Our Long Journey with Mystery-Judaism -Part 3

        Our Long Journey with Mystery

Part 3:-    Judaism – 

One God,the Law, Prophets & Wisdom

‘Then you will begin to seek Yahweh your God, and if you pursue Him with your heart and soul, you will eventually find Him’.Dt4 :29

This series turns its attention to Judaism, the first of 3 Faith Traditions rooted in the Middle East. Judaism, Christianity and Islam are all monotheistic religions that have their roots in a long line of Patriarchs beginning with Abraham. They are often referred to as people of the Book. But perhaps more correctly they are people with a Book. Judaism is the oldest of the 3 religions, founded around 3500 years ago. Its story, scriptures and beliefs are foundational for Christianity and have relevance for Islam.

Like all other Faith Traditions, Judaism has a complex set of beliefs, traditions, rules and regulations. These, as in other religions, have led to ‘divisions’ or ‘branches’. However, there are two great truths or that underpin this great Religion and these are ‘Love of God' and 'Love of self and others’. Their story is one of a people who gradually grew in understanding of their God and realised that God is essentially loving, forgiving, and compassionate to all and enthusiastically on the side of the poor and oppressed. In this very short reflection, I intend to focus on the Jewish Bible (Tanakh) as this is the story of their growth in a covenant relationship with, and understanding of, God.

Judaism is arguably one of the most misunderstood, oppressed and persecuted Faith Traditions and particularly over the past 2 millennia. Much of this oppression has been caused by ignorance and prejudice, particularly from Christians, who falsely ‘blamed the Jews’ for the death of Jesus the Christ, who paradoxically was a Jew. Jews believe that they are a ‘chosen people’ who have a covenant relationship with God. This is firmly rooted in their scriptures, when God tells them ‘I shall maintain my covenant between myself and you, and your descendants after you …. I shall be your God and the God of your descendants‘- Genesis 17.7.

The Hebrew 'Bible' (Tanakh) The Tanakh charts the story of an oppressed and lowly people as they journey from slavery to liberation. This is both an inner and outer journey. It has three main parts which represent 3 stages in the growth of the Jews and their covenant relationship. It is important to realise that although the Christian Old Testament is basically the Jewish Bible, its interpretation and reading are different for a Jew. Basically it is ‘their’ story.

The first stage of the Tanakh is the Torah (Teaching and Law) ' I am who I am ' (Exodus 3:5), which contains the 5 books of Moses the Prophet. This focuses on the everlasting Covenant between God and His people, the story of their Exodus and liberation and the laws to be observed.  It charts the  beginnings of an ego -centric,  immature and simple faith and of the people's need for a set of laws and regulations to provide firm boundaries.

The second stage is the Nev’im (The Prophets) ' The Lord hears the cry of the poor’ (Psalm 34). The Prophets emerge to   challenge the establishment, i.e. the Kings and Priests, as they 'drift' away from God. It emphasises God’s preference for the poor, the widows and orphans and stresses the need to remain focused on the prime message of the Covenant and God’s concern for the oppressed, the outsider and the outcast. This is a necessary 2^nd and transforming developmental stage both for individuals and all societies. Otherwise our  ego-centric desire for power and control can so easily create  both an unjust society and a God in ones  own image!  The Prophets always challenge this tendency towards self-indulgence and self- idolatry.

The third stage is outlined in the Ketuvim (Wisdom Writings) ' Lay aside immaturity, and live, and walk in the way of insight” (Proverbs 9:6) .This comprises some of the Psalms and the Books of Wisdom. These focus on the non-duality of God. By non-duality I mean God is not Either: Or, God is Mystery and is Both: And. Wisdom literature goes beyond the immaturity of a rigorous attention to the Law and a literal interpretation of scripture. It also transcends the patriarchal system with its ego drive for power and control and its tendency to subjugate women and reserve power and position for men. Incidentally, ‘Wisdom’ is often referred to as being feminine.

Today, the UK has the world’s 5th largest Jewish Community. It has been in Britain since Roman times. Because the Church felt that lending money was un-Christian, the role was handed over to Jews. The result was a form of hypocritical prejudice against Jews.  Since then there have been many persecutions of Jews. Judaism is not merely a Faith but is both a way of life and a communal Faith Tradition. The major ‘split’ in Judaism, like in some other faiths, is the Scriptures. Orthodox Jews hold that the Hebrew Scriptures are ‘sacrosanct’ and 'unalterable', whereas other forms of Judaism believe in the Rabbinical Tradition which allows for both a written and oral tradition.

