This reading made me face my own belief system. I haven’t made a definitive decision to accept all the traditions and beliefs of any one religion. When I look at their fundamental beliefs, I see sincerity and goodness. However, when I look at their scriptures and followers, I see contradiction and hypocrisy. Two passages inspired a great introspective moment for me.
“In what concerns divine things, belief is not appropriate. Only certainty will do. Anything less than certainty is unworthy of God.” I have a difficult time believing the universe is the creation of an all powerful God, let alone being certain of it. I’m absolutely certain that the universe exists, but not certain in the existence of God. I find myself morphing the universe and God together which leaves me with an idea that God is neither omnipotent or anthropomorphic. I find myself thanking both God and the universe for blessings and praying to both for strength and guidance. I cannot see the line of separation between the two, so in my mind they are interchangeable.
“Perfect and infinite joy really exists within God. My participation can add nothing to it, my non-participation can take nothing from the reality of this perfect and infinite joy. Of what importance is it then whether I am to share in it or not? Of no importance whatever.” I don’t believe faith in God is the only path that leads to perfect and infinite joy. I believe faith in humanity brings joy as well. I also feel that our participation is of great importance. Our actions have an immense impact in the universe and on all forms of life. I’ve certainly seen love and hope grow exponentially. I’ve also seen hate and fear grow. Either way, all forms of participation, including apathy, are essential for every individual to find their path to happiness and joy.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Albert Einstein
This was a fantastic reading. I’ve always been intrigued with Albert Einstein, but I’ve never been exposed to anything other than his contributions to science. It was such a pleasure to see a different side to this 20th century icon. I’d like to comment on two passages in this reading.
“The true value of a human being can be found in the degree to which he has attained liberation from the self.”
“A human being is a part of the whole that we call the universe, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings, as something separated from the rest-a kind of optical illusion of his consciousness. This illusion is a prison for us….Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living beings…”
Freedom comes to those who don’t live to satisfy their ego. We’ve seen this theme before. In fact, it’s a theme that has survived for thousands of years. However, in our daily lives and interactions with each other, our ego and personality are what drives our actions. Even the laws that govern us are based on ego and personality, which ultimately creates an environment of ‘us’ and ‘them’. This can be seen in our views of male & female, black & white, gay & straight, rich & poor, and Christian & non-Christian citizens. Are we really separate from each other or is it an illusion as Einstein suggests? I believe the latter and hope that we will be able to transcend the imaginary lines that separate us by achieving emancipation from “the self” and remember what we all have in common, we are all human.
“The true value of a human being can be found in the degree to which he has attained liberation from the self.”
“A human being is a part of the whole that we call the universe, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings, as something separated from the rest-a kind of optical illusion of his consciousness. This illusion is a prison for us….Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living beings…”
Freedom comes to those who don’t live to satisfy their ego. We’ve seen this theme before. In fact, it’s a theme that has survived for thousands of years. However, in our daily lives and interactions with each other, our ego and personality are what drives our actions. Even the laws that govern us are based on ego and personality, which ultimately creates an environment of ‘us’ and ‘them’. This can be seen in our views of male & female, black & white, gay & straight, rich & poor, and Christian & non-Christian citizens. Are we really separate from each other or is it an illusion as Einstein suggests? I believe the latter and hope that we will be able to transcend the imaginary lines that separate us by achieving emancipation from “the self” and remember what we all have in common, we are all human.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Heraclitus
I have only two words for this passage, short and sweet. I enjoyed this reading so much I read it a few times in a row. It was both lighthearted and deep. Some of my favorites follow:
“All things flow.” The idea of change is less frightening as I learn more about the cycles of life in this class. I’ve learned that even inanimate objects have a life cycle, as Professor File pointed out in our discussion about the pen. I never would have thought about what that pen was 10 years ago or what it will be in 100 years from now. I see the fluidity of life more clearly now and this passage has communicated this idea in such a simple way.
“Opposition brings together, and from discord comes perfect harmony.” I have experienced the first part of this passage personally and I hope with all my heart that the second half is true also. Recently, I’ve been participating in politics and realized that I’ve had many opportunities to talk to people that I normally wouldn’t associate with. I’ve sat in person and on the phone for hours with people who’s beliefs oppose my own. I’ve been able to talk to people who support issues that affect my livelihood in a negative way. Opposition brought us together and I hope that our future brings harmony, not only as Americans, but as humans.
I completely enjoyed the sweet simplicity of this passage. It wasn’t preachy or difficult to grasp. I was able to apply the verses in a personal way which gave me a feeling of inclusion.
“All things flow.” The idea of change is less frightening as I learn more about the cycles of life in this class. I’ve learned that even inanimate objects have a life cycle, as Professor File pointed out in our discussion about the pen. I never would have thought about what that pen was 10 years ago or what it will be in 100 years from now. I see the fluidity of life more clearly now and this passage has communicated this idea in such a simple way.
