The conventional definition of agnostic appears to be one who is not sure whether or not a god or gods exist. However, my definition is those who take the position that no one can be certain whether or not a god or gods exist.

Sorry, should have capitallized "Myownpath"!

Ultimately only the heart can decide proof.

Evidence? Now that can be provided.

Then the mind can honestly show weaknesses and falsehoods in what may be offered as evidentiary.

The important thing, when one feels that there is something to find, is to search and seek.

Otherwise one would not be true to one's self, would one?

There's the pebble. Cleave carefully and it might be a diamond or just another bit of shiny quartz. Smash it and you have dust. Throw it away and you'll always wonder. Just put it in your pocket, forgetting it, and you'll never know its true value. Polish it in the shape of a lens and it will tell you more about reality.

Dear Myownpath,

"I can see what you are saying coming from a Unity background."

What do you mean by "a Unity background"? It is true that unity is the main principle of this Faith.

"I decided to take a closer look at the beliefs "I am not separate from God" "If I could only realize who I am..." The native American view that God is hidden in everything." At one time I saw it, but now I realize I never did."

God can be thought of as All-Pervasive, yes?

"It seems the smarter we become as a society our concepts of God reflect such beliefs."

Our conceptions of God evolve with society as it grows and develops, shouldn't they?

"An anthropomorphic God is absurd, so then we think maybe a Universal God is possible."

An anthropomorphic idea is an anthropocentric misunderstanding, possibly? Growing out of primitive myth and reinforced by a reversed vision that falsely identifies and treats the Creator as a product of our mind rather than Creation as that produced by the Creator.

God would have to be Universal if considered Infinite, wouldn't God?

"I tried prayer, not a pleading prayer --- no connection."

One shows love and respect to whomever is loved and respected. One says "please" if only out of good manners. True that it would be inappropriate to turn to another and plead. But God is not just some sibling sentient soul for whom, out of self-respect one might wash, put on make-up/shave, dress and speak politely. To approach God requires more than that. God is closer to us than ourselves, yet far beyond our imagination. A prayerful approach should be pure and in utmost sincerity. Could one truly be said to be seeking love without ardently embracing the Beloved? Do we sometimes practice what we want to say, so that we get it right? Maybe these will help, read them with your heart not with eyes alone, listen for the melody and breathe the perfume:

"7. O SON OF LOVE!
Thou art but one step away from the glorious heights above and from the celestial tree of love. Take thou one pace and with the next advance into the immortal realm and enter the pavilion of eternity. Give ear then to that which hath been revealed by the pen of glory.

8. O SON OF GLORY!
Be swift in the path of holiness, and enter the heaven of communion with Me. Cleanse thy heart with the burnish of the spirit, and hasten to the court of the Most High.

9. O FLEETING SHADOW!
Pass beyond the baser stages of doubt and rise to the exalted heights of certainty. Open the eye of truth, that thou mayest behold the veilless Beauty and exclaim: Hallowed be the Lord, the most excellent of all creators!

10. O SON OF DESIRE!
Give ear unto this: Never shall mortal eye recognize the everlasting Beauty, nor the lifeless heart delight in aught but in the withered bloom. For like seeketh like, and taketh pleasure in the company of its kind.

11. O SON OF DUST!
Blind thine eyes, that thou mayest behold My beauty; stop thine ears, that thou mayest hearken unto the sweet melody of My voice; empty thyself of all learning, that thou mayest partake of My knowledge; and sanctify thyself from riches, that thou mayest obtain a lasting share from the ocean of My eternal wealth. Blind thine eyes, that is, to all save My beauty; stop thine ears to all save My word; empty thyself of all learning save the knowledge of Me; that with a clear vision, a pure heart and an attentive ear thou mayest enter the court of My holiness."

 (Baha'u'llah, The Persian Hidden Words)

"It seems likely that consciousness can only limit itself during physically conscious periods."

What of dreams? Are we not aware at such a time? Do we not dream freely, even of things and times we have not seen yet? which are confirmed when later they occurr?

"We create our life, but "magic" seems unlikely."

We create part of our life. Don't family, friends, acquaintances and society in general all provide parts of us and mold our lives? Isn't there plenty we don't fully understand? Do we have to label things that are difficult to grasp as nonexistent or improbable? Reality is inherently mysterious. What some consider miraculous has simple scientific explanations. Beauty and goodness are not necessarily simple and certainly have no scientific certainty. They surely exist in more than the eye of the beholder. The eye does count in their perception, though that's not always easy to see.