Of religions, sects and those sorts II

For this post, ignore whether you are religious, or whether you believe in anything specific. I would like to dig deep down to the fundamental issue within any type of religion, sect or for that matter organization that tries to profess an idea to help people. This issue touches on why any kind of belief or idea however wonderful it may be can not truly hope to achieve perfection in the human realm. For the purpose of this thought process, try and ignore any issues you personally have with any belief system used as examples. Christianity, Islam and Buddhism, the latter especially, are ideal to illustrate this flaw.

Each of these religions was founded, or more so originated from one person. Jesus, Mohammed and Buddha had visions and ideas that they brought forth and showed to people. They were convinced of the good that they could bring to the world and I believe they were right to think that. But if you look at the state of those religions now, or more so the believers of those religions one must come to the conclusion that something went wrong along the way. How could there be so many people who supposedly believe and yet seem to miss the point or maybe the true understanding?

Buddhism is a good example to illustrate this with. There are no direct writings from Buddha which could be used as primary source. For all we know he even recognized the danger in language and the possibility of written texts being misinterpreted or misused. But even through writings that merely describe his life or way of thinking one can see the deep wisdom this man had. If his vision and understanding were so clear it is hard to see how there could possibly be divisions within Buddhism. These divisions naturally come down to personal interpretations of what he taught. As language is so vague, there is little hope in making anybody understand a complex idea, let alone enlightenment. Each person when confronted with these teachings, no matter how close to Buddha, would have most definitely misunderstood concepts, or just believed blindly in things they did not truly understand. This in itself would lead to a huge divergence over time and space.

In addition to simple misunderstanding would come the multitude of human flaws. The Christian church and some Islamic leaders are sadly the best examples for this. Failing to understand the concept of enlightenment, all that remains for some people is to fall to desires of materialistic background. The effects of hunger for power and simple greed are visible anywhere and only the most naïve can think that any religion or organization professing to help people is spared of such members.

Following this criticism, one can not ignore the positive sides that most of these organisations have. Even though many people will use any opportunity to their advantage and not stop at manipulating help seeking and good hearted human beings, there is also good. Any person who finds their peace and understanding through such an organization and manages to maintain it throughout their life creates a valid argument for its existence. No matter how misled their belief is, or how untrue it seems from one’s point of view, there is nothing greater than absolute peace and happiness that can be achieved. Would you want to exchange that for some “better truth”?

This brings forth another human aspect that can easily turn into a flaw. The need to prove one’s self right, even if everybody suffers. This list could naturally be led on without end, leading from one human facet to the next, but understanding these is what enlightenment about.

The truth about the world if you truly understand it encompasses everything, from science, through art and human psyche down to religion. The only difference between understanding in bliss and being tormented by outside ideas is a matter of interpretation. When you can interpret everything in such a way that it fits together and does not cause you any mental anguish. When you can look around you without feeling a single negative emotion or thought, then you may believe that you are truly enlightened.

Of religions, sects and those sorts I

A while back I came across a letter that was crucial in its prime essence. The letter was directed to a newspaper in response to an article published on the subject of ayurveda and its use in transcendental meditation (TM). Being written by members and high ranking personalities within a Christian church the general thrust criticized the light hearted way transcendental meditation (TM) was portrayed within the article. In no way do I wish to attack the church or its views nor do I wish to support TM within this post.

The interesting aspect of this letter however was the way TM was described as a sect. The author of this press release incorporated symptoms of young members of TM. These symptoms can most likely be applied to any kind of sect or if you will strong religious belief. They incorporated

- damaged relationship to parents and friends.

- loss of interest in previous activities and hobbies.

- negligence of school, study or work.

- one sided TM directed, sterile conversations.

- overconfidence and fanatical support of the TM doctrine.

Naturally these symptoms do not sound positive but if you ignore the fact that they are being applied to a so called sect it becomes obvious that they would be quite usual. As an example, if a young person who grew up in a completely religion free environment came into contact with Christianity and found it to be an exhilarating idea the symptoms would be exactly the same.

Parents and friends wouldn’t understand the person’s different way of thinking. Previous activities and hobbies would naturally lose importance if they did not have any proper relation to God or Christ. School, study or work, might not incorporate any religious aspects either. And of course conversations would start revolving around this new found interest. Once the person was convinced of the idea and the greatness of it, they would most certainly want to show other people the positive effects of it. Having God on your side would make anybody much more confident in every kind of way.

It seems that these symptoms are only indicators of a person not fitting into the society they live in any longer. The only reason why the church can stamp these symptoms as bad is due to the fact that it is established in this society while TM is not. I am not attacking the Christian Church, but criticizing the general close minded and non open view of things.

Imagine yourself finding enlightenment, finding the understanding everybody else seems to be blind to.

Wouldn’t many of your friends and family frown upon your “new” and different morals?

Wouldn’t for example football or going out to parties lose some of your interest?

Wouldn’t you see through the problems of the normal schooling and a normal job?

If you had the opportunity you would most certainly try to convince other people of this exhilarating way of thinking, initially... Finally the certainty about what you are doing can easily be seen as overconfidence by other people.

The issue at hand is that the church officials do not really understand what is going on in the TM member’s head. And they most likely don’t even want to, considering they are just as fanatical about their own beliefs.

What this effectively burns down to is the fact that one can not forcefully make someone believe or understand an idea or a concept. And whoever does not understand this, will most likely cause more problems than solutions.

So if somebody tries to recruit you, just say thank you and walk away. True understanding can accept that other people are not ready. True understanding does not use manipulative, mind or will bending techniques to brainwash a person. True understanding merely shows a person the direction in which they could head if they want to try to understand.

No enlightened person will try to gain personal benefit from teaching you. No enlightened person needs any made up titles or organizations to teach you. No enlightened person will expect anything in return from you. After all what could you offer that is better than complete understanding and ease of being.

All an enlightened person will want to do is to show you the wonders and joy that lie around and within you. That is one thing this blog is meant to show you, the reader.