Tanith's Spell Casting Blog
A Few Thoughts On Spiritual Pathways |
| Posted by Tanith on Aug 22 2008 at 4:28 PM |
| Tanith's Spell Casting Blog >> Tanith |
How is that some people think it is helpful to criticise someone's meagre efforts at trying to be a spiritual, kind, understanding and compassionate person? Being a practising High Witch and incorporating many of the tenants of Buddhism into my daily life and work, as you can imagine, I come in for a lot of criticism at times! People very often lash out at me for casting spells for love for others, thinking it is wrong. But especially in spiritual practice, we should be encouraging each other. I fear that most spiritual criticism seems to come from arrogance, not compassion, which is so sad. Some think that they alone know the "Right Way". Some could be right, but most must be wrong. Instead of criticism, we should turn towards support and approval, even of the weakest efforts - perhaps especially of the weakest efforts!
Be kind, be compassionate, be strong, and take arms over only things that really matter. There is a lovely story about a Buddhist monk who calmly stood and watched a tormentor rip up a book containing verses of the Buddha's teachings, and tried to flush them down the toilet. The tormentor expected the monk to be angry, but instead the monk smiled and said: "That is just a book. The teachings are in my heart where they cannot be destroyed. The only reaction I can give you is to call a plumber!"
When people put down your form of spirituality, whatever it is - and this is sure to happen - gently remind them that you are doing what you can, the best you can. Don't fight with them about who is right. Admit your own path is humble [humility is a very high path even if others do not yet realise it]. You might perhaps suggest that if the powers of the Universe tend towards good, although their path may be better, perhaps that means your own path is acceptable also! The last step is to remember to keep practising your spiritual path even if they respond in anger.
The most important thing to come out of all this is - only when you know something through personal experience, should you accept it as true. We are all searching for that truth.
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