Look Beyond the Obvious
This entry was posted on 6/30/2009 6:23 AM and is filed under Secrets to Peace 2009.
I had to write a paper, which described myworldview, for a recent Ethics class. I wantto share a part of my writing with you today.
"My work in life is not to teach others aboutthe life and death of Jesus of Nazareth, mylife's work is to show that the Christ livesin and through me."
In one form or another, I think we each sharethis mission: To become the greatestexpression of that, which is Divine, within us.
I recently read this quote from Mother Teresaof Calcutta: "I believe in person toperson. Every person is Christ for me, andsince there is only one Jesus, that person isthe one person in the world at that moment."
I think this is one of the ways we movecloser to our True nature, by seeing theDivine in each and every other person.
Jesus gave us the advice, "..That whichyou do to the least of my brethren, you alsodo to me." - Matthew 25:40
I would suggest that what you see in theleast of your brothers/sisters mirrors whatyou know about yourself. What you believeabout your brothers/sisters reveals the truthyou hold about yourself.
When I look into the eyes of anyone I meet, Isearch for myself. Not the little "s" selfwith all his small "t" truths andpersonalized memories, but for the capital"S" Self, which is who I Am when all myfacades are peeled away. It is always inthere. There are only three things which keepme from seeing this Truth:
1. Fear
2. Preconceived ideas
3. An unwillingness to look that deeply
Sometimes, in prison, I find myself really disliking some inmate. On closer inspection,removed from the situation, I realize that what I really do not like is looking within and rerecognizing that I could be that individual. I could actually live in a world where violence was my first choice for conflict resolution. I could live as a person who believed it was in my best interest to do unto you before you do unto me. And then I comprehend that this awareness is what I do not like. I do not like the fact that I could actually be this wounded soul before me. His truth still resides within me, and I do not like having to face this aspect of my self.
When I sit down, this new revelation in hand,and really look into this man's eyes, I seethe Light. It is buried beneath dozens oflayers of hurt, but it is there.
In that moment, we connect, and my fear is healed.
My hope is that this demonstration fuels that light and it grows as we work together for the next year.
We all have the same opportunity, minute tominute, with every pair of eyes willing to open themselves to contact. The eyes are the sensory path to the soul.
I vow to see in you what I hope you see in me.
