Yet another interesting week at my house. We are having our bathroom renovated. By a contractor who is an Evangelical Christian. And who also happens to believe that Satan has a personal hate on for him and interferes in his life on a regular basis. In this persons eyes, Satan is the reason he has to struggle on a daily basis just to get by. And I am also reading the Complete Works of H. Emilie Cady (one of the originators of the New Thought movement). What a contrast!
My contractor believes God is something apart form him, to whom he must give over "stewardship" so to speak of his life, and trust God will take care of him. When the Devil isn't busy screwing with him of course. Now, the holes in this theory are big enough to drive trucks through. But this fellow has a sincere belief and he does not want to hear anything different.
Cady, on the other hand, spent her entire life exploring everything she thought she knew as a Christian about God. And she came to some astounding conclusions that have shaped the lives of many people. But she was always willing to listen openly to another viewpoint. And she wasn't looking for anyone or anything to "save" her. Her sincere beliefe was that God can only work through us as much as we will allow it.
I believe the difference between the two viewpoints is, as another author puts it, about people following the teachings of Jesus, as opposed to the teachings about Jesus. So I've been exploring these ideas, and I wrote a poem. Enjoy. Hope it makes you think.
Let go
of this idea of salvation.
No one is coming to rescue you.
You must be your own hero.
Find the strength
To answer the call
And find your own way home.
Your soul will welcome you
at the door,
And there is a place for you
at the table.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Monday, January 11, 2010
Right Speech?
So, a friend and I had a misunderstanding of words the other day, which got me thinking about the concept of right speech. Now "right speech" is the Buddhist way of talking about what you say. Unfortunately, a lot of people seem to interpret this concept to mean they must only use nice, kind words when speaking to others. Or that they shouldn't say anything negative at all. Ever. I find these type of people tend to be passive-agressive and very frustrating to be around.
Then there is another type, who just never say what they actually mean. Instead, they use inuendo or other verbal gymnastics to say things but not have to own what they are saying. And when called on it they hastily claim to be "misunderstood".
What they seem to be missing in this concept is the idea of not just honesty but integrity in our speech. Where not only do we speak truthfuly, but also clearly and without ambiguity about what we mean. And in return we don't assume we "just know" what someone else meant by something they have said, but instead ask them if what we thought they meant was actually what they meant.
And yes, I know some would protest "but what about poetry or story telling?" Ambiguity has a place there! Which I would agree with. Words can be fun and stimulating things to play with. They can open our minds to all sorts of interesting possibilities.
But what is really served by using these tactics in our daily lives? Usually we are just protecting ourselves in some fashion. Afraid of being judged or ridiculed or having someone be angry with us. So instead we end up with all sorts of assumptions and hurt feelings and misunderstandings, which is really messier and harder to untangle.
What we could have instead is real freedom in our speech. Not having to worry about how to "put" somthing to get what we want, or avoid what we don't want. And not getting blindsided by someone elses' interpretation of what we said. What it takes though is courage. Being willing to open up your actual thoughts and feelings to possible criticism. It's a great willpower booster. And if more people tried it, imagine how many politicians and lawyers we could get rid of!
Then there is another type, who just never say what they actually mean. Instead, they use inuendo or other verbal gymnastics to say things but not have to own what they are saying. And when called on it they hastily claim to be "misunderstood".
What they seem to be missing in this concept is the idea of not just honesty but integrity in our speech. Where not only do we speak truthfuly, but also clearly and without ambiguity about what we mean. And in return we don't assume we "just know" what someone else meant by something they have said, but instead ask them if what we thought they meant was actually what they meant.
And yes, I know some would protest "but what about poetry or story telling?" Ambiguity has a place there! Which I would agree with. Words can be fun and stimulating things to play with. They can open our minds to all sorts of interesting possibilities.
But what is really served by using these tactics in our daily lives? Usually we are just protecting ourselves in some fashion. Afraid of being judged or ridiculed or having someone be angry with us. So instead we end up with all sorts of assumptions and hurt feelings and misunderstandings, which is really messier and harder to untangle.
What we could have instead is real freedom in our speech. Not having to worry about how to "put" somthing to get what we want, or avoid what we don't want. And not getting blindsided by someone elses' interpretation of what we said. What it takes though is courage. Being willing to open up your actual thoughts and feelings to possible criticism. It's a great willpower booster. And if more people tried it, imagine how many politicians and lawyers we could get rid of!
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