My Spiritual Grounding

by Scott on Mar.24, 2011, under Great Thinkers, Show & Tell

While I expected folks to be taken off guard by my beliefs, I was a little startled over the reception it got. Religion is always such a taboo subject for so many folks, and one that is easy to offend others on. It was a great feeling to receive such warm reactions.

Now for part two of my series on religion. The questionnaire showed what the basics of my beliefs are, and the answers surely bucked the typical buckets (I have never felt a need to conform). If you paid attention you see many parallels to my political philosophies: live and let live. The astute would have found traces of Taoism and Buddhism, but the core of my philosophy would have been impossible to glean.

Key Satirical Influences:

Comedy has always been a profound part of my life. Humor has a magic to it, when used properly the intelligent get away with pointing out all the flaws of just about everyone. Satire is a fundamental way in which I view the world (once you realize how big of a joke we are, it is easy to laugh).

Dogma made me recognize that religion wasn’t inherently bad (or good), but was at the mercy of the interpretation by individuals. This film tackled many issues Kevin Smith was clearly having with the faith he grew up with, while preaching that people in general had lost touch with the intention of the sermons, teachings, and events which inspired the scriptures they follow.

Red Hot Catholic Love

South Park has poked fun at just about every religion (including pointing out that Atheism is one), being only unrepentantly brutal to fundamentalists (and con artists). The above episode is one of my favorites, the ultimate lesson being that religions need to be able to adapt to culture (while also taking it’s first jab at atheists, who for a group of people who don’t care about religion, spend a lot of time caring about religion). The Catholic church was getting picked on so heavily during this period because of the rampant scandal, but the show made sure to point out the societal value religions bring us when not abused (or mismanaged). They also questioned the value of any system so out of touch with human nature yet demanding one size fit all. FORGET ABOUT THE GELGAMEKS?!

As a young child, Douglas Adams introduced me to countless philosophies gracefully disguised in a wacky British Sci-Fi satire on the human race. He planted the seed of my musings on the struggle between the pursuit of scientific knowledge with the reliance of sentient life on spiritual support networks. And as you saw on my answers, he designed one of the best answers for God that I have come across. Who could be more benevolent than the being with an ultimate power who refuses to use any of it?

Religious Influences

If you weren’t able to tell, Eastern philosophies profoundly influenced me on my path to adulthood. Shortly after graduating from college I was listless; I felt like a young man full of a wonderful array knowledge, which in the grand scheme of things was both mundane and petty. The introspective nature of Eastern philosophies appealed to me in ways the Western religions never could. I “knew” that I could not rely on divine intervention, yet I also was beginning to realize that religions exist for a reason: humans without purpose quickly make themselves miserable. I began tearing through every philosophy and religious doctrine from the far east. In the days when Wikipedia was barred from school papers because of it’s laughable accuracy, this fascination meant I was spending all of my spending money on books. Have I mentioned how grateful I am to now be living in a world of free information?

Taoism

Holding the natural (as in nature) order of things sacred? Sign me up. As an Eagle Scout (and Natural Sciences specialist), nature had always been sacred for me. Discovering a religious foundation that best blends the divine with an ever expanding knowledge of science truly excited me. I could never buy into astrology, but I felt closer to a religion than I ever had.

without darkness there can be no light

Taoist theology emphasizes various themes such as naturalness, vitality, peace, “non-action” (wu wei, or “effortless effort”), emptiness (refinement), detachment, flexibility, receptiveness, spontaneity, the relativism of human ways of life, ways of speaking and guiding behavior.

My friends, family, and coworkers will recognize some of these qualities shine through in my behavior more than others.

Buddhism

Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment

Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.

Chaos is inherent in all compounded things. Strive on with diligence.

It is a man’s own mind, not his enemy or foe, that lures him to evil ways.

Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.

-Buddha

I have often told my friends and family that if I was forced to pick a traditional religion it would be Buddhism. It’s philosophies of peace, unconditional love, and using mindfulness to conquer our inner demons seduced me. I began to meditate, reflecting upon my inner turmoil. The result was a new clarity of thought: ways to see and analyze my environment with more than just my senses. Understanding my emotional self and judiciously sifting inspired emotion from rational thought processes. It brought me the peace I had been desperately seeking; I had officially become religious. The more I explored, the more flavors I found to experiment with, like Zen.

