What those who rail against the Bible may not understand is that the Bible provides and has provided over the centuries an understanding of who one is, the Tanakh (Old Testament) for the Jewish people and the New Testament for the Christian folk. This provision of a Psychology, of words and imagery that point to layer upon layer of understanding of one’s psyche, of one’s soul, is no mean feat. While superficial or crass understandings of its surface meanings led and continues to lead to hardhearted cruelties and ridiculousness, deep study combined with openness of heart produces marvelous radiance of thought, of heart, of action.
The same is true for those whose Book consists of Buddhist sutras, of the Qur’an, of the Tao Te Ching, of the Upanishads, of the Bhagavad Gita, of the writings of Rumi, of the Gnostics, of the Essenes, of all Great Poets, of those of Oral Tradition, and so on.
The point is that writings have been provided that help sketch out one’s place in the Cosmos. These writings come from our spiritual ancestors, those who gave attention to the realm of mind-body-spirit interflow, cosmic scientists, knowers, explorers, comprehenders of the spiritual world and worlds. It is difficult, if not impossible, to understand where we would be without these templates. One enters these realms and finds oneself to be more than a cipher in an economic system or a chunk of meat wandering the earth until death.
We are creatures who create story. Story tells us who we are, what is going on. Slam not another’s story. Bow and bless and fulfill your own.
The same is true for those whose Book consists of Buddhist sutras, of the Qur’an, of the Tao Te Ching, of the Upanishads, of the Bhagavad Gita, of the writings of Rumi, of the Gnostics, of the Essenes, of all Great Poets, of those of Oral Tradition, and so on.
The point is that writings have been provided that help sketch out one’s place in the Cosmos. These writings come from our spiritual ancestors, those who gave attention to the realm of mind-body-spirit interflow, cosmic scientists, knowers, explorers, comprehenders of the spiritual world and worlds. It is difficult, if not impossible, to understand where we would be without these templates. One enters these realms and finds oneself to be more than a cipher in an economic system or a chunk of meat wandering the earth until death.
We are creatures who create story. Story tells us who we are, what is going on. Slam not another’s story. Bow and bless and fulfill your own.
Very wise words, George, and well-founded in deep wisdom very well stated. However, you probably won't convince even a single spiritual sectarian. These people fight terrible wars over such matters and neither side is ever swayed, whether winner or loser.
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