I end with a story about Rabbi Hillel, probably the most famous and revered Rabbi of all. It demonstrates the inherent wisdom of Judaism and the Jewish practice of ' Midrash’ that involves staying with the questions until life itself reveals the answers.  The story goes like this ……

A certain non-Jewish "know-all" came to the home of Hillel to scoff at the Torah.  He said, "Teach me the Torah while I am standing on one foot." Hillel responded. "No problem! The main idea of the Torah is 'Love your neighbour as yourself.' Everything else is commentary. Now, if you're really interested, go and study the commentary."  So impressed with Hillel's response, according to Jewish Tradition, was the visitor, that he took Hillel up on his instructions, began to study the Torah seriously, and became a Jew.

Connecting the Heart & Mind

Connecting the Heart & Mind

Satsang - Seeking Together - Helping to Create
A Planetary Vision -  A Universal Heart of Compassion 

Make my joy complete 
by being of a single mind, 

one in love, one in heart 

and one in mind.

St Paul ( Phillipians )

Finding Our inner Compass

This Blog contains some notes based our our recent Satsang Day of Reflection held at the Friends Meeting House in Wolverhampton ( UK) on Saturday 14th March 2015.

At any moment, you have a choice, 

that either leads you closer to your spirit 

or further away from it.

Thich Nhat Hanh –

Buddhist Monk, Author, Poet, and Peace Activist

We opened our Day of Reflection with the quote from Thich Nhat Hanh. Our  Day  focused on the importance of connecting the Mind with the Heart. We had  two Video Inputs from Ken Robinson & Adele Diamond, which  focused on the importance of Emotional Development for all, especially children

However, their content also apply to us as adults, as we too were , and still are to some extent, children. In addition, our Western Society focuses mainly on the mind and very often fails to educate the heart. Because spirituality transcends and includes all aspects of creation and life, the issues that  both Ken and Adele address are vital for our human family and planet.

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Throughout the day we  had  some short reflections from different Faith Traditions on the importance of the Heart, and its capacity for a Compassionate Presence,  on the Spiritual Journey 

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But first  to prepare for our HEART/MIND day -  we took part in a simple opening ‘ Practice’  of Balancing the Earth- Heart and Mind. This was based on Daoism and also some ideas from Neuro-Science and simple Mindful Practices that help balance the brain.It involved  some simple body movements, combined with breathing that Balanced  the Earth- Heart and Mind

Before watching our 1st Video input we had a reflection from Hinduism

The Hindu Scriptures ( The Vedas)  are the oldest in the World and contain the inherited wisdom of thousands of years. They  record reflections from the many Holy Sages  and Teachers of Hinduism 

( both men and women).

 The Upanishads ( which roughly translate as a 'Teaching Sitting at  the Foot of a Master' ) are considered by many to be 'pearls of the Hindu Scriptures' 

The following is from the Chandoga Upanishad.

OM 

In the centre of the castle of Brahman, our own body, there is a small shrine in the form of a lotus flower, and within can be found  a small space. We should find who dwells there, and we should want to know him.

And if anyone asks ‘ who dwells in a small shrine in the form of a lotus flower in the centre of the castle of Brahman ? Whom should we want to find and to know ? ‘   we can answer.

‘ The little space within the heart is as great as this vast universe. The heavens and the earth are there, and the sun, and the moon, and the stars; fire and lightning and winds are there;  and all that now is and all that is not : for the whole universe is in  God and God dwells within our heart ‘

Om - Shanti

Chandogya Upanisha Hindu Scripture 

OUR FIRST VIDEO INPUT

This was a thought provoking, challenging and humorous talk given by Sir Ken Robinson to a conference arranged by the Dalai Lama Centre in British Columbia in 2011 .

He  addressed the lack of balance in educating our children and ourselves and  the need for humanity to develop our Emotional and Artistic Intelligence and to beware of our Western Tendency for DUALISM and false ‘choices’     i.e it is Either ( this ) : Or.(that) 

Life, creation and the Cosmos is not dualistic it is  BOTH : AND 

Click here to watch Sir Ken Robinson


First Period of Personal Reflection

Before our time of Reflection a short input from Islam – a tradition noted  not only for its great input in both the Arts and Science but also for its emphasis on  the virtues of

Mercy and Compassion

ISLAM - Peace - Mercy and Compassion

At the heart of Muslim belief, as taught by the Prophet Mohamed ( Peace be upon Him)  is the principal of    ONENESS (tawhid)   at the heart of  Allah ( God) 

This oneness, or unity, has been described by Muslim Scholars and Teachers as a Oneness that  unites  the mind with the heart.In Islam, the heart is intrinsically linked to the concept of compassion which is an ability to feel with the other.

Furthermore, Islam sees the sentiments of love and compassion as expressions of the interconnected oneness of all human beings that ultimately both mirror and  reflect the oneness and unity of  Allah (God )  

In the Hadith ( which contains the saying of God speaking  through the Prophet – Peace be upon Him ) we find the following as one of many  :

“My mercy takes precedence over my anger”

and in the Q'uran  ( The Holy Book of Islam) one of the many ' mercy sayings' of Allah is

“My Mercy encompasses all things” (Qur’an 7:156).

