Morality is not determined by the church you attend nor the faith you embrace. It is determined by the quality of your character and the positive impact you have on those you meet along your journey
That's great, and good, and assumes all humans are good. Unfortunately, we have seen over and over again that some members of this species have turned their thoughts and lives over to the dark side. They thrive on intolerance and hate; lies and innuendo. They make a good living by NOT seeing the good in others. And I think what they do, they do because it benefits them financially. And sadly, I don't see them in any hurry to change.
I was in NYC many years ago at the cathedral of St. John the Devine to attend a ceremony celebrating Oscar Arias Sanchez, then president of Costa Rica, who was being honored with a peace prize of some sort. The Dalai Lama, the previous year's honoree, was to present Senor Sanchez the prize as part of the event. A reception was held beforehand, and I waited in a long line with such notables as Wm. Kunstler & the execrable Rudy Giuliani. When it came to be my turn to greet the Dalai Lama, he wordlessly reached out his hands to envelope mine, (he'd not done the same for *anybody* else,) and I was filled with some ineffable energy. We stood for literally minutes, hands clasped, eyes locked, while others shuffled their feet and coughed quietly, impatient to get on with it. From the depths of his body, in his glorious baritone voice, he said namaste and bowed his head. I did the same and we parted. The ceremony itself was glorious, with Tibetan trumpets and crashing cymbals providing a otherworldly atmosphere amplified by the sacred space in the cathedral.
As a devout atheist and recovering Christian, I was filled with the spirit some would claim to be inspired by a deity of some sort. It was a mental state I'd experienced few times before and since: some by incredible beauty, some by psychedelic substances both natural and synthetic, but non more lasting and meaningful than the few hours at the Cathedral.
To this day I cannot but wonder why the Dalai Lama gave me his blessing, for the lack of a better term. It is an experience I will always remember, and as I type this, tears of joy course down my cheeks with the memory.
That's great, and good, and assumes all humans are good. Unfortunately, we have seen over and over again that some members of this species have turned their thoughts and lives over to the dark side. They thrive on intolerance and hate; lies and innuendo. They make a good living by NOT seeing the good in others. And I think what they do, they do because it benefits them financially. And sadly, I don't see them in any hurry to change.
ReplyDeleteYes, some humans commit bad actions. The Dalai Lama would say that these people are ignorant and deluded.
DeleteBut all beings want peace and happiness--even if, out of ignorance and delusion they act in ways that bring only suffering--to themselves and others.
But our basic goodness, and our common wish for peace and happiness, is our strength.
If we try to act wisely, our actions can have a huge impact on others, and on the world.
Happy thanksgiving Gryph - thanks for the truths you blog
ReplyDeleteExcept presumably failed politicians from Alaska?
ReplyDeleteI was in NYC many years ago at the cathedral of St. John the Devine to attend a ceremony celebrating Oscar Arias Sanchez, then president of Costa Rica, who was being honored with a peace prize of some sort. The Dalai Lama, the previous year's honoree, was to present Senor Sanchez the prize as part of the event. A reception was held beforehand, and I waited in a long line with such notables as Wm. Kunstler & the execrable Rudy Giuliani. When it came to be my turn to greet the Dalai Lama, he wordlessly reached out his hands to envelope mine, (he'd not done the same for *anybody* else,) and I was filled with some ineffable energy. We stood for literally minutes, hands clasped, eyes locked, while others shuffled their feet and coughed quietly, impatient to get on with it. From the depths of his body, in his glorious baritone voice, he said namaste and bowed his head. I did the same and we parted. The ceremony itself was glorious, with Tibetan trumpets and crashing cymbals providing a otherworldly atmosphere amplified by the sacred space in the cathedral.
ReplyDeleteAs a devout atheist and recovering Christian, I was filled with the spirit some would claim to be inspired by a deity of some sort. It was a mental state I'd experienced few times before and since: some by incredible beauty, some by psychedelic substances both natural and synthetic, but non more lasting and meaningful than the few hours at the Cathedral.
To this day I cannot but wonder why the Dalai Lama gave me his blessing, for the lack of a better term. It is an experience I will always remember, and as I type this, tears of joy course down my cheeks with the memory.
Namaste.
Anonymous 11:01...Thank you for sharing this beautiful experience. I think the Dalai Lama is very wise and I hope to read some of his teachings.
DeleteI have a good feeling the Dalai Lama and Good Guy Pope Francis would get along famously.
ReplyDelete