Play ‘Dark Souls’ and you will die — again and again and again.

From Software’s latest game — released this month — is long. It’s hard. It can be almost painful to play. And it has absolutely enthralled videogamers.

Maybe that’s because, like a great spiritual teacher, this videogame challenges gamers to learn. Only then will a player be rewarded with the next challenge.

If you’re a certain sort of spiritual person all of this might sound familiar — and maybe a little insulting. No one is going to become enlightened by grinding away a this game on their XBox 360 or PlayStation 3.

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This isn’t Donkey Kong, however. Set in a beautiful, inhospitable world, the player begins the game as a corpse. Or walking corpse, confined to a dungeon in one of the lost corners of the world. Right from the start, the game throws booby traps, combat, and only the faintest of clues about the game’s ultimate quest at new players. Mystery, not a mission, is your motivation.

And what a mystery it is. No spoilers here, but to figure out what’s going on, the game sends the player wandering through frigid mountains, sunless swamps, and ancient cities. To advance, the player harvests the souls of the slain. To recharge, resting points must be located. Choose to rest and the the many monsters you’ve just slain will respawn.

That’s one of the twists that make this game anything but easy. Along the way, you’ll begin piecing together stories about this world, its inhabitants, and its grim history. Completing the game will take 70 hours. And if you’re willing to stick with it, this world begins to stick with you.

This isn’t a video game review, however. It’s the starting poing for a discussion: can a button-mashing videogame be a spiritual teacher? On one level, of course not. Videogame designers can be artists, however, and the bloody stories woven into this game are about souls just as surely as they’re about swords

As much of the world celebrates the killing of Osama Bin Laden, we need to ask ourselves what effect this will really have on the reality of terrorism.

BY DAVID RICKEY — Yes, Bin Laden was a very evil individual who masterminded much and mentored many. However, his death will stop neither the consciousness that breeds terrorism nor the historic causes that feed that consciousness.

The decision to bury Bin Laden’s body at sea within hours of his death demonstrates, it seems to me, a level of sensitivity that counters much of the insensitivity that lies at the root of the present pandemic of terrorism (although already there is conflicting opinion and criticism for this action).

While there will always be people who express their selfish anger in acts of aggression against others, the “West” — that over-encompassing term describing what we might describe as the “more enlightened” people in Europe and America — would do well to reflect on our own actions over the past 3+ centuries that have contributed to the anger in Africa, the “Middle East” and southest Asia that underpin the terrorist argument.We have all cast stones

Eliza Griswold, in her excellent book The Tenth Parallel, catalogs the colonialist, missionary and political history of both Islam and Christianity in Africa and Southest Asia that fuels the present-day conflicts. Competition for resources coupled with an evangelistic zeal on both sides demonstrate a painfully slow evolution of consciousness that has kept us from finding peaceful ways of co-existing on this planet. From the yearning for an Islamic world order to concern for saving the souls of African “Pagans,” the human attempt to find a way of controlling others to ensure the survival of one or the other world view has led to seething resentment and ultimately senseless killing on both sides.

Look at our own national history. The capture and import of African people for slave-labor, the plundering of natural resources without concern for the people who already lived on the African continent, or the herding and killing of Indigenous people who already lived in this country that England, France and Spain claimed for their own. These are the facts to which angry people can point to justify their actions against us.

Forgiving the Unforgivable: A Soul’s Code Slideshow

As we breathe a sigh of relief at the death of Bin Laden, claiming justice being finally served, we need to look at our own actions of injustice and find ways of countering the effect of our history. Again, I see the decision to bury the body at sea as a symbolic act that could begin a more sensitive approach to world affairs — it might do much more to change our future than a continued “War on Terror” that seems to only reinforce the animosity. If we can demonstrate true concern for others, a desire to act in concord rather than continue attitudes of discord with other nations and peoples, we may be able to nurture the evolution of consciousness that seems to be taking a renewed surge in countries like Egypt, Libya, and Syria.

There is reason for optimism in the present turmoil. As America’s concern about having enough oil bumps into our concern for human rights and freedom on the public stage of media awareness, perhaps we are being forced to look deeper at our own values. There we might find more equitable ways to live together on the planet.

May the celebrations be sobered by contemplation! May this mark the end of an era and a milestone in human evolution.

David Rickey is an Episcopal priest, Soul’s Code co-founder and counselor in San Francisco who does a weekly ministry at a residence for the elderly in northern California. Follow David on Twitter.

BY DAVID RICKEY – We’ve always gotten it wrong. The “religio” in religion means “to connect.” That’s what religion has always meant, but we’re connecting to the wrong things.

