- Joined
- Jun 18, 2009
- Messages
- 393
Very nicely said Max. Thanks for sharing the wisdom that flows through you.
Dan
Dan
MAXAMEYES;475444 said:Actually, what I was commenting on was the fact that each end of the "bell-shaped-curve" seems to be the most reactionary, or active, or convinced, or adamant in their actions and convictions.
On one end fear of the unknown breeds suspicion of almost anything...solely because it is unknown.
On the other end, fear of the known breeds suspicion of almost anything...solely because it is known...and judged detrimental.
Sadly, it seems, that instead of going forward toward something out of strength, most folks are going backward, away from something, out of one type of fear or another.
The average Joe, smack in the immense body of the bell itself, occupies that vast area between the extremes including the very center in which not much at all is suspected of anything, at all. And they really don't care.
I have a visual I keep in my head where the Bell-Shaped-Curve is inverted. Turned into a chalice of infinite capacity, where those at the edges those capable of the greatest conviction, conceptions, effort, output, acceptance, faith are also those who will receive the greatest, most abundant, most profound, sweetest, most powerful rewards. Not necessarily rewards of the physical type; but true rewards of the spirit.
Now, I have, on MOS, quite often, voiced my opinion regarding what I perceive as the differences between; religion, faith and spirituality.
A drunk can be religious in his quest for booze, addict for his next fix, a politician for "righting" wrongs or a hermit for seeking solitude.
Many religious people have no faith whatsoever and simply go through the motions. Sometimes because they were indoctrinated and can't conceive of doing otherwise. Sometimes because it's all they know and can't conceive that there may be any other alternatives.
I'm always reminded of Stevie Wonder; "When you believe in things you don't understand, and you suffer; Superstition ain't the way!"
"NO" Religion can also BE a religion. For some people no anything is their religion too.
Faith, for me, is the belief that there is far more to each of us, individually & collectively, than we can see, or feel, or, again, conceive of. And when one gives of themselves, for the benefit of others, without thought of personal gain for themselves; this is faith.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/1644424...t/hero-saves-teen-who-fell-nyc-subway-tracks/
This story, to me, is an almost perfect example of an act of pure faith.
Also an example of where, I believe, most mainstream Religions, especially Christianity, just plain get-it-wrong. And the fist waving "atheists" just don't get at all.
Just imagine what the world would actually be like if selfishness and greed were to be replaced by pure altruism.
What would this world be like if each and every one of us had the faith required to give up everything-even our lives-for the benefit of a stranger, even if we could never conceivably observe the results of our sacrifice.
That's the lesson of the Cross that's been ignored so long.
Which brings me to the Spirit. That immutable piece of us that connects us to our God... and to each other. Forever.
And the reason why we're here, to learn, dream, share, sacrifice, and uplift... together. Giving of yourself in order to benefit others.
The "body" may "suffer" but the spirit will grow and wizen and soar and gain in infinity more than we as little mortals can conceive of.
We all then, as humans and beings, grow and progress forward.
You are making that happen. Thank you.