zen & the beginners mind & Christ's faith like a child
i know that i have touched on this subject but it is so important to me that i feel i must explore it yet again. and in more depth and clarity.
i feel that people almost feel that it is a sin to question. we cannot question the government because they have left us in such fear and ignorance that we feel they know better than us. we cannot question those that are above us in stature or status because are more likely to have experienced more and therefore our questions are irrelovent. we cannot question our beliefs or religion because faith requires us to shut up and take it.
all these are inncorect on some level. we can question authority, after all we put them there didn't we? they are the voice of the people. we are those people. we can question our elders and their decisions, we have ideas as well, new ideas, creative ideas, we can expound on they know. yes we can learn from them but we have a lot to teach as well. david (king of the jewish nation) questioned God more than anyone in the bible, even to the point of screaming at Him in anger. yet david was known as a man after Gods own heart.
"and this is the simple truth: that to live is to feel oneself lost. He who accepts it has already begun to find himself, to be on firm ground. Instinctively, as do the shipwrecked, he will look around for something to which to cling; and that tragic, ruthless glance, absolutely sincere because it is a question of his salvation, will cause him to bring order into the chaos of his life. These are the only genuine ideas, the ideas of the shipwrecked. all the rest is rhetoric, posturing, farce.'
-soren kierkegaard
continue to question. everything. everyone. if you don't know the answer don't sit in fear of the answer! explore! embrace being lost, for that is the first step to looking for answers, and upon finding answers (and subsequently more questions) has begun to find himself.
i think this why Jesus Christ was so emphatic about having child like faith. because children have child like questions, child like curiostiy, child like faith & belief. Zen call it the beginners mind, maintaining a state of wonder and awe at the world around them.
"the stone that the builder rejects becoes the foundation for a new temple. the willingness to doubt and question is itself ournew sacred ground, the spiritual journey IS NOT about getting somwhere else. its not about progress or destinations. (its about becoming child like in our faith or beginners mind). in our lostness, we have found the seed of a new identity. our being is becoming, our goal is to begin again."
-john bradshaw
i want to reiterate what the previous quote was stating, i don't believe that one can reach enlightenment honestly, nor can one reach the perfection of Christ (as paul says to pursue) but thats just it IT IS NOT about getting somewhere, or the destination, but it IS ABOUT pursuing the answers with all your heart, soul, and body.
-esteban
*for you miss luck.
i feel that people almost feel that it is a sin to question. we cannot question the government because they have left us in such fear and ignorance that we feel they know better than us. we cannot question those that are above us in stature or status because are more likely to have experienced more and therefore our questions are irrelovent. we cannot question our beliefs or religion because faith requires us to shut up and take it.
all these are inncorect on some level. we can question authority, after all we put them there didn't we? they are the voice of the people. we are those people. we can question our elders and their decisions, we have ideas as well, new ideas, creative ideas, we can expound on they know. yes we can learn from them but we have a lot to teach as well. david (king of the jewish nation) questioned God more than anyone in the bible, even to the point of screaming at Him in anger. yet david was known as a man after Gods own heart.
"and this is the simple truth: that to live is to feel oneself lost. He who accepts it has already begun to find himself, to be on firm ground. Instinctively, as do the shipwrecked, he will look around for something to which to cling; and that tragic, ruthless glance, absolutely sincere because it is a question of his salvation, will cause him to bring order into the chaos of his life. These are the only genuine ideas, the ideas of the shipwrecked. all the rest is rhetoric, posturing, farce.'
-soren kierkegaard
continue to question. everything. everyone. if you don't know the answer don't sit in fear of the answer! explore! embrace being lost, for that is the first step to looking for answers, and upon finding answers (and subsequently more questions) has begun to find himself.
i think this why Jesus Christ was so emphatic about having child like faith. because children have child like questions, child like curiostiy, child like faith & belief. Zen call it the beginners mind, maintaining a state of wonder and awe at the world around them.
"the stone that the builder rejects becoes the foundation for a new temple. the willingness to doubt and question is itself ournew sacred ground, the spiritual journey IS NOT about getting somwhere else. its not about progress or destinations. (its about becoming child like in our faith or beginners mind). in our lostness, we have found the seed of a new identity. our being is becoming, our goal is to begin again."
-john bradshaw
i want to reiterate what the previous quote was stating, i don't believe that one can reach enlightenment honestly, nor can one reach the perfection of Christ (as paul says to pursue) but thats just it IT IS NOT about getting somewhere, or the destination, but it IS ABOUT pursuing the answers with all your heart, soul, and body.
-esteban
*for you miss luck.
Comments
love it.
And no matter how smart we are or think we are, there is always more to learn and discover which makes life so interesting and worth waking up each day and discovering something new. Eventhough,we may have the same routine daily, the day is never the same! There is a saying, "There are never any dumb questions, only dumb answers." I myself have never been afraid to question anything or anyone, and if they dont feel the same as me no matter, because that is what makes us individuals and I have learned alot by asking questions and will continue to do so.
If God didnt put curiousity inside of us how would we ever find Him....we wouldnt, and how awful that would be not to know Him.
In my opinion people that are afraid to ask questions will never become the person they were created to be, and that is in itself is a tragedy.
-A :)
thank you.
<3 alison
although, the importance of pursuing implies the thing being pursued is worth it. so i think the questioning process is important ONLY BECAUSE the end is important. it's crucial to keep a questioning mind throughout your life. but there's no point in questioning if you never plan on getting to the end, the Truth. :) thanks so much for letting us see your thoughts -nikki
I am one to always question things. That's just the way my mind works, and a while back when I was more naive when it came to God, it was easier to believe in him... because it was easy to believe and it sounded pleasing. but as I learned more I started questioning almost every little thing and I almost stopped believing in him completely. I was so confused. I do believe in him more than I did then, but it's almost like I am still healing from it all. It's almost as if questioning that something got me in trouble. I was really lost. I still am somewhat. But I do believe. I really do.
in the midst of everything occuring in the world right now, these were very powerful words.
Anyhow, the song "Sleep" that is playing in your website: Anchor & Braille, is magnificent. I fell in love with that song.
When will you upload it to myspace and purevolume?
Plus, I bought the "Anberlin" albums to check out your style and I am fascinated by your sound and lyrics.
You rock dude. May the Lord bless you in your future endeavors.
Your newest fan,
Wilkin A. Lora
and yes, questioning.. always always questions!!! :)
when people ask me about stuff like that, i don't know what to say. you basically took the words right from my mouth and from my soul.
thank you.
-gilmer
Peace