Early humans first came up with religion as a way of trying to understand the world and their place in it, and trying to control two things: survival and death. Humans had evolved enough to realize that existence was complex. We intuited meaning and systems such as cause and effect. The problem was that we had also developed an ego, and tended to interpret our intuitions in images that reflected that ego. So we developed the idea of a personal God, and attributed to it many of our own emerging attitudes: anger, jealousy, possessiveness and the need for power – all aspects of ego.

Another problem arose as civilizations evolved: man’s testosterone.

Already present in earlier forms of life, it started to influence the evolving Ego and subsequently, male dominance. So we not only attributed manly power to this God but interpreted “revelation” (intuiting wisdom) as supporting our own masculine tendencies. Religion ended up serving our need to conquer, acquire, dominate and exploit.

In man’s image

Although both Mohammed and Jesus had women followers who were apparently quite influential in their lives, later expressions of their teachings were very anti-woman. Just look at the Catholic attitude toward ordination of women, and the way conservative Islam’s treats women.

The masculine ego had other subtle but more disturbing effects on religion. Throughout the world, religion became entwined with the acquisition of wealth and power.

The early Israelites conquered the land of Canaan – occupied by Canaanites – claiming that God had given it to them. Christians had the Crusades, which were more motivated more by economic and territorial concern than by saving souls.

In more recent time, Colonialism went hand in hand with trying to spread the Gospel. More accurately, “spreading the Gospel” was an excuse to take control of land and resources throughout the world, in all continents except Antarctica.

From the beginning, the spread of Islam seems more motivated by commercial and territorial interests than the desire to advance the egalitarian community, Ummah. Even Buddhists have a long history of warfare for territorial expansion and political power.

I would submit that the real conflict between Islam and Christianity as well as Judaism is an expression of this “religionizing” of the masculine ego’s need for power and possessions. In so-called religious wars, the rhetoric is rarely about the value of a particular faith tradition. Instead the religion serves as an excuse or justification for fighting and dominating.

Soul savers

One particularly interesting aspect of “religious” conflict is the apparent concern for the salvation of a person’s soul. In the present world, the Abrahamic faiths are the primary combatants. And what distinguishes them from many other faith traditions is their emphasis on heaven and hell (less so in Judaism). Christians have marched across continents, claiming heaven and hell for themselves and preaching “Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior” as the entrance fee to a pleasant afterlife. Muslims have used the reward of salvation to motivate Jihadists to commit suicidal bombings.

Whereas religion began as an attempt to learn to live together in a seemingly hostile world, it has become the foundation of hostility and division. Our ego sense of separation resulted in great difficulty learning how to live in harmony. Every one of us has become addicted to self-preservation.

In my own religion, Christianity, the “good news” seems to be that Jesus died for us, and we can avoid punishment and ultimate damnation by accepting that fact. Clearly, the appeal of this good news is its being the antidote to our fear of death, which is really the ego’s fear of annihilation. As I work on my Ego I fear death less because, as Stephen Levine has pointed out, “Who Dies?”

If only we could advance human consciousness to recognize that the ego is of little significance, except to define this particular temporal incarnation of Spirit. We would go a long way to solving many of the world’s conflicts. Meanwhile, perhaps we need to find a way to tone down human male testosterone. Women do seem to be, on average, less aggressive, acquisitive (except perhaps at Macy’s) and certainly less domineering than men.

I am cautiously hopeful that emerging spiritual teachings are inching us forward. I believe that acknowledging the effects ego and testosterone have had on religion might help us develop a better religion – one that truly reconnects us to the Spirit that is our source, and one that actively, through practice, disconnects us from the power of these rampant (and manly) forces. Personally I am thankful that religion is in severe decline and hope that spirituality is on the rise. As a civilization, this is our only hope.

David Rickey is an Episcopal priest, Soul’s Code co-founder and counselor in San Francisco who does a weekly ministry at a residence for the elderly in northern California. Follow David on Twitter.

Sara Miles’ conversion to Christianity not only opened her eyes to Christ, but opened the eyes of now fellow Christians

Sara Miles never expected to convert to a religion and worship a God she didn’t believe existed.  Strange as it may sound, but that’s conversion. Former atheist editor of Mother Jones magazine, Miles found herself mysteriously drawn to a mysterious God.

In an interview with David Ian Miller, Miles detailed her conversion beginning with receiving communion at an Episcopal Church. One day Miles spied St. Gregory of Nyssa Episcopal Church in San Francisco, attended a liturgy, and took communion.

Miles’ meditated on what she had received, what appeared as simple bread and wine, and how this sacred banquet was a reception of faith. And what’s equally interesting is the way Miles’ — a lesbian — challenges ‘traditional’ ideas about faith and identity in the midst of the schism in the Episcopal Church over the status of same-sex relationships.