“Opposition brings together, and from discord comes perfect harmony.” I have experienced the first part of this passage personally and I hope with all my heart that the second half is true also. Recently, I’ve been participating in politics and realized that I’ve had many opportunities to talk to people that I normally wouldn’t associate with. I’ve sat in person and on the phone for hours with people who’s beliefs oppose my own. I’ve been able to talk to people who support issues that affect my livelihood in a negative way. Opposition brought us together and I hope that our future brings harmony, not only as Americans, but as humans.
I completely enjoyed the sweet simplicity of this passage. It wasn’t preachy or difficult to grasp. I was able to apply the verses in a personal way which gave me a feeling of inclusion.
Philo
I thought this week’s readings were a breath of fresh air. I enjoyed most of them very much and this one made it to my top two. It’s becoming rare for me to read about God from a Western standpoint and be moved. But the God described in this passage had many qualities that I could appreciate.
“God loves to give, and freely bestows good things on all people, even the imperfect…” It sounds like this God would love me for me. In fact, I don’t think this God would even exclude my wife and I from the rights and privileges associated with marriage.
“For all the beautiful things in the world would never have been what they are if they hadn’t been modeled after the archetype of true beauty, the Uncreated, the Blessed, the Imperishable.” This passage was pretty powerful to me. All beautiful things come from a model that was never created, always blessed and indestructible. It’s especially interesting to think of an archetype that has no beginning or end, and is solely responsible for all beautiful things. It makes me wonder what is responsible for all of the ugly.
“…the goal of wisdom is laughter and play.” This is my favorite, hands down. I think laughter is a fantastic goal to have for attaining wisdom. It usually seems (from a western religious standpoint) the more knowledge you have about the world, the less playful and happy you are. The saying is, “ignorance is bliss”, not wisdom. But maybe we’ve had it backwards all this time. Perhaps laughter and play do follow true wisdom.
“God loves to give, and freely bestows good things on all people, even the imperfect…” It sounds like this God would love me for me. In fact, I don’t think this God would even exclude my wife and I from the rights and privileges associated with marriage.
“For all the beautiful things in the world would never have been what they are if they hadn’t been modeled after the archetype of true beauty, the Uncreated, the Blessed, the Imperishable.” This passage was pretty powerful to me. All beautiful things come from a model that was never created, always blessed and indestructible. It’s especially interesting to think of an archetype that has no beginning or end, and is solely responsible for all beautiful things. It makes me wonder what is responsible for all of the ugly.
“…the goal of wisdom is laughter and play.” This is my favorite, hands down. I think laughter is a fantastic goal to have for attaining wisdom. It usually seems (from a western religious standpoint) the more knowledge you have about the world, the less playful and happy you are. The saying is, “ignorance is bliss”, not wisdom. But maybe we’ve had it backwards all this time. Perhaps laughter and play do follow true wisdom.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Abu Yazid Al-Bistami
This was my favorite reading by far this week. This passage was a break from the contradictions I saw in the others that focused on an omnipotent God full of love and goodness, without addressing the cause of evil in the world. This reading crossed the boundaries of religion and spoke to the heart.
“Nothing is better for a man than to be without anything, having no asceticism, no theory, no practice. When he is without everything, he is with everything.” This is a common belief in Eastern religions as well. The idea of letting go of everything you Think you know along with all of your earthly possessions to gain something much greater is so powerful to me. I always stop and think about what that would literally mean for me. Could I leave the comfort of my home and my concepts of religion behind to gain the real truth? There is definitely something about this path that is very appealing to me. More so than listening to someone else’s interpretation of God’s word and telling me it’s the truth.
“Anyone whose reward from God is deferred until tomorrow has not truly worshiped Him today.” Any form of worship should renew your body, spirit and mind. It should be an opportunity to stop and smell the roses per se. Take a moment to count your blessings so that they may continue to flow in your life. Take some time to fill up at the gas station of love by remembering those you love and those who love you. There’s a reward every single time. This passage seems to speak to a specific group of people who think that worship is a chore to be completed to ensure a seat in heaven. But I believe the God Christians speak of would let a sincere, faithful & good-hearted idol worshiper into heaven before an insincere Christian that only goes through the motions of religion.
“Nothing is better for a man than to be without anything, having no asceticism, no theory, no practice. When he is without everything, he is with everything.” This is a common belief in Eastern religions as well. The idea of letting go of everything you Think you know along with all of your earthly possessions to gain something much greater is so powerful to me. I always stop and think about what that would literally mean for me. Could I leave the comfort of my home and my concepts of religion behind to gain the real truth? There is definitely something about this path that is very appealing to me. More so than listening to someone else’s interpretation of God’s word and telling me it’s the truth.
“Anyone whose reward from God is deferred until tomorrow has not truly worshiped Him today.” Any form of worship should renew your body, spirit and mind. It should be an opportunity to stop and smell the roses per se. Take a moment to count your blessings so that they may continue to flow in your life. Take some time to fill up at the gas station of love by remembering those you love and those who love you. There’s a reward every single time. This passage seems to speak to a specific group of people who think that worship is a chore to be completed to ensure a seat in heaven. But I believe the God Christians speak of would let a sincere, faithful & good-hearted idol worshiper into heaven before an insincere Christian that only goes through the motions of religion.
