Rarely shall we come across central tenets of one form of Religiosity that are not similarly conveyed in another. The religious or spiritual practices that most closely echo one another's tenets provide just enough familiarity to ease conversion from one to the other. Sometimes people arrive at previously unrealized & impactful insights during their conversion from one belief system to some other (religious or otherwise). They may entirely ascribe their newfound illumination, optimism or good fortune to their current transition. But is it really so? We shouldn't be so quick to conflate any subsequent euphoria with wherever we are, whoever we're with or whatever we're doing at that very moment. Correlation does not imply causation.
Though I may want to attribute any novel thoughts & feelings specifically to what's before me at present, if given time to reflect I might realize that it's what's behind me that got me there. Everything at present that I'd like to associate with my newfound illumination, optimism or good fortune may simply be a final nudge. Imagine that you set out on a long arduous trek. You have finally arrived at your destination. Your emotions fluctuate from anxiety to exhilaration to equanimity to relief and culminate with an intensified sense of self-esteem which nudges you across the threshold. You have arrived. It is the end of one stage in your development that lends itself to the next. And though the accompanying circumstances were a necessary step on the path, they were not solely responsible for the illumination, optimism or good fortune that proceeded. The circumstances immediately preceding the illumination, optimism or good fortune are merely recent occurrences, in a series of events, leading up to what's happened—call it an awakening or maturation if you insist.
And so, what is important is that you have evolved and also how you will proceed with the experience, knowledge and wisdom obtained. Neither the instance nor arena in which this personal growth takes place need be accredited nor pondered. For some this tipping point may occur beneath a tree[1], in a desert[2], or in a cave[3]. For others it may be found on a park bench[4], in a prison cell[5], or within any place really. The point is, that it was simply your time to arrive. This is not to say that such an instance is your final destination. Oftentimes an end is a beginning. Disciplines or belief systems can either hinder or facilitate our maturation. Our relationship to, understanding, and utilization of certain teachings that characterize the world's religions and spiritual practices will determine the extant to which they facilitate our personal growth.
For me, the teachings are but sign-posts pointing toward the seeker themself. Therein lies your truths and salvation. Some teachings offer instruction beyond our literal comprehension of them. While the sign-posts are shaped differently or written in different tongues, many shed the same light. To give credence to one, but not the other, is like placing more value on the natural light of the rising sun than the light of the setting sun. One fails to acknowledge that they are equally valued expressions of light, birthed by one Sun.
No matter the name (Life, The Source, Truth, One, the five Hindu deities, Sikhism's Waheguru, Almighty, Sufism's Hu, YHVH, Being, Now, God, et cetera), it seems as much within as as without (meaning literally outside of oneself). In order to fully understand, feel, and thus appreciate the source of our vitality without, it make sense to acknowledge, respect and nurture the vitality within. To be able to constructively contribute to the world without, we ought seek to understand and edify the world within.
To be entirely preoccupied with the world we see, touch, taste, smell, and hear is to be insensitive to the presence of the world within our sensible selves. It is a form of Self-neglect—the preferential treatment of a part of ourselves. What is on the outside is a projection of within. Conflict within leads to conflict without. It is that underdeveloped side of the human being, crying out from the lonely confines of its inner sanctum, "I am here! I am a part."
I suspect that for as long as this imbalance remains unaddressed, on the level of the individual, that the cumulative effects of our isolated imbalances will continue to manifest themselves in the form of the ceaseless conflict & suffering that is lavished upon our earthly domain. Perhaps my understanding of this is incorrect, in the sense that all that is meant, is as it is, and that that balancing act is already underway?
Though I may want to attribute any novel thoughts & feelings specifically to what's before me at present, if given time to reflect I might realize that it's what's behind me that got me there. Everything at present that I'd like to associate with my newfound illumination, optimism or good fortune may simply be a final nudge. Imagine that you set out on a long arduous trek. You have finally arrived at your destination. Your emotions fluctuate from anxiety to exhilaration to equanimity to relief and culminate with an intensified sense of self-esteem which nudges you across the threshold. You have arrived. It is the end of one stage in your development that lends itself to the next. And though the accompanying circumstances were a necessary step on the path, they were not solely responsible for the illumination, optimism or good fortune that proceeded. The circumstances immediately preceding the illumination, optimism or good fortune are merely recent occurrences, in a series of events, leading up to what's happened—call it an awakening or maturation if you insist.
And so, what is important is that you have evolved and also how you will proceed with the experience, knowledge and wisdom obtained. Neither the instance nor arena in which this personal growth takes place need be accredited nor pondered. For some this tipping point may occur beneath a tree[1], in a desert[2], or in a cave[3]. For others it may be found on a park bench[4], in a prison cell[5], or within any place really. The point is, that it was simply your time to arrive. This is not to say that such an instance is your final destination. Oftentimes an end is a beginning. Disciplines or belief systems can either hinder or facilitate our maturation. Our relationship to, understanding, and utilization of certain teachings that characterize the world's religions and spiritual practices will determine the extant to which they facilitate our personal growth.
For me, the teachings are but sign-posts pointing toward the seeker themself. Therein lies your truths and salvation. Some teachings offer instruction beyond our literal comprehension of them. While the sign-posts are shaped differently or written in different tongues, many shed the same light. To give credence to one, but not the other, is like placing more value on the natural light of the rising sun than the light of the setting sun. One fails to acknowledge that they are equally valued expressions of light, birthed by one Sun.
No matter the name (Life, The Source, Truth, One, the five Hindu deities, Sikhism's Waheguru, Almighty, Sufism's Hu, YHVH, Being, Now, God, et cetera), it seems as much within as as without (meaning literally outside of oneself). In order to fully understand, feel, and thus appreciate the source of our vitality without, it make sense to acknowledge, respect and nurture the vitality within. To be able to constructively contribute to the world without, we ought seek to understand and edify the world within.
To be entirely preoccupied with the world we see, touch, taste, smell, and hear is to be insensitive to the presence of the world within our sensible selves. It is a form of Self-neglect—the preferential treatment of a part of ourselves. What is on the outside is a projection of within. Conflict within leads to conflict without. It is that underdeveloped side of the human being, crying out from the lonely confines of its inner sanctum, "I am here! I am a part."
I suspect that for as long as this imbalance remains unaddressed, on the level of the individual, that the cumulative effects of our isolated imbalances will continue to manifest themselves in the form of the ceaseless conflict & suffering that is lavished upon our earthly domain. Perhaps my understanding of this is incorrect, in the sense that all that is meant, is as it is, and that that balancing act is already underway?
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