So educating both our Heart and Our Mind to the deep Spiritual Truths that are at the Heart of All Faith Traditions is very important

We then took some time for Personal Reflection after which we returned for a short reflection before lunch

Afternoon Session

We started the afternoon with an input from Buddhism

Buddhism

The Buddha taught  about FOUR SUBLIME or PERFECT states of the Mind  designed to lead one towards enlightenment. These 4 states ALL involved   cultivating a steady and calm heart . 

The 4  Sublime  states were

Love or Loving-kindness

Compassion (karuna)

Sympathetic Joy 

Equanimity 

It is the 2nd of these that particularly causes 'enlightened souls  or Boddhi Satvas to remain in this world in order to help others. One who is considered by many to be a Bodhi Satva is the Dalai Lama. and the following quote from him , regarding the nature of ALL Religion, displays his Wisdom, understanding and compassion:

“This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness.  ... If you want to be happy practice compassion”  Dalai Lama.

As Sister Ishpriya, the Spiritual Guide of the Satsang Association says.

' You can only give to others in  the manner you give to yourself'

So SELF- COMPASSION - connecting the Heart and Mind is  a very important Spiritual Sadhana or Practice.

We then took part in a short practice that encourages EQUANIMITY & balances the Heart & Mind.  

This was based both on Tai Chi and Energy Therapies that involved balancing the  Brain. It focused on  thew three very powerful emotions  of PANIC - ANGER and ANXIETY.  These, if unchecked, can ' fire up' the  Limbic Brain and shut down the pre-frontal cortex. 

2nd Video Input

This was a talk  by Adele  Diamond  ( a renowned expert on Children and their psychology)  to a conference arranged by the Dalai Lama Centre in British Columbia in 2013

   

Once again, her input related not only to children and others but also to ourselves.  She reminds us of the power of our expectations for good or ill. In other word, we can live up or down to the expectations either others have of us or we have for our self.

Therefore, we need to look after ourselves and remember that , we cannot look after others if we don't learn self care . This is wisely outlined in the following quote from Sister Ishpriya.

' You can only give to others in  the manner you give to yourself'   Sister Ishpriya

Click here  to watch the video

After listening to Adele Diamond we had a short pause and then  before time for Personal Reflection an  Input from the Sikh Tradition on the important  virtue of Compassion 

incidentally, Sikhs refer to ‘God’ as Sat or Truth .  

And ' Sat' is the root of the word Sat - sang  

Seekers or Followers of Truth

Sikhism 

One  God - One Truth  ( Sat)

In Sikhism  there is the tradition of wearing 5 symbolic K's . These are the Turban, Comb, Bracelet, Undergarment and a dagger ( all beginning with the letter K in Punjabi) .

Just as the 5 Ks are symbols so too they are  5 very important virtues.

These 5 virtues underpin  the Teachings of  the ten Gurus, beginning  with Guru Nanak and finally Guru Gobind Singh.. These virtues are also recorded in the Sikh Holy Book, which is the guide and Master ( Guru) for all Sikhs. 

In the Holy Book,  Sikhs are encouraged to devote their life to the pursuit and development of these virtues.

The five  virtues are

Compassion ,Truth, Contentment , Humility  and Love 

COMPASSION

The first of these  Compassion  is a fundamental teaching of the Sikh religion   and the Holy Book contains many references to this very important virtue .  The following are two of many

1.    ‘ If  You have no compassion; the Lord’s Light does not shine in you.   
You are drowned,  drowned in the world's   entanglements'

2.      “Keep your  heart content and cherish compassion for others; this way alone can your holy vow be fulfilled "

After a time for personal reflection we  watched a short video clip from Sister Ishpriya bbefore met in Satsang to share anything that the Day had given to us before we finished.

Deep Listening - a short talk by Sister Ishpriya 
(spiritual guide of the International Satsang Association)

Deep listening, both to self and others is an extremely important spiritual practice. It helps develop a heart of compssion and coonnects both Heart and Mind in a compassionate 'presence' to self and the other. Here is a short excerpt from a DVD  of a 6-dayy Retreat by Ishpriya

Sound & Silence - Deep Listening - Sr Ishpriya

We ended the day being led by Angela in a lovely Sacred Circle Dance that celebrated the oneness of creation. This was based on the culture of the Hawaiian Islands and reminded us of the role our  Heart - Brain  can play in cherishing and reverencing Earth, Sky, Sea and Mountains.


Our next meeting is the 2nd Saturday in May and will be advertised both on this Blog and our our Website www.satsang-companionship.org.uk

Buddhism - Our Long Journey with Mystery Part 2

We continue the Series on 6 of the Major Faith Traditions. Each reflection is a 'short look' at a particular Tradition.