Bushido

Zen Buddhism lead me to the culture of the samurai. While Buddhism gave me peace, Bushido gave me purpose. Always move forward in life, perfect a variety of skills (regardless of their relevance to your profession), do not submit to death but live in such a way you could die satisfied at any moment. My favorite book is still ultimately the Book of Five Rings by Miyamoto Mushashi (although the Hagakure is a close second).

"When I apply the principle of strategy to the ways of different arts and crafts, I no longer have need for a teacher in any domain."

“For Those who would study my martial art, there are rules for putting it into practice:

1. Think without any dishonesty.

2. Forge yourself in the Way.

3. Touch upon all of the arts.

4. Know the Ways of all occupations.

5. Know the advantages and disadvantages of everything.

6. Develop a discerning eye in all matters.

7. Understand what cannot be seen by the eye.

8. Pay attention to even small things.

9. Do not involve yourself with the impractical.”

The book immediately molded my philosophies toward how to achieve success, solidifying disparate beliefs I already held into a creed to live and die by. It was the dying manifesto of a brilliant warrior, philosopher, and artist; an attempt to preserve both his martial arts, strategies, and genius. I found the life and wisdom Mushashi so inspirational, that I felt he deserved a separate post in order to due him justice (my last on in this trio on my beliefs). I recommend the translation by William Scott Wilson, although lesser translations can be found free online (as with the Hagakure as well)

I imagine most of you began startled to the revelation of my deep spiritual beliefs (which I had managed to not talk about much at all for the 5 years since their solidification). My hope is that I have painted the picture in great enough detail that those that know me well, such that they realize they already knew in me all of the above aspects. I do live my life by them. I forged a flexible yet strong belief structure, one which would provide me with the peace we all require, without robbing me of a drive to succeed professionally (or limiting my ability to learn, acquire, and adapt new ideas and philosophies). I honestly could care less if anyone in this world agrees with my beliefs, or how mine compare to theirs. My beliefs work extremely well for me, and my only wish for you is that you are capable of achieving the same in your life.

Work out your own salvation. Do not depend on others. -Buddha

I’ve lived and I’ve learned
I have taken and I’ve earned
I have laughed, I’ve cried
I have failed and I have tried
Sunshine, pouring rain
found joy through all my pain
I just wanna be happy with being me

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:Buddhism, Bushido, Religion, Satire, Taoism

http://www.briannevillano.com/ BrianneVillano

The only bit I don’t totally agree with is “religion wasn’t inherently bad” and only because a religion that bases its teachings off of a book in which their god found evil in the world (that he created and he’s infallible?) and decided to kill it off (the flood) is something I view as “bad”.

Others obviously don’t agree but in trying to be respectful of life, that’s how I feel. I, too, find a humbling of sorts in nature and science and I have too much respect for living things to ever agree that a mass murder (if in fact it happened which I don’t believe it did, but it’s taught that it did) was not inherently a bad thing.

I do think it’s interesting how much time I spend thinking about religion, christianity specifically, but I think after being raised in the faith and then turning away from it, and having to deal with a barrage of questions and debates at literally every family function I attend, I feel the need to be armed with knowledge. Plus I’m just a geek and I like learning.

If I had to pick a traditional religion, it would have been Buddhism as well. I love this post more than the last one. In fact, I’d marry it if we could have a civil service. P
http://www.scotttempleman.com/ Scott Templeman

