans are some combination of an astral vehicle/body and an animating spirit that is bigger/smarter/more wise than a human. I suspect that the astral vehicle is somewhat co-created between worshippers and the God involved (this vehicle would be the "job title"), and it is then animated by beings that for one reason or another find it suitable (personality? responsibility? shift system?). This view certainly allows for different beings to animate the same vehicle at different times, but I hadn't really considered that it might be closer to a "rotating" role like who brings snacks to the meeting rather than a sequential role, like "the King of England".

All interesting to think about and worthy of further study and meditation!