I know that there are a lot of Christians who don’t think I ought to be allowed in the club. Luckily, Christianity is not a club. It is, as my favorite patriarchal, misogynist, homophobic apostle St. Paul said: “There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female anymore. For you are all one in Jesus Christ.” What counts is not who you are. Your human identity and your human status are not the point.

What is the point, Miles argues, is that God is open to all people at any moment of God’s choosing. Making plans on the human plane is something of a well timed joke we tell to God, whose plans are often not our own, even though they are meant for us. Miles’ faith journey is one of continuing exploration, an open ended path to the divine.

Feeding the poor is food for the soul

Helping the poor is an essential part of Miles’ identity as a Christian. If there was ever a time when Jesus showed preferential treatment, it was to the poor.

Miles put faith into action by founding The Food Pantry whose “mission is to provide access to food for hungry people.” 10 years running strong, The Food Pantry helps other charitible organizations collect and distribute food; the pantry directly distributes food at St. Gregory’s, piling fruits, vegtables and canned goods around the altar of the church.

Helping the poor is an expression of God’s love for all people, regardless of race or creed.  Miles describes the people who visit the Pantry at St. Gregory’s; some are homeless, others living in squalid conditions, and others living in comfortable apartments and flats but can barely afford the high cost of living in San Francisco.

Being a Christian who receives communion, reads the Bible, and yet does not feed the poor would be a contradiction for Miles.

Haiti’s voodoo turns against itself and into spiritual self-retribution

Haiti’s devastating earthquake has left thousands dead, injured and homeless, causing a psychic after-shock about suffering, poverty, international relations, death, and God. Amidst the pain and chaos, Haitians and the world are seeking to understand and respond to the consequences of this earth shattering event.  In light of Haiti’s turbulent history of colonization, rebellion, corrupt governments, and natural disasters, all people are prompted to ask “Why did this happen?” and “What can be done now?”

Pat Robertson on the “pact with the Devil”

Pat Robertson has caused another stir with his recent comments on the “why” of the earthquake in Haiti.  Recounting a Haitian folk legend, Robertson stated that Haiti’s consistent problems, including the recent earthquake, are caused by a “pact with the Devil”.  According to the legend, as Robertson claims, Haitians cut a deal with the infamous fallen angel in the hopes of successfully removing French control over the western half of the island of Hispaniola.

Haitians call survival a gift from God

Many in the media were quick to attack Pat Robertson’s comments, calling his view hostile to those outside the US and presumptuous to interpret natural events as God’s will or divine retribution.  However, this appears to be only half the story. Some Haitians are interpreting the earthquake as divine retribution from God, claiming that the Haitian people have turned away from God.  However, this interpretation is not always bleak; Haitian impromptu preachers and Catholic clergy are reassuring earthquake victims that God has not abandoned them but is with them in their suffering. Survival has become a divine gift for some Haitians.

Danny Glover: global warming is lethal weapon

Actor Danny Glover has recently stated that global warming and climate change is the cause for the devestating earthquake in Haiti.  Glover also made charges that the US should not have a relation of ”dominance” over Haiti and the climate summit in Copenhagen had some role to play in the disaster. This is not Glover’s first commentary on Haiti.  In 2008 Glover directed and produced a film on Toussaint L’Ouverture, the man who lead an armed struggle for independence against the Spanish, French and British in what was called the Haitian Revolution.

Voodoo economics, almost

Some spectators of the earthquake’s devastation attribute the multitude of deaths and injuries to the earthquake (naturally) and the rampant poverty that has plagued the island for nearly two centuries.  Compared to the relatively few deaths and limited destruction wealthier cities suffering earthquakes, Port-au-Prince’s poverty allowed for unstable buildings, limited emergency medical treatment, and weak infrastructure to deal with the crisis.  Moreover, the same critique includes voodoo beliefs and practices as a cause, helping inspire a climate of poverty and encouraging an econimic fatalism.

Haitian Voodoo Catholicism

The Vatican quickly turned to US Catholic charities to send aid to Haiti.  While Haitians are predominately Roman Catholic, the majority of Haitians practice Voodoo, often called a “spirit religion” because of its beliefs and practices involving a multitude of spirits in day-to-day life.  Voodoo practitioners communicate with spirits through dance, song and sacrifice, and the spirits often communicate through possession.  Having its origins in Africa, and brought over to Haiti through the slave trade, Voodoo blends many of its practices with Roman Catholicism.  In 2003 the Haitian government officially recognized Voodoo as a religion.