Tagged: true believer
Vision and Attitude
As maturity increases, to acknowledge different perspectives, different viewpoints as valid, will be visible in our understanding of life.
A viewpoint is not just valid because it is “reasonable.” It is not just valid because it is “logical.” Those two words are “cover ups” for the fact that human beings are basically emotional creatures.
If we look at historical accounts on religious wars or just wars across the board, we will see that “reason and logic,” wasn’t part of the “decision making.” To hurt the planet or human beings to make a statement of power is not reasonable.
It is emotional.
Are emotions “bad”? No. They are part of the process of growing in life. Growth appears when we have that ability to expand our vision and that happens when we acknowledge the emotions of others as well, so our perspective expands from a single “unique” view to different viewpoints.
For example, in the history of the world, religions had great importance. It is basically what you believe in.
Your belief dictates a life style, a way of looking at the world and to understand life. For a “true” believer his emotions will be settled in that one “basket.” The issue comes when we are unable to accept other viewpoints as equally valid.
This acceptance does not come out of “trying to be good;” it comes out of the experience that our perception depends on our consciousness and that consciousness depends on our level of awareness, which continually changes. Thus, we are “right” and “wrong” at the same time, every time. 🙂
To acknowledge the possibility that we may be wrong, is a step forward to discover other possibilities.
Everyone may be looking at the same bright full moon surrounded by stars, but to believe that everyone is seeing the same thing is to be naïve.
Different experiences, different perceptions, different backgrounds, all of that determines our vision.
Therefore, changing our vision is truly important. That change does not mean to say one day that the color of the sun is “yellow” and the next day to say that it is “red.” It means to expand our vision to the possibility of different colors.
Truly, to say that the color of the Sun is “yellow“ is a costly oversimplification, especially if we are going to defend this particular belief. It all depends on the timing of the day, place and position to perceive a different shade.
Change the word “Sun” in the example, for “God.” Change the word “Sun” for “country,” “religion,” “beliefs,” “traditions,” “thoughts,” etc.
When there is an “unlimited” vision; there is no single item to identify with. Nothing to defend. Nothing to get all “emotional” about. It is just the understanding of different consciousness, different awareness, different timing.
This new vision will certainly bring a new attitude in life. That is the attitude of openness, that is the attitude of acceptance.
That attitude is unlimited and therefore, acknowledges and respects all.
That is why, a helping “angel” for humanity, cannot have a religion. Angels do not have a religion.
Changing spiritual teachings into a religious dogma
Any spiritual teaching has a “seed” in it; a main point; the “objective,” of it.
In Christianity for instance, it was about brotherhood.
This link is a good site to “teachings in the Bible in a nutshell.” (http://www.turnbacktogod.com/bible-teachings-in-a-nutshell/
You may notice 2 recurrent “teachings.”
1) Do unto others as you would have them do to you
2) Love thy neighbor as thyself.
That is it. All the other teachings are basically driven by those two.
Therefore, whatever else we do such as praying, confessions, penances, rituals, donations, etc.etc. should be meant to accomplish in a practical way, those 2 main teachings. Evidently, that has been a “work in progress” interrupted by wars, slavery, racial discrimination, and other “items:” while on the other hand, the spirituality of those teachings have been placed into an “organization,” into a “religious corporation,” where a hierarchy exists, where a set of rituals must be performed by the members and “loyalty” to that organization is measured by “how much you are willing to give your life for the benefit of it, for its continuous existence.”
If you do that, you will be recognized as a “true believer,” a “saint,” or some other “nice” label. However, whether that behavior have taken you to the main teachings in a practical way, is not known.
Note that the “knowing the true God, or the truth” has been the item of discussion and quarrels among different ideologies in time; however, the importance of a religion or philosophy or any “ism” has been conveniently forgotten and that is to put those teachings in their practical form.
Ananda Smith who is a “humble” maintenance guy at the nearby college; may have imbibed those teachings practically in his place of work and in his home. Perhaps he even goes to an “official religious reunion” on Sundays; but definitely; he has achieved in his life those teachings even though he may not show up in the “religious organization jet set” or be “remembered” as a “great soul.”
See the point? 🙂
The “purity” of a spiritual teaching could be and will be changed as time goes by. That is the issue. That purity does not depend on interpretations of those teachings according to time but on not being able to focus on the “seed” of the main teachings.
Then “dogmas” will be in place, because there is a need to define boundaries for people to behave so they can be counted as loyal followers. The paradox being that a “dogma” is not flexible as spiritual wisdom is meant to be; but yet a dogma is encouraged to be followed rather than the “spirit” of the spiritual teachings itself.
Note that in the above main teachings, there is no “HOW; “ the “how to do it?” question. It is just an open verbalized teaching that is left for the ones listening to put it into practice.
The “how to” is usually added by a religious organization.
All religious organizations follow pretty much the same pattern.
If we were to ask the same question in Brahma Kumaris, we will find that the main teachings are:
1) Become soul conscious
2) Imbibe divine virtues
That is it!
Soul consciousness brings everything. The “be a good boy, do well” all of that is included without being compelled by commandments and reciting books. Soul consciousness is a natural state of being which brings a natural balanced behavior once we have experienced it on a regular basis.
Imbibing Divine virtues, basically means to “emerge” Golden and Silver ages sanskaras, which only a Brahmin soul will have.
If we feel that “Divine virtues” are related with the clothes we wear or the hair style we have or the ring we wear, those items are irrelevant; however, necessary for the “organizational standards.”
It is not good to be a “rebel.” Because that means to “oppose.” If we oppose we are dealing with Egos.
It is more convenient in the long run, to be open and accepting of what is there; however, to fully understand what is going on.
Therefore, someone who has realized this; will act “tactfully;” that means to interact with respect but independence. At the same time, that person will know “the aim and objective,” clearly in his life and keep his path heading towards that light.
Exploring the Depth of Living 