The Blind Men and an Elephant

 Almost daily I witness people of faith, science, and varying philosophy, wrestle over their seemingly contradictory worldviews and beliefs.  I'm convinced it's counterproductive, and actually hinders us all from truly embracing that in which we truly seek. There is an old Indian story, told in different variations, with a powerful message, called 'The Blind Man and the Elephant.'  I believe it holds great Wisdom for the day.  

The story:

"In various versions of the tale, a group of blind men (or men in the dark) touch an elephant to learn what it is like. Each one feels a different part, but only one part, such as the side or the tusk. They then compare notes and learn that they are in complete disagreement.

The stories differ primarily in how the elephant's body parts are described, how violent the conflict becomes and how (or if) the conflict among the men and their perspectives is resolved.

In some versions, they stop talking, start listening and collaborate to "see" the full elephant. When a sighted man walks by and sees the entire elephant all at once, they also learn they are blind. While one's subjective experience is true, it may not be the totality of truth. If the sighted man was deaf, he would not hear the elephant bellow. Denying something you cannot perceive ends up becoming an argument for your limitations."  (Summary taken from Wikipedia)

Buddha said:
O how they cling and wrangle, some who claim
For preacher and monk the honored name!
For, quarreling, each to his view they cling.
Such folk see only one side of a thing.

All of us cling to some truth, as we should, but none of us have the right to claim it's the only truth, or somehow superior truth.  No matter how learned, enlightened, or 'lucky' we think we are, there is a pressing need for us to accept the fact that we are all still so - so - limited.   Yes, hold tight to what you know is true.  Do!  Love it - embrace it - celebrate it!  But as you do, be careful of judging, or negating, what another holds sacred. As well, accept that the understanding around your truth is likely flawed.  And, in light of this reality, stay humble!  We can all be so right, and yet, so wrong.  Learn from each other; find common ground; seek better vision - yet always use caution in having an elitist perspective and attitude.   

We are all on a journey, and in many senses, a blind one.  What a wonderful world it would be if we could unite our vision and embrace the 'elephant' in a whole new way;  if our different personalities, histories, perspectives, and ways of  reasoning were not seen as a threat, but instead, a blessing to be had and learned from!  How much better we could 'see!'  Yes?  Yes!  That is my prayer, anyhow.   Peace and Love. 

 "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known."  1 Corinthians 13:12

Responding to the Offensive

I came across this post this morning, as I was scrolling through my Facebook, and my immediate response was...

OUCH.   Super offensive.


Where do they get off?  



Response from the masses:

And then I watched as 4 hours passed, over 3,000 people hit 'like', and hundreds were writing comments.  They seemed almost eager to bash, vent, and give their 2 cents.  There were valid points being made, and foolish ones being shouted.


Too many people make surface judgments on religion without ever risking a thorough examination, or subjecting themselves to spiritual experiences.  They criticize from the outside, in.  To those individuals, I plead for you to take another/better look.  Discover all the good that does get done in the name of religion.  I challenge you to read the Holy Books, holy writings, study the heritages of our ancestors, read about the lives of all the prophets, put all the puzzle pieces together before you determine what's nonsense.  We only have this one life, seize it.  Wrestle with it.  Start asking the big questions.  

but carrying on to the disconnection issue...

WHY IT'S NOT TRUE:

It's not true within religion. I can vouch for this myself.  Being a christian for 13 years, and a pastor for 5, I was immersed in the 'body of Christ.'  It might be a sweeping generalization, but people within religion are strongly connected,  having bonds and brotherhood/sisterhood unique to them.  It is something beautiful, and divine.  I have shared tears and prayers with friends, where I knew God was in our midst.  I have felt connection in worship where I felt like our very presence was glowing.  There is unity within true believers of God, that I am convinced.

But the image hit a nerve for another reason.  

Where it can be true:

Sadly, religion has also caused disconnectedness.  Regardless where the fault lay, many individuals are growing animosity towards the religious.  And, if we look in all directions, can we blame them?  Wars fought, and lives have been ruined in it's name.  Condemnation, and persecution, not only done, but defended  over the years!  Great sins have been committed. That is a given.   Religion is a very powerful vessel for God, but when working within the human race it is naturally flawed.   Because we are flawed.  (Not God)

One source of disconnectedness comes unintentionally.   I apologize for the sweeping generalization, but the religious can tend to alienate themselves by creating their own cultures.  And for lots of different reason, hardly malicious.  It's human to bond to those who we share common beliefs and passions with.  (I crave like-minded people all the time!)   Yet, it does come with the cost of creating walls; walls that need not be formed.


The other struggle comes with religion's relationship with dogma/doctrine and it trumping all else. Christianity, in particular, has a reputation of scaring people away with 'hell fire and brimstone' theology.  People hear 'only one way' claims followed by scare tactics, and it doesn't sit well within them.   Should it?  Is that the intro speech God would make as the compelling reason to choose him?  And do we even know enough about such things, as the exact ramifications of judgement, to make such damning claims?   My personal opinion?  The interpretation of God's word should never reign supreme over His word itself.  Interpretation, when formed into doctrine, eliminates the chances of other explanations to scripture, while also limiting the possibility of  God showing himself in new ways.  The ten commandments were written on stone, not church doctrine.  Remember, we are fallible beings working with limited information here.  

Do we really want to solidify the details so rock solid?
 Do we really want to, ultimately, characterize God in a light that seems unfitting to so many?

God is inclusive.  He is Holy, He is Just, and His Love reigns supreme.    He is beckoning for our presence, longing for us to get our hearts right.  Our God is inclusive.  You bet your bananas on it.  But if we go to religion, knowing in our hearts who God is, and are presented doctrine/opinion that goes against our guts about His ways, where do we go?     Do we say, 'Next' and move on to the next church or religion?  Do we KEEP on making more denominations, more churches, more sets of beliefs?  Or, do we decide to change the framework?    Strip away the interpretation, the inserting of opinion alongside the word of God, and respect the the way the Spirit moves through it AND us.  If we differ on interpretation, so be it.  Can't we trust God to work it out?  If we approach it all with fruits of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self control), can't we trust that the Spirit of God can do the rest?  

 Perhaps a spiritual movement is on the way.  And maybe, we need not to get so frazzled over it.  Maybe we could just let God work in His mysterious ways, through faiths of all kind.  To keep all things sacred, like my love of Jesus, and yet not be nailed  to any doctrine that contradicts the character of God;  to respect the Spirit of God, in us and scripture, knowing that both could be fallible and yet both could be sacred truth.    

Or, maybe I'm just a dreamer.
 But, I know I'm not the only one.

Namasté

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