The Dalai Lama Says:
On August - 1 - 2010
Dalai Lama: “Spiritual practice involves, on the one hand, acting out of concern for others’ well-being. On the other, it entails transforming ourselves so that we become more readily disposed to do so.”
Just thought this was so eloquent and true. I love the Dalai Lama’s ideology, quiet intelligence, and life force. I’m not a follower of organized Western religion (early Catholicism beat it out of me), but I definitely consider myself spiritual. I think this hits the nail right on the head and I appreciate the Eastern religions’ values placed upon the population as a whole— worship is not just viewed as a vehicle for individuals’ wants, needs, desires, and ultimate redemptions. Selfless and what I imagine true spirituality to be.
webster Says:
I am with you on the Catholicism beating it our of me thing. There was also the “One true church” thing, and the “infallibility of he pope” thing, when popes throughout history were responsible for heinous acts, but I digress.
What I was going to say is that followers of Eastern religions, or Eastern spiritualists are not all selfless individuals. The one true goal of meditation is enlightenment, i.e. to become God. Many follow that path for just that reason, and not for the selfless service ha comes along with it.
I am NOT saying that Eastern spiritualists are all that way, however, just that many are.
Posted on August 2nd, 2010 at 10:23 am
Jen Says:
I like the fact that the true Dharma is to place oneself within the entire world and to “lose” self. And to eventually become one with the entire scheme of things. God and non-God (Nirvana.) It’s scary that some tweak it wrongly, just as it is frightening how many warp the Muslim religion to fit selfish, violent needs. I run an English conversation group at my local library and I know several very wonderful Muslims that do not condone violence in any respect.
Posted on August 3rd, 2010 at 5:12 pm
kim Says:
It does seem that, he does have a good philosophy…glad you are spiritual. Most of us, are spiritual???
kim
Posted on August 6th, 2010 at 2:02 pm