Any tool in the wrong hands can be used for evil. After 9/11, I wrote a paper on how airplanes were no different than Islam. I think all too often religion is getting demonized when the real problem is the people wielding it at the time. Evil people are evil, and they use tools with benevolent purposes such as government, religion, etc. to bend people to their will and achieve the goals people would otherwise recognize as wrong. While the Catholic church has been a long time enemy of science (setting itself up for it’s current situation), it has also been a long time friend of the Arts. Look across the world, our oldest and most beautiful art has been preserved, protected, and even commissioned by religions. Before (ineffective) Government action taking their place, charities were almost entirely run by various churches (who did a much better job at things like disaster relief, orphanages, etc). If it meant that a bible got handed out with the aid, who cares (it clearly has some messages worth repeating in there if such blind humanitarianism is practiced). I stand by my statement of religion not being inherently bad or good, because it at the mercy of those that wield it. If it seems like all you hear about is bad things it’s only because our media shies away from headlines like:
Area Priest Convinces Suicidal Teen Life is Worth Living
or
Church Group Helps Couple Talk Through Relationship Issues Instead of Divorce

We only get shown the monsters, the majority of benevolent humans just aren’t sexy enough to make the front page. IMO I have seen plenty of people who are happy with their religious beliefs, don’t feel a need to persecute or battle others, and have used God/Allah/Mohammad/Etc to get through trials near impossible to overcome. I am glad you don’t shy away from spirituality in general, because I do honestly believe that people need it to live a healthy life.

Just as a candle cannot burn without fire, men cannot live without a spiritual life.
Buddha
http://www.briannevillano.com/ BrianneVillano

“Evil people are evil, and they use tools with benevolent purposes such as government, religion, etc. to bend people to their will and achieve the goals people would otherwise recognize as wrong.”

But like in the case of the Westboro baptist “church,” the children are brought into the “faith” before they even have the chance to make up their own minds about what they believe. So it’s a vicious cycle of evil that you can’t totally blame on their parents because someone raised them that way too. The hatred is bred into them so deeply but when does brainwashing stop being an excuse for despicable behavior and critical thinking, logic and reasoning enter the equation?
http://www.scotttempleman.com/ Scott Templeman

There are certainly fundamentalist sects which indoctrinate/brainwash kids (not just religions either, politics, vegetarianism, etc). As human beings they ultimately have a choice to question their beliefs and explore others. The best mind control practices are at best a short term fix. They are the very epitime of everything Christianity doesn’t stand for, but they have the right to raise their kids the way they see fit (and exercise free speech) provided they aren’t physically harming anyone. The mind is a miraculous thing: it has the ability to heal its wounds better than any physical ailment could (refer to Buddhism). Simply coming to terms with the pain inflicted upon you can help people move forward.

“Jesus surrounded himself with the “losers” of his day: prostitutes, tax collectors (hated because they cheated the public), lepers (their disease made them total outcasts), and the poor and disadvantaged. His primary followers were a group of motley fishermen, whom he promised would learn to “fish for people.” These followers often misunderstood Jesus, and when Jesus was being persecuted, they deserted and denied him. Jesus was amazingly patient, always forgiving, always meeting people on their own terms. He was slow to condemn and quick to bring out the best even in the least likely people. Their transformations came as a result of their gradual appreciation for the mystery of God’s love for them. If God could accept and love them despite their sins and shortcomings, perhaps they could learn to accept and love themselves!

Jesus does hold up ideals that are never possible to fully emulate here on earth. His desire is to bring out the best in each of us not to lay some guilt trip. Even those whom we call “saints” (the holy ones) are hardly without faults. What makes someone a saint is not their goodness but the quality of their love of others. Those who live more and more for others, who like Jesus extend themselves to respect and value every other person, are God’s saints.”
http://www.explorefaith.org/guilt.html

I don’t consider myself Christian, but that is the Jesus I respect: the great lover, empath, and forgiver. And that’s the Jesus that most Christians love, worship, and are inspired by.

The Amish encourage their young to go out and experience the outside world before becoming an adult. A free pass at sin, technology, and the rest of the baggage of the modern world. Few leave and don’t return, most come back having satisfied their curiosity happy to live the rest of their life within their (simple) happy community. Their beliefs and norms seem archaic, sometimes “barbaric,” but they all choose to be there and practice them.

You can only force someone against their will by the threat of a gun or blade, and when such military threats are involved you have found yourself in a government, not a religion. You can never control a human being’s free will, you can only attempt to influence it.