Abu Hamid Al-Ghazali
This reading took me on an interesting rollercoaster ride. First, I came across a beautiful passage which addressed why humans are drawn to God. Then, I read how all things good in nature come from God and felt frustrated because it left me with a longing to understand why evil exists in our world.
“Finally, man loves God because of the affinity between the human soul and its source, for it shares in the divine nature and attributes, because through knowledge and love it can attain to eternal life and itself become Godlike.” I felt a quiet satisfaction as I read this passage. I thought this was an excellent explanation of our need connect with God. It’s human nature to be drawn to the source of our existence. For instance, many people who have been adopted find it necessary to seek out their biological parents. It’s so important to find and/or connect with the source that is responsible for creating their life in this world.
“In truth, there is nothing good or beautiful or beloved in this world that does not come from his lovingkindness and is not the gift of his grace…For all that is good and just and lovely in the world, …is just a particle from the treasure of his riches and a ray from the splendor of his glory.” Does this mean that all things bad and unjust just illustrate a smidgen of his wrath and malevolence towards us? These types of passages frustrate me deeply. It’s very difficult to read that all things good are of God without needing an explanation for all things bad. The words in this passage are poetic, but I cannot ignore the underlying contradiction. If God is the creator of all, doesn’t that include things evil in nature as well as good? If God doesn’t have anything to do with evil, is he really ALL powerful? When we look at war, poverty, genocide and disease, what solace do we have if He is ALL powerful? Do we just say, “That’s God’s will”?
If anyone is able to answer any of my questions, I’ll be most grateful. I only want to increase my understanding. Thank you in advance.
“Finally, man loves God because of the affinity between the human soul and its source, for it shares in the divine nature and attributes, because through knowledge and love it can attain to eternal life and itself become Godlike.” I felt a quiet satisfaction as I read this passage. I thought this was an excellent explanation of our need connect with God. It’s human nature to be drawn to the source of our existence. For instance, many people who have been adopted find it necessary to seek out their biological parents. It’s so important to find and/or connect with the source that is responsible for creating their life in this world.
“In truth, there is nothing good or beautiful or beloved in this world that does not come from his lovingkindness and is not the gift of his grace…For all that is good and just and lovely in the world, …is just a particle from the treasure of his riches and a ray from the splendor of his glory.” Does this mean that all things bad and unjust just illustrate a smidgen of his wrath and malevolence towards us? These types of passages frustrate me deeply. It’s very difficult to read that all things good are of God without needing an explanation for all things bad. The words in this passage are poetic, but I cannot ignore the underlying contradiction. If God is the creator of all, doesn’t that include things evil in nature as well as good? If God doesn’t have anything to do with evil, is he really ALL powerful? When we look at war, poverty, genocide and disease, what solace do we have if He is ALL powerful? Do we just say, “That’s God’s will”?
If anyone is able to answer any of my questions, I’ll be most grateful. I only want to increase my understanding. Thank you in advance.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
The Gospel of Thomas
It is hard for me to read a quote from Jesus without wondering how accurate the words really are since they were written at a time when he couldn’t confirm, deny or defend them. The other thought hurdle I encounter is trying to envision how Jesus looked since there are so many depictions of him, but most do not match the written descriptions in the Bible. I finally realized I was standing in my own way of discovering some of the beautiful truths this passage had to offer.
“Jesus said, ‘Recognize what is in your sight, and what is hidden will become clear to you.’” I had to read this a few times before realizing that the passage has more than one meaning. The most significant for me was the concept of gratitude. I believe by being grateful for the things and circumstances you have ‘in your sight’ can lead to an unveiling of new wonderful things that were previously ‘hidden’ from you. I also believe the quote was also referring to concepts in our ‘sight’. Concepts we can grasp such as morality, honor, and love. I believe that once we recognize these then the ‘hidden’ concepts such as God and eternal life become illuminated.
Christianity has been a difficult religion to study this week because it is the only religion I’ve had negative personal experiences with. It’s so difficult, for humans in general, not to judge an entire group based on the distasteful actions of individuals within that group. However, it is absolutely necessary to set all prejudices aside so that we don’t perpetuate spread of hate and ignorance. Once I got over my own obstacles and preconceived ideas about Christianity, I was able to appreciate these passages very much.
“Jesus said, ‘Recognize what is in your sight, and what is hidden will become clear to you.’” I had to read this a few times before realizing that the passage has more than one meaning. The most significant for me was the concept of gratitude. I believe by being grateful for the things and circumstances you have ‘in your sight’ can lead to an unveiling of new wonderful things that were previously ‘hidden’ from you. I also believe the quote was also referring to concepts in our ‘sight’. Concepts we can grasp such as morality, honor, and love. I believe that once we recognize these then the ‘hidden’ concepts such as God and eternal life become illuminated.
Christianity has been a difficult religion to study this week because it is the only religion I’ve had negative personal experiences with. It’s so difficult, for humans in general, not to judge an entire group based on the distasteful actions of individuals within that group. However, it is absolutely necessary to set all prejudices aside so that we don’t perpetuate spread of hate and ignorance. Once I got over my own obstacles and preconceived ideas about Christianity, I was able to appreciate these passages very much.
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