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I am often asked if I personally receive spiritual or religious intolerance. The answer is simple, yes. But there again, so do most people who seek a spiritual pathway. We all meet many people who are single, or narrow minded, those who are not open to the ideas or concepts of others. In many cases they are bigoted and have no concept of 'spiritual or religious acceptance'. Often these people have no thought of tolerance and believe they alone have the answers, and are wholly right! In many cases, the so-called religious or enlightened-ones have held a leading role in the persecution of other people.
It would be easy to point out any one religion for intolerance, persecution, prejudice and discrimination, but there have been many forms of religion fanaticism throughout the anoles of time. I am aware there are some Spiritualists who haven't gained spiritual knowledge, those who also have failed to learn the true message of 'Spirituality'.
I have thought long and hard about religious intolerance and looked down the pages of history. But some time ago I heard a 'Thought for the Day' on BBC Radio 2. This reflection was from a Sikh leader, about the 5th Sikh Guru, who’s name was Guru Arjan Dev Ji; his whole life was dedicated to others through ‘religious tolerance, peace and oneness. The problem was, his actions of peace and tolerance to all people and religions made him very popular and masses of people left Islam and Hinduism to join the Sikh faith. These actions caused problems with those who apposed his fine work, and so this lead to a drummed up charge, set against him. The outcome was imprisonment in Lahore (now Pakistan) and eventually he was tortured. The method used was to make him sit on 'hot plates' under which fires were set alight, after three days, boiled sand was also poured onto him. Eventually, he was chained and cast into the river Ravi, Guru Arjan Dev Ji became the 1st Sikh martyr. This great spiritual man believed in tolerance and acceptance of others views.
In the words of my spiritual teacher "there are many paths, but only one horizon, once there we will come across another horizon", this point refers to the time after we have passed from this life into the great realms of “Eternal Light”. This early teaching, given to me, may be of interest "There is nothing more dangerous that the man or women who knows, that they are absolutely right!" We know so little, but like Christ, Mohamed, the Great Buddha and the Guru’s the meaning and comprehension of “Oneness” is of great importance, the path we are on, is only for the purpose of gaining knowledge, experience and growth. Christ and his teaching moved away from the bigoted and narrow views of life. The Lords of Light, teach that we are an eternal family, united by one God, the supreme God of Light that touches us all and is central to every living soul.
There are many bible stories or religious teachings, often people miss the point and get involved in pointless arguments. Modern Spiritualism is not mentioned, because it was not wholly recognised until the late 1880's. The after-life does exist, whether you call it ‘Heaven or the Spirit World’ it doesn't matter, it is a simple continuum of this life, once there we shall meet again, all of our loved ones who are freed from the limitations of this physical life of matter. The true meaning of gaining simple truths and spiritual life is through love, peace, compassion and tolerance.
I hope this makes sense and dispels any fear, or negativity; this is another of my spiritual teacher’s lessons:
"Does not the water, run under the earth, and feed all of the flowers"
Chan Woo Ancient Chinese's Philosopher |