Today our interreligious group met. We took turns answering the question, "How does your tradition/path benefit your life?"
It was fun to listen to everyone share what it is about their religion that gives them comfort/feeds their soul/resonates as truth/supports them in life. Basically, I felt that I was hearing the same beautiful story over and over, but it was told in diverse ways, using varying languages and descriptors. I started to wonder.. Do we all really see the same thing but through different colored lenses?
For brief moments, I was able to view various spiritual paths through the lenses of those whose lives are enriched by them.
After our group, I drove to the eye doctor to pick up my spiffy new glasses. They come with sunglasses that attach by magnets. We have lots of sun here, and I sure don't do well out in it unless I have on sunglasses. You may as well just give me a white cane and lead me where I need to go, because I can't always keep my eyes open when I'm out in the bright sunshine.
Anyway, my new sunglasses make the world look a completely different color than the ones that I have worn for years. These are more yellow than green - close to the look that the land takes when a tornado is brewing. And even though I saw the same sights on the way home from the eye doctor as I did on the way to her office, the different colored lenses changed the look of my world.
I'm thinking that there's potential here in this realization. There needs to be a mixing up of our lenses - especially those of people who seem to hate those whose lenses aren't the same color as their own.
I just can't figure out how to make this happen...
I have a pair of red lenses that make the sky look dark and purple. It's fun to mix things up a little bit.
ReplyDeleteI wish I was able to participate in an interreligious group. I'm afraid locally people divide the world into two groups: "People like me," and "People who are condemned to hell." The internet is a tremendous blessing to those of us alone in the wilderness!
Thomas, if you lived closer, I would love for you to be a part of our group! You would add a lot. I'm always impressed at people like you who can see things your own way while surrounded by people who think very differently.
ReplyDeleteAnd I think that I would like a purple sky better than this yellow one. I may have to see if I can exchange these lenses...
Ive always lliked the colors of your mind's glasses. Hope this odd external tint doesn't mess up your mind's eye too much.
ReplyDeleteIve always lliked the colors of your mind's glasses. Hope this odd external tint doesn't mess up your mind's eye too much.
ReplyDeletethat unknown comment was from your delirious cousin Larry
ReplyDeleteThank you, Delirious Cousin Larry. I'll hold you to these words once you become my Regular Cousin Larry. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI have lenses that darken when you go outside. They don't seem to change my perception though. I live in a similar world to Thomas apparently. Kind of stifling at times... I'm glad you have his group for yourself.
ReplyDeleteFoam, I now see yellow houses that used to be white! I'm hoping my brain will get used to it and it will start to think that yellow = white.
DeleteIf I were a rich person, I would fly you and Thomas out every couple of months so you could be a part of our group.
*this
ReplyDeleteYour group sounds very interesting. I like to hear from different perspectives. I like different colors and try not to paint with too fine a brush when I paint my own world. Life is too interesting be be too rigid. GG.
ReplyDeleteI like your philosophy, G.G. If I get rich enough to fly Foam and Thomas out for our group gatherings, I'll need to get you a plane ticket, also.
DeleteMaybe trading lenses happens by cross-cultural conversation, travel, openness to new ideas etc. I find I learn most about my lenses when I hear from someone quite different than me, instead of my usual crew of friends...
ReplyDeleteBest to you!
Well, Gary, Hi! So good to hear from you!
ReplyDeleteI, too, see through different lenses by being with others who are not like me. From what I read, though, that recipe doesn't always work for everyone (thus presidents who can learn about different cultures and still vilify them). I think it would be great to have a lens fairy who's somewhat like the tooth fairy, only this fairy sneaks in at night, stealing lenses and replacing them with different colors. :-)
Not sure how I missed this post.
ReplyDeleteIt made me think of when I was little and used the coloured cellophane from sweets to get a beautiful different view of the world. Come to think of it, it's time to do that again.
I find that LMD gives me a different view - unencumbered, unbiased, enthusiastic, honest, fresh and exciting.
Little people are good for that, aren't they, Dancing? I'm so happy that you have LMD to share his view with you!
ReplyDelete