| What's Your Choice From The Spiritual Menu? |
[Dec. 2nd, 2007|07:15 am] |
| [ | mood |
| |  contemplative | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Vertical Horizon - You're A God | ] |
After the Zen meditation workshop, we were offered a booklet written by the Zen Master as an introduction for those interested in beginning Zen meditation. I've finally gotten around to reading it, and it is a very interesting read.
For a very long I have been fasciniated by the richness of spiritual expression, and understanding that has developed throughout the course of human history. I find it very enlightening to read about authentic spiritual expereinces, and insights from all spiritual traditions. I beleive that wisdom is found in many different places, and comes from many different source. I reject the notion that any single group, or even individual human holds the totality of wisdom. There is always more to learn, and always someone it can be learned from.
I have been accused of basically 'mixing and matching' as I see fit. Two different people have accused me of just taking what I want from different sources, and, essentailly, trying to build my own spiritual tradition. Nothing could be further from the truth. I am Roman Catholic. I have yet to find a spiritual tradition, or ideal that speaks to me more strongly. There is a Truth behind the faith fo the Roman Catholic Church that resonates with my soul.
This may sound strange since I have said that I reject the notion that any one group holds the totality of wisdom, and I even include spiritual Truth in this sentiment. I think its important to understand my most fundamental, and foundational, beleif about spiritual Truth. I beleive that there is one, definite, and complete spiritual Truth. I beleive this spiritual Truth, much like the Grand Unified Feild Theory, exp-lains everything. This Truth explains the totality of human spiritual expereince. It explains the soul, and even the very nature of human conciousness, conscience, and what it means to be human. However, I also beleive that such a Truth would be infinite, and of much subtle simplicity, that it is beyond a merely human understanding. Rather, humans understand aspects of it, some more than others. I beleive all, legitimate spiritual traditions contain some of this truth. Though, I don't beleive they all have an equal share.
I think only by exmaining the various spiritual traditions can we gain a deeper insight into this spiritual Truth. Think of it like polishing a gemstone. If you only rub one side of the gemstone then you only ever see the shine that facet provides. To see the whole gemstone's brilliance you must rub various parts fo it, and you may even require different materials.
On a personal level, I compare spiritual traditions to food, since they are how we 'feed' our souls. Each of us have favorite dishes that suit us best. They provide the nourshiment our bodies need, and the flavours we crave. However, it is good form time to time to eat different dishes. They help us to apprecaite our favorite foods in new ways, and we may even find something that also helps to provide nourshiment for our 'spiritual bodies'.
So, do I simply pick and choose what I like, discarding any part of any tradition that does not suit me, like an indescriminate eater at a buffet? No, the spiritual 'food' provided by the Roman Catholic Church best feeds my 'spiritual body'. Whenever I look at another spiritual tradition, I always exmaine it through the 'lense' of my Catholic faith. However, since it is my soul that must be nourished, I exmaine my Catholic faith based on how well it nourishes me. |
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l337_0n1's journal
