I was recently asked via email if I could help a couple that has two different views on spirituality… one is Christian, the other is not. I responded as follows:
This is a big question that can not be well responded to in a few sentences. It would be good if i could talk with you both in person. However, since that will likely not happen, I suggest Bible quotes, like “the kingdom of heaven dwells within.” As a religion is understood more deeply, one comes to understand the union of all religions.
There are not different religions… not within the depth of life. The differences only exist on the surface. The surface is more about cultures than spirituality. In that sense, religions are half spiritual and half cultural. So your differences really are more cultural than spiritual. If you could both really take that to heart and really understand that from the depth of your being, there would be no problem.
To some, a Christmas tree means a great deal. To others, a temple is what touches their heart. These things run deeply within the heart. Such fine feelings are the fabric of life. It is best if a couple shares the same cultural orientation. However, when they do not, it can be celebrated as a union of opposite values… an enrichment of both person’s lives.
There is one God. All the rest is perspective.
truth sings a transforming song touching each heart in the language it understands.
sharing the truth via this blog is healing the world.. i am in grateful of this blessing
much gracias dear one for your commitment and grace to sharing the truth
humbly cathy
Beautifully expressed. I particularly liked the idea that “religions are half spiritual and half cultural”. It brings simple clarity to a profound issue, potentially making it easier to work with.
I speak from a perspective of a catholic that has spent a time of his life moving away from the church and then coming back to the church in large part because of an awakening to Brahmarshi’s teachings of cultural integrity. This is indeed a sensitive subject due to the level of dogma and karma around such deep rooted religious beliefs, however, I believe there is a great opportunity for Christians to enrich their spiritual connection with God, the church, and Christ through an greater understanding of our relationship with…, as Brahmarshi teaches. This can be said for any religion or cultural beleif. It is by expanding and loosening of our relationship with the concepts and conditionings of our religious beliefs that we can, not drop them, or believe in a new belief system, but enrich a relationship we have had all our life’s, but in a new way. My question is, how can we create a willingness or exceptance to a new view for Christians or other religions? There is such a wall that needs to be taken down to allow for an expanded view of people’s Christian beliefs. Most people are quite literally scared to go outside the lines, to accept a different perspective, even if the end result is a deeper relationship with, not only Christ, but the church, and what they can get out of the church, and how their children can benefit from the church. Once again I am going on and on, and again I humbly thank you all for the opportunity to express my thoughts. This is a topic that touches my heart and I feel a passion for. How can I spread Brahmarshi’s teachings to fellow Christians or peoples of other religions for that matter? How do we spread the word to the vast majority who are so ridgidly fixed in their perspective? I am so lucky to have an amazing wife, who doesn’t neccesarily except all my personal beliefs, but allows for a healthy space for each of us to mutually grow and express our spiritual understanding and relationship. Maybe that’s the key, to give a healthy space to simply allow us all to share our beliefs. Haaaa, I hope writing like this is ok for everyone. It feels good and helps me to get things off my chest. It’s a way to help myself work it all out. God bless you all and thank you,
Erik
I could use some answers here. I can’t speak for Erik but I know I have a tendency to ramble or at least be “lengthy” to say the least. I am not sure if it is appropriate to “dialogue” as I do. If not, will someone please tell me?
Maharshi’s wisdom offered to this couple is consistent with his message to all of us. I agree with Erik in that I do believe it is about our conditioning. My conditioning includes a Catholic belief system that was the positive basis of my earlier life as well as experiences within “the church” that contributed to an opposite perspective. My current conditioning around Catholicism and Christianity triggers significant negative feelings similar to what I had reading Erik’s comments. How ironic as I comment on the “perils” of other peoples’ conditioning, my own hits me in the face. It wasn’t until I realized it was my “relationship with” and NOT Erik’s insightful comments that triggered my bias. Thanks Erik for helping me.
Imagine if Maharshi’s message could be heard not only from a cultural/religious perspective but a political one as well. I guess the problem is for so many people is the fear that relinquishing the conditioning means relinquishing who we are. Probably obvious I guess.
This topic was one of the main driving forces that kept me moving forward in my quest for someone to tell me the truth!One of my family members has stated to me,”I will go to my grave believing that the only way to get into heaven is to except Jesus as your personal savior”Of course.. I would never attempt to change anyone’s mind in the arena of religion.I am also much much more understanding and quite simply no longer angry at the hypocrisy I experienced through the years within the church.Your teachings,Brahmarshi,are the main reason for my shift and now that I am at peace with it..the challenging situations have rarely shown up.I have a business full of people with different perspectives on religion and spiritually.I have found the way (or maybe just the right group of people) to share with everyone, including clients,about you Brahmarshi and no one has felt threatened.That is a beautiful thing.
Thank you Bill for your feedback and kindness. I find it nice to read everyone’s comments and I’m deeply appreciative for the expression of though this blog allows me. It’s great, but I have to say that often after I write, I think, “oh, I don’t know if I expressed myself well there, or I think my comment in retrospect may not have been too relevant to Brahmarshi’s blog.” I guess that’s ok, but what I would like to express is that I am working things out through my own conditionings, preconceived notions, and misunderstandings. Even when I reference Brahmarishi’s teachings, I’m just working with the knowledge as we all are and in no way do I want to seem presumptuous of really knowing his teachings. I probably will be long winded when I comment, but I really truly want to speak as humbly as I can. I speak from my limited perspective, and my comments are just that, a perspective or insight I’m feeling on that day that I ponder and share. I feel a little vulnerable putting things out there but I feel like it is helping me, so thank you all and God bless.
I am rushed for time at the moment… we have a retreat going on right now… so admittedly did not spend sufficient time with the lengthy comments here, but do want to share two thoughts:
1] many are turning away from the church. at first glance that is unfortunate. on the other hand, it speaks to a longing for… in fact a demand for… deeper understanding. that is a good thing. yes? it is also where we can help
2] people feel God within them… deep in their soul. they equate that with the surface religious teachings and traditions of their life. so questioning those surface values feels to them like a mockery of their very soul. nothing could be further from the truth, but understanding that helps us to understand and relate to them with the necessary sensitivity.
Thank you for taking the time to comment for us Brahmarshi.I only wish I could be there for this retreat however I will be there in October!
The retreat must be absolutely wonderful, thank you so much for taking the time to respond Brahmarshi. God bless you.
Maharsh’s two thoughts contained in his last response post precisely explain the response of many Catholics to the systemic sexual abuse of children and vulnerable adults by Catholic clergy and the cover up by their Bishops. The devastating sense of rage and betrayal often morphed into a denial of the magnitude of the problem or blaming the victim. For many this unfortunate choice was less difficult than facing where their questions may lead them; a great example of the power of conditioning resulting in a most painful dilemma for so many well intentioned people.