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.
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