I read quite a bit of Krishnamurti, probably my favorite philosopher and spiritual teacher. He is forcing me to ask the important questions. I care for a community of people. I am aware that people, especially those who desire to develop their spirituality in community, are incredibly open to abuse, manipulation, oppression, and judgment. They are also very inclined to depend on the discoveries, experiences, beliefs, teachings, methods and advice of others, especially their leaders. Krishnamurti concludes that this is why we have all become “secondhand human beings“. We resist discovering for ourselves. In my observations, we resist this for the fear of independent questioning as well as the fear of reprisal from our fellow spiritual seekers. But I’m convinced that if we want to know the truth that will set us free, we have to come to it ourselves. Krishnamurti writes:
The mind that has read all the sacred books is not a religious mind. A mind that is crowded with the authority of others’ experience is not a religious mind. A mind that is filled with the knowledge of what others have said is not a religious mind. A mind that believes, that has dogmas, conclusions, that plays with rituals, is not a religious mind… It is only a very still, quiet, untortured mind that sees the truth.
So, even though I often fail, I try to discourage the herd-mentality, status-quo-ness, conformity, propriety, majority thinking and controlled behavior. And I try to encourage a fierce independent spirit in people. I encourage uniqueness. I love diversity. I delight in non-comformism. Because I truly think people need to discover for themselves. This isn’t an easy way to be a community, but I can see no other way that’s worthwhile.
The fine art photograph is the creation of my friend Jorgen Klausen, and is from his Fundy Sculptures series.
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About the Wine Fair I attended last night, I didn’t spit enough. ‘Nuff said!
Something interesting happened in our community this morning. One of our families is really struggling right now financially. So we collected a secret offering for them. We were able to hand them a sizable cheque. It happens when someone in our community is going through any kind of struggle. They are instantly inundated with food. A couple of families recently received so much food that they were giving it away because their freezers were full. Even beer or wine and cigarettes are being supplied if that’s what they want. Practical instances like these confirm the importance of community… not just for those who are in need but for those who are able to give. The reciprocity of love and friendship is practiced and I love it! It was Wendell Berry who said that marriage takes love out of the mind and plants it responsibly in the world. I hold the same true with church. It takes the idea of unity and love and community and plants it firmly and responsibly in a local gathering. It’s one thing to say you love your neighbor. It’s another thing to be forced to practice it in the mundance day in day out face to face of real life.
The fine art photograph is the creation of my friend, Mark Hemmings, and it is from his Japanese Snow Monkeys series. I thought the fellowship of flea-combing was a good picture of our community.
And, by the way, one of my favorite wines last night was Gabriel Liogier Cotes du Rhone Red, which can be purchased locally for $14.59 a bottle. Delish!
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David Hayward is a pastor artistically stripping to the essential.
