No 80 of Living Life Series 1
It may be true when even with the best intentions to share an experience, others may not buy the learning points that are good to be shared.
For supramundane or spiritual matters, the handful who are somewhat spiritually developed and have hands-on insight and exposure to early but significant aspects of the reality beyond the mundane world can never convince many who have not (so it seems to be the case). They have to endure and to swallow their pride of conviction. They stand being misunderstood and misconceived if they try to share even a little of their supramundane experience. They may have to keep their silence or face sceptism, and occasional scorn and ridicule for touching on issues that are supramundane and not easily understood. But these may be true and good for the many. They would often fear not of being misunderstood or mis-represented. Endurance is one's innocent glory in the next world. Not surprising that ancient Chinese clergy and sages have been quoted as saying "The secrets of Heaven cannot be revealed"
At times, silence is golden but if one has to speak, being misunderstood may be unavoidable and perhaps the only viable option. This applies to both supramundane and mundane matters. The former has been elucidated above.
For mundane worldly matters, such as differing viewpoints between spouses, between parent and adult child, between two opinionated persons, it can still hold true at times. Better to remain silent or be misunderstood than to fan up more problems, frustrations and let all hell break loose. If we are right, perhaps albeit in our own way, we should have clear conscience and harbour no disquiet and fear. We will remain calm and have peace of mind and spirit. We can remain silent or, if needed, just speak our views and be prepared to be misunderstood.
The same good values apply equally well for both spiritual and worldly matters. So did the saints remind us through Lord Bo Tien
For supramundane or spiritual matters, the handful who are somewhat spiritually developed and have hands-on insight and exposure to early but significant aspects of the reality beyond the mundane world can never convince many who have not (so it seems to be the case). They have to endure and to swallow their pride of conviction. They stand being misunderstood and misconceived if they try to share even a little of their supramundane experience. They may have to keep their silence or face sceptism, and occasional scorn and ridicule for touching on issues that are supramundane and not easily understood. But these may be true and good for the many. They would often fear not of being misunderstood or mis-represented. Endurance is one's innocent glory in the next world. Not surprising that ancient Chinese clergy and sages have been quoted as saying "The secrets of Heaven cannot be revealed"
At times, silence is golden but if one has to speak, being misunderstood may be unavoidable and perhaps the only viable option. This applies to both supramundane and mundane matters. The former has been elucidated above.
For mundane worldly matters, such as differing viewpoints between spouses, between parent and adult child, between two opinionated persons, it can still hold true at times. Better to remain silent or be misunderstood than to fan up more problems, frustrations and let all hell break loose. If we are right, perhaps albeit in our own way, we should have clear conscience and harbour no disquiet and fear. We will remain calm and have peace of mind and spirit. We can remain silent or, if needed, just speak our views and be prepared to be misunderstood.
The same good values apply equally well for both spiritual and worldly matters. So did the saints remind us through Lord Bo Tien
For both mundane and spiritual, silence can at times be golden but, if we need to speak, being misunderstood can be unavoidable. The seated image of Lord Bo Tien balancing both elements with his feet reminds us to balance the mundane and spiritual life by using the same values. The spiritually adept will be adept in the mundane world as well.
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