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Reflections on the Path
By karen | March 4, 2008
I have long avoided the subject of religion here on this blog. There are so many conflicting opinions and egos attached to the subject. And I have long thought that there are many ways to God, many ways to connect back to our Source, none more right than another, just different ways for different people.
And since I have seldom written about my thoughts on this subject, it is rather ironic that the most popular post ever written on this blog was (at least for me) about that very subject. “Allowing Others and Practicing Non-judgment” from clear back on December 28, 2006 has the honor of being the most popular post that I have ever written here (according to that fancy widget that I installed). While I did not mention religion specifically, my thoughts were on the subject.
So why am I writing about the subject today? Well, I tried to avoid it. And even now as I am writing I know I am censoring my words. I am not writing the stories. I do not want to give them more energy. Or it may be that past experience have told me how futile it is to discuss it.
Yet I feel compelled to write about it. It is where my thoughts are today.
I am participating in Oprah’s webinar about “A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose (Oprah’s Book Club, Selection 61)
Last night was devoted to the first chapter. In the first chapter, Mr. Tolle writes about the Ego Identification with religion and how it contributes to the collective dysfunction of all humanity. “Killing people in the name of God” just doesn’t seem right. How can it be right?
I avoid the subject of religion because I have felt that “collective dysfunction” on a very personal level. I live in a place where a large majority of the people identify with a very predominant religion. My family is in the minority here. Our path is different from most of our neighbors.
It has often hurt my own feelings, my own ego. The anger, confusion and pain that I have felt because of the hurtful comments and actions of others around me has been a function of my own ego fighting against the ego identification of others. I have known this for a long time, and yet even so there are times when I still feel the pain. Sometimes it still hurts. When it affects my family and my children it really hurts.
But I realize that it’s not what others do to us that makes us hurt but it is our own thoughts about what others do to us, and our own thoughts about the others that makes us hurt.
Our lives are never about “them” but only about “us”.
And telling the stories just adds energy to it and it does not necessarily add to our own credibility. So I won’t.
I will allow others to believe as they do and I will not acknowledge them as they tell me that I am wrong because I don’t identify with their ego consciousness. We all have our own path in this life.
My intention is to honor my own path and allow others the same privilege.
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I have loved the book A New Earth
If you are not participating in Oprah’s webinar on A New Earth
You can pick up the book at your local bookstore or through this link at A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose (Oprah’s Book Club, Selection 61)
Popularity: 4% [?]
Topics: Personal Development, Real Life, Reflections |
March 4th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
I agree with you. Difficult to block off other people’s religious fanaticism. And to keep faith in ones own beliefs.
And I also agree that more harm has been done in the name of the Lord/Mohammed/God etc than in non-religious efforts.
March 4th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Hi Karen,
I know just what you mean about censoring your words and avoiding the subject. The real problem is people attempting to cover personal responsibility for actions, thoughts and emotions behind a shield or title - in this case “religion.” At the end of the day it boils down to people; what people do to and with one another - what they do and don’t say. Religion is often used as a crutch and an excuse for bad behaviors, decisions and lack of basic human civility. It is also used as a crutch and excuse for postmortems, grudges and offenses. Both sides conveniently use it for their side of the argument when it suits them. It has always been so. But it’s like blaming traffic for making you angry - simply not possible, it’s not a conscious, living organism. It’s what we do with the influences, how we process them that determine the outcome and our feelings…just like you said. The saddest thing to me is the level of misconceptions and misunderstandings that result. Few people have any idea what other people and their religious organizations believe, yet they often speak about them as if they were experts. They simply associate personal experience with PEOPLE and equate it with the religion as a whole. Ironically they also often go to a different and/or opposing organization to get information, which clearly makes perfect sense. Not. When we realize that we’re all connected as human beings and start treating each other that way we’ll be on the right path. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on it.
Hugs,
Holly
March 4th, 2008 at 7:36 pm
Karen
Thanks for sharing these thoughts. I come from a different religious background and have witnessed the same thing in my own family. I remember talking to my father when my sister was about to get married to a non-Jew. I couldn’t believe how dogmatic he was. I had never seen this side of him, but it had obviously always been there. I tried to get him to see that as long as there is an “us” and a “them” there will be conflict and wars. He just didn’t get it. Tolle’s exploration of religion vs. spirituality and the dysfunction of most organized religions is truly awakening. And I believe that this entire program is going to have a tremendous positive impact on the world. I too am participating and just posted some thoughts at Evolving Times.
Thanks again and I’ll look forward to continuing the discussion with you throughout these 10-weeks!
March 4th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
Karen:
I loved how you ended your post with the idea that we should all respect the choices and ideas that we have for our own lives. And if we have a problem with others for the way they live or for their belief systems, it’s about us, not them. Brilliant!
For example, suppose you see a homeless man drifting about. Do you judge him for it or do you accept that he has a purpose, just like the rest of us? I believe he has a purpose even as a homeless man. We don’t know what God has planned for him - that’s my opinion. So why judge him? If we judge him harshly, we’re judging ourselves.
I love how you’ve resolved to allowing others to believe as they do and not letting others make you feel guilty for your own beliefs. I truly believe that if in our hearts we follow that when dealing with others, then it will be returned back to us. It almost has to because that’s the way the universe is rigged. What goes around comes around.
Thanks for a great article - I enjoyed it.
March 4th, 2008 at 10:09 pm
Anja,
You are so right…and all in the name of God!
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Holly,
My respect for you has increased even more! I know that you and I are kindred spirits on this matter even though the experiences may differ. And I do know very well of what you speak! I Thank you, sincerely.
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Ed,
It is always surprising when dogmatic beliefs show up where we hadn’t seen them before…
You are right…There is no “us” and “them”…we are all connected.
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Stephen,
I’m with you! I believe that we all have a purpose for our lives from the lowliest drifter to the other end of the continuum. We should never judge another…We know not of their life…
and I do believe we are all connected.
Thank you, Stephen. I appreciate you!
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Thank you all for your comments. I appreciate it!
March 5th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
Ohhh Karen - religion is always an “interesting” topic!
I was raised in an Irish Catholic family - it’s not always easy to be a “good Irish Catholic girl” - It is even more difficult to be a “good Irish Catholic Gay girl”
So - me and religion went our separate ways! And my path seemed to be different than many others…
I came to the realization - that my path is mine and it is perfect for me… And the path of other’s is also perfect for them…
So as you have said - I have learned to “honor my path and allow others the same privilege”
I too am participating at the oprah web event! I just posted some of my thoughts at my website and I have started a forum to discuss this event.
March 5th, 2008 at 10:15 pm
Oh Ellie,
I am sure that path wasn’t always an easy one!
And I am sure happy that you found “YOU”!
I don’t believe anyone can find the true Joy in life unless they do come to a place of self-love, self-acceptance and honoring their own path!
I truly believe that we are here to become more of who we really are…and our paths are perfect for us!
Thank you for your comment!
Joy and Blessings to you today!