         Our Long Journey with Mystery

Part 2 :-    Buddhism – the Compassionate Way

'What we are today 

comes from our thoughts of yesterday

 and present thoughts build our life tomorrow:

our life is the creation of our mind'   

                                              ( Gautama the Buddha)

Buddhism, the Compassionate Way, is the second of the great Faith Traditions to come out of the rich fertile spiritual soil of India. Actually, it is not technically a religion but it is a great spiritual storehouse and tradition. The Buddha, whose name means 'enlightened one', resolutely refused to discuss the existence or otherwise of God. The Buddhist Scriptures record his response when questioned on God  as; ' The Buddha kept Noble silence'.  For Buddhism, this is not the right question, it is more about living a life in a compassionate and right way and thus finding enlightenment.

Buddhism, like Christianity, is founded both on the teachings of a Guru or Master and trying to follow the example of the Master's life. In addition, both discouraged any attention directed towards them and pointed their disciples towards the real Source and purpose of life. In short, both led by example, were not dominated by the ego and its attachments but rose above or transcended it. Therefore, some background on the Buddha and his  search for enlightenment will help place the essence of his teaching in a context.

Gautama, the Buddha, was born in the 6^th century b.c.e in Northern India. He was the son of a nobleman and was reputed to have been pampered and isolated from the rigours of real life such as illness, poverty and death. What was it that led him towards his 3 great acts of renunciation, enlightenment and teaching?

Renunciation    Legend suggests that his renunciation began with what is termed ‘ Four passing sights’ . The first was the sight of  an old woman which led him to question; ‘ will I too become old’?. The 2^nd was an ill elderly man and he wondered, ‘will I too get ill’? The 3^rd was seeing a funeral pyre and he wondered’ ‘ will I too die’ ? and the 4^th was when he saw a sannyasi (holy one) who had renounced the world. This led him to reflect on these questions and at 29 he renounced his family, riches and the world to seek the inner truth.

Enlightenment   He wandered for 6 years studying with holy men, meditating and absorbing the wisdom of the sages. He was weak, emaciated and restless and arrived at Bodh Gaya in Northern India, sat under a Boddhi Tree (wisdom tree) and entered a deep meditation that lasted 7 days. He awoke and realised that there was a ‘Middle Way’ between pleasure and asceticism. He sat  in  meditation for a further 7 days and awoke to his true self and reached enlightenment.

Teaching  Like all truly enlightened people, the Buddha then spend the rest of his life teaching about ‘The Middle  Way’  with its  two essential teachings : The Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Right  Path to enlightenment.

Four Truths  the first truth is that all life is Dukkha ( suffering). Secondly, the origins of suffering lie in the root evils of greed, ignorance and hatred. Thirdly, the end of suffering comes when the fire and desire of these roots are extinguished, when there is an absence of  ‘attachment’. Finally, there is a Eight Fold  Marga ( path) that leads to liberation.

Eightfold Path.   The eight  right elements on the path to liberation are; Right :- Vision, Purpose/Resolve, Speech, Action, Livelihood, Effort, Awareness/Mindfulness, Concentration.  Practicing each of these will slowly burn the 3 roots of greed, ignorance and hatred and  dissolve the Ego-Self to reveal the Real Self . Many have heard of the current trend for Right Mindfulness, film stars and Presidents are said to practice it. However, Buddhism advises that the eight elements come as a complete package and cherry picking one or two is merely a starting point. The ego is deep rooted and particularly attached to the deep roots of greed, ignorance and hatred. The journey inward and its tasks are to rid the ego of all attachments. To quote the Buddha ' Who makes unbounded love to become mindful, sees the attachments all destroyed' . It is important to recognise that the Buddha did not die to desire but to the attachment to desire.

Like other great Faith Traditions, Buddhism has many 'schools', two major ones are Theravada 'the way of the elders'  and Mahayana ' the great vehicle' (with many schools or types of Buddhist teachings).  Both agree on the central teachings of  the Buddha and their differences are not important in this short article.  However, the latter, particularly the Zen and Tibetan schools have, arguably, had more influence in the West . Two major examples are the Vietnamese Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh and the Dalai Lama. Both have made major contributions in the areas of non-violence and the quest for World Peace. I would like to end this short article with some words from the Buddhist Scriptures. It is a parable told by the Buddha, as he noticed some insects being attracted to the flame of a lamp on a dark night .

'Those insects see the flame and misunderstand it. They think it offers them happiness but in truth it brings them misery and death.  In the same way human beings see bright flames; the flames of wealth. power, honour and fame. They rush towards these flames, thinking that they offer life and happiness - only to find that they bring misery and death. So it is wise  turn away from what you see and hear outside yourselves; and turn inwards towards your own mind and soul'.   

Powerful and wise words, that have stood the test of 2500 years, with which to end these short reflections on Buddhism