The beautiful Dalai Lama has said, "This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness."
Wise words indeed, from a man who has devoted his life to spreading peace and love throughout the world. Sound familiar?
The Dalai Lama's teachings are very much like those of Jesus of Nazareth. And of Buddha. And Ghandi. And a host of other great teachers who have tried and tried (and tried!) to tell us that the way to love is love . The way to peace is peace . The way to life is life .
In the Tao Te Ching there is a quote that says, "the Tao that can be named is not the Tao."
As with most writings, this is left entirely to one's own interpretation. I may see that thought as a way of saying, 'You can't put a name on it. It's about how it feels '. Someone else might interpret it as 'Tomato, tomahhhto. It's all the same fruit.' The point is, regardless of what one believes or how one practices said beliefs, it is an entirely personal interpretation.
So why is it that so many people insist on converting other people? Why do so many religious factions teach that their followers must 'spread the word'? Why have so many people been killed in the name of religion? Do you realize that more deaths have resulted 'in the name of God' than for any other 'cause'....ever? Even Hitler had his religious beliefs that compelled him to do what he did. Same goes with the Ku Klux Klan. Oh yes. Those fellows are deeply "religious"; "good, God-fearing Christians". See what I mean? Interpretation .
Now, before anyone gets their shorts in a huff, let me say that I am in no way condemning anyone else's beliefs. We all have them and we are most certainly entititled to them. No one has the right to tell anyone else what to believe. Nor does anyone have the right to say what is 'right or wrong' in regard to said beliefs. The whole reason this comes up now is because of this writer's observations of late. Things that are far too 'loud' to ignore. Things that have caused me to have a more open-minded view of humans in general.
So many people are struggling right now. Not just in the United States, but all around the world. People are hungry and cold and frightened of what is to come. We seem to be a species on the verge of .... evolution.
Not revolution .
EVOLUTION.
Does it mean that our evolution is leading us to annihilation or does it mean we are about to break through to an even higher level of consciousness? Is this whole "2012" thing going to mean the end of the world, or merely the end of the world as we know it ? Are we hurtling toward mass destruction or are we about to undo all the horrors we've been living for the past 2500 years?
There are as many ways to interpret the teachings as there are people on the planet. None of them is wrong. At least not in the eyes of the believer. While some of the methods used by various religious factions may seem horrible and terrifying, those who practice them see them as 'right'. Even the followers of the Taliban think they're right. Terrifying? Yes indeed. Because their methods are, to those who don't 'believe' the same thing, barbaric and cruel. Unspeakably cruel. Nightmarishly cruel. But are they 'wrong'? If we cannot understand their methods, is it merely because we don't feel the same way they do? Or is it because we see that they are driven by the fears that have been ingrained in their teachings? Again, just one 'perspective'. I'd be willing to bet that those who practice this religion don't see it that way. They see 'their way' as the only way to honor their "God". Back to interpretation.
And so, herein lies our biggest challenge. When we all realize that we are connected; inherently and eternally connected to one another, the killing will stop. The wars will stop. The 'conversions' will stop. Because it seems to me that we all have one thing in common:
We all want to live our lives in peace, with love, and without fear. All of us . Even the boneheads who start the wars. Even the murderous suicide bombers. Even the terrorists who blow up school houses. They want it too. They just don't know how . It is their fear that motivates them. The more fearful they are, the more they push to control the 'little people' around them. And yes, even greed is stemmed in fear. Fear of lack. Fear of time. Fear of DEATH.
The sooner we all realize these simple truths, the sooner we will see what Jesus of Nazareth wanted so much for us to live. He, like the Buddha and so many others after them, wanted us to realize that it doesn't matter what you call it, what matters is that you live with your heart. What matters is that The One That Has No Name is a part of each and every one of us. We are It and It is us. No separation. No 'here and there'. No 'on the other side'.
Right here, right now, we all have access to love and kindness. We all have the power to live this love and kindness. All we need do is CHOOSE to live it. And quit with all the fussing about who's right and who's wrong. The more we 'push against', the more we push ourselves away from these truths.
Simple as that.
Camille Strate is a blossoming Being who spends much of her time writing, romping with her critters and occasionally crafting treasures from wood. Her latest book, "Whispers ~ The Often Subtle Sometimes Rowdy Voice Of Truth" is now available in paperback and eBook formats. For more information, please visit her site at: JoyZAChoice. Woodwitch.etsy.com
Compare with American Revolutionary Thomas Paine, who wrote in Common Sense, "I do not believe in the creed professed by the Jewish church, by the Roman church, by the Greek church, by the Protestant church, nor by any church that I know of. My own mind is my church."
Great article, Camille. I agree with every one of your points, and I so wish that our thoughts and beliefs were the majority. It is all so simple, if we all could just learn to accept each person we meet in life as they are -- no judgement. Of course that begins with accepting ourselves as we are...not so simple!
In any case, I think we could talk for hours. It's nice to read your thoughts and see into your kind and loving heart.
Debi ~ My deepest thanks for your kind words, for taking the time to read, and to offer your perspective as well. Yes, you're so right about acceptance...on both counts. It starts with 'ME' and then...the rest will flow. I believe this with all my heart. And so, baby steps, yes?
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