Our Journey Through Health and Knowledge
enhancing, exploring and expanding our health and lifestyle togetherArchive for March, 2009
Matters of Love and Spirituality
I posted a Facebook update with respect to a study that revealed Christianity in the US to be on the decline. I find it sad that not even in uncertain times can people see the beauty in such a simple goal: Love others as He loved you. Now, you may or may not believe in what I define as “Him,” but the sentiment is found in all of God’s mouthpieces–Buddha, Mohammed, Jesus, Vishnu.
I find fundamentalism in all of these religions to be so fragmenting, and it is actualized by the numbers that represent the decline in adherents to a particular religious tradition. It seems obvious to me that those who’ve shoved their version of religion down people’s throats like a sword–particularly the Biblical literalists whom have done such harm in disenfranchising entire communities–have utterly failed at living out the mission at hand… loving others. Period.
I was reminded of the simple concept of love in spiritual practice in today’s meditation from e-rd.org, the Episcopal Relief and Development organization that is committed to realizing the Millennium Development Goals that world leaders (particularly in the US), have not yet made a priority in a world in need of great healing.
The meditation:
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
John 13:35
Who will know we are Christians by our love? Everyone, Jesus says. The love we show won’t be primarily seen in the negative, as a simple list of things from which we refrain. It probably will be a story of things we do, ways in which we step into a hurting world and actively participate in its healing. People will see it – not just us, not just the insiders. Everyone.
Promise yourself
Promise yourself…
To be so strong
that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness, and prosperity
to every person you meet.
To make all your friends feel
that there is something worthwhile in them.
To look at the sunny side of everything
and make your optimism come true.
To think only of the best,
to work only for the best
and to expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others
as you are about your own.
To forget the mistakes of the past
and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful expression at all times
and give a smile to every living creature you meet.
To give so much time to improving yourself
that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry,
too noble for anger,
too strong for fear,
and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.
To think well of yourself
and to proclaim this fact to the world,
not in loud word,
but in great deeds.
To live in the faith that the whole world is on your side,
so long as you are true to the best that is in you.
