The summer's ending. When the patoot did that happen?
Now, Scotland is more than just a dream. I have to think about packing. I have to think about my classes. I have to put my most sociable face forward and make as many friends and have as many scottish experiences as I can. I need to take pictures of sheep, and tag them as members of the Ninth Street Hooligans. I need to send postcards.
I know I'm probably not going to do half the things I think I'm going to do, but I want to try.
I've also had a new lease on life. I know. Revelations.
Whenever someone cuts in front of me in a lane, I get angry. But then, instinctively, I say "it's alright, Land Rover. I forgive you."
I find myself looking at people and events through a different set of eyes. I don't hold onto bitterness as tightly as I used to. I think all the prophets have been having an effect on me (yes, religious studies again, but I'm serious. I'm reading the bible again.). Mostly Paul, and yes, Jesus. I'm not going to be born-again. Let me say that. I'm not suddenly going to think that Christ is Lord above all others and by following Him my soul would be saved, and start going to church. I respect others who believe that and do that. I just don't. That's not who I am.
I see the beauty of Jesus's words, and the heartwarming messages of Corinthians. I see the fierceness of Kali and the magnificence of Shiva. I can see why some people see Moroni as the one who led the way to the golden plates, and why some people believe Allah revealed the Koran to Muhammad.
BASICALLY
I've accepted the messages of religion (love thy neighbor, build a community, be charitable towards others). Being a major in this field has opened me up to differing ideologies, and also has led me to see the inherent drives that all people have. The big questions are answered in different, beautiful ways.
And I've been cleaning.
What's up with that.
2 comments:
Whoo, Moroni! Yay for being a Mormon. And it is imperative to be tolerant of other people's beliefs and understand where they're coming from, even if you don't necessarily accept or agree with them.
I love the fact that people can find satisfaction and contentment in religion. If you really look at the core of what the doctrines of any religion teach, it's that they teach you to be a good person (although that is an incredibly hard thing to define and to become), to alleviate the suffering of those around you and by doing so alleviate your own suffering.
I think some religions are closer to an essential truth than others (e.g. scientology is one of the ones that are wide of the mark), which is why I belong to the church I do. I am also entitled to have that opinion, and someone is entitled to disagree with me. It's wonderful.
Religion can also be a very scary thing, too, when people try and force it on others, or follow it without thinking. To be sure, religion requires faith (not to be confused with ignorance or stupidity), as well as thought. To take a chapter from the Zen tradition, religious understanding requires the resonance of the heart/mind. The Zen tradition hit the nail on the head in that respect, I think.
I agree with you on all counts.
Especially the Zen tradition.
They seem to have their head on their shoulders.
Also:
"All major religious traditions carry basically the same message, that is love, compassion and forgiveness the important thing is they should be part of our daily lives." - Dalai Lama
I know, different kind of Buddhist, but I thought it was great.
Post a Comment