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Wisdom Saying
Although all of us desire happiness, few of us reach that goal because of the seemingly endless cycle of expectation and disappointment. But this cycle can end. If we give up our attachment and grasping, it is possible to grow spiritually and to find genuine enjoyment. Bees feed on the nectar of flowers; they do not cling to the blossoms.
*Tarthang Tulku, Gesture of Balance
Scripture~Hebrews 13.5-6 (The Message)
5-6Don't be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have. Since God assured us, "I'll never let you down, never walk off and leave you," we can boldly quote,
God is there, ready to help;
I'm fearless no matter what.
Who or what can get to me?
Comments
One agreement between Christianity and Buddhism is developing the inner life of Spirit and, in this process, to become freer of greed. Schools of Buddhism call this "attachment." This is "lust," "greed," or "craving." Greed was taught among the early Desert Fathers and Mothers, of the early Church, as one of the Deadly Sins.
Greed is a heavy, negative energy. The Christian contemplative tradition calls it a "passion." Grace-energies, in contrast to the heaviness of craving, are "virtues." Virtues add lightness to the body and mind. Greed blocks the flow of always-youthful Energy.
We can affirm with the Hebrews writer, "God is there, ready to help..." God is not some distant, separate Creator Being. "God" refers to the immanent Life-Fount in every fiber of our total Self, the immanent Intelligence of the Universe. Spirit is the Potentiality of goodness and wellness.
Remember, greed is only an energy from the Energy-Source and in essence is good energy, godly desire. Craving signifies rightful longing for fulness of Life and Joy, but a mis-directed longing. We can suffer much in this wrong-turning, and the only salvation from it is the right-turning toward the Source of Life: this is repentance.
All virtue is energy-desire turned toward the Light, like the plant that turns toward the Sun. Craving is the same energy of passion, but passion not trusting supply from the Effulgent Light of Grace. Let us keep turning toward the Light of Love-Within in humble adoration and glad yielding to Grace.
Suggested Reflection
What implications does growing to be less greedy have for our earth, environment, and relations among nations, peoples, and religions?
*Brian's book An Ache for Union: Poems on Oneness with God through Love, can be ordered through major on-line booksellers or your local bookstore.
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