Look
to Yourself
“...If
you wish to have spiritual truth, you must investigate it this way:
Do not, O Kalamas, be satisfied with hearsay or tradition, with
legend or what is written in the great scriptures, with conjecture or
logic, or with liking for a view or disliking it, or saying, 'This
comes from a great master or teacher.' But look to yourselves...”
The
Buddha
If
you truly want to know truth, there is no substitute for the work of
investigating for oneself. There is no ultimate truth, there is only
your truth, and my truth, and the next person's truth. When we don't
do the work of self-investigation, we are like lambs who can be
easily rounded up and driven over a cliff. Just ask the folks in
Germany during the Third Reich; they believed, they followed, and the
results will live in infamy forever.
We
all love a charismatic leader; someone who exudes confidence, charm
and know-how. But the same charisma that draws us to that person, can
turn dark and dangerous when they gain power over us. Think Jim Jones
and the cyanide laced Kool-Aid, or Charlie Manson and his lethal
tribe of girls.
In
choosing what to believe is truth, we must cut out all the clatter of
celebrity, and media moguls, and cultural trends and go within. We
must ask and ask again, “What is my truth? What is true for me?”
The further advice of the Buddha: “Only when you know in yourself
when things are wholesome, blameless, commended by the wise, and when
adopted and practiced lead to welfare and happiness, should you
practice them. When they lead to virtue, honesty, loving-kindness,
clarity, and freedom, then you must follow them.”
If
you wish to lead a grace-filled life, seek your own truth; ask for
guidance from within, and you will never be led astray.
In
the Spirit,
Jane
1 comment:
thanks for the word today, Jane. It is serendipitous because I’m reading Karen King’s The Gospel of Mary of Magdala right now. Though only a fragment of that gospel remains, it has a fascinating point of view. One thing that is similar to your post here is the warning that is given about anyone who claims the Son of Man is coming to save them. The Gospel of Mary proclaims that “the Child of True Humanity” (which is how that “Son of Man" phrase is translated) is made known within you.
The traditional gospels have warnings saying don’t listen to anyone who says the Son of Man if here or there. THose passages are warning against false messiahs who will lead people astray, but the Gospel of Mary is even more radical than that. Mary advises the disciples to find the Child of True Humanity within themselves.
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