Whatever belief there may be, there will always be many ways of looking at that belief and how that belief will impact on the life of the individual. We should therefore allow for this seemingly wide berth in variation even for the faithful congregation or following in a spiritual organisation. Yes, there is the mean where two thirds fall into with more or less the similar outlook of the belief and all others who are also affirmative of the belief fall on both sides of the mean as they differ more strikingly, thus giving us the bell curve distribution of views on that one belief.
At the macroscopic level, there is no gross difference and all believers of that belief are one in upholding that belief but viewed from nearer the microscopic level, real differences do arise amongst the members in the congregation of the faithful.
Many in the congregation or following will have more or less the same outlook as the speaker or pastor. But mind you that they hold the same view does not mean identical view and there will always be individual preferences and emphasis. Some will believe in more and some will believe in less of the same belief. Thus in a church or temple setting, the members of the congregation comprise of people who ascribe to the sect or denomination but every belief set out, even if affirmed by all, will connote different values to different individuals and impact somewhat differently on various members. Everyone is a unique person in his or her own way.
The belief in God or Divinity is a central belief of the world. All agree somewhat in concept of core divine perfection. Call this God, Divine Essence or Primordial Force and it is still about this central belief. Statistically with regards to a belief like that of God, we refer to the 'mean' concept to refer to the two thirds who have more or less the same concept but each person still differs a bit somewhat from the rest. Thus the variations of interpretation and impact of this belief will fall on either side of the ''mean''.
All religions too believe in Divinity in their own respective signature styles. Hence, whilst the inner truth is that there is God or Divinity, what is understood and propagated can be a range that statistically speaking too falls into a bell curve distribution. Thus we have religions arising around the concept of God or Divinity. This is what the inner truth message of God is about and of course, Lord Bo Tien is but a messenger. We should not feel bad that men must differ in belief and practice with regards to any belief but be very comfortable with the reality of the bell curve spread of views in respect of that belief.
All religions too believe in Divinity in their own respective signature styles. Hence, whilst the inner truth is that there is God or Divinity, what is understood and propagated can be a range that statistically speaking too falls into a bell curve distribution. Thus we have religions arising around the concept of God or Divinity. This is what the inner truth message of God is about and of course, Lord Bo Tien is but a messenger. We should not feel bad that men must differ in belief and practice with regards to any belief but be very comfortable with the reality of the bell curve spread of views in respect of that belief.
When a young individual attends a church or temple, he should not feel alienated that he cannot see eye to eye with the approach of say the pastor or priest or those senior in age with regards to beliefs. He should not be put off and feel threatened by their views. The church or temple is as much a place for him as for others with their personal approaches to the beliefs somewhat a mark or two apart from say the the old timers e.g. older folks.
Thus, in a church or temple, it is not unusual to find young people huddled and segregated in youth church or group and holding their own youth worship of God with their own youth minister or pastor. They tend to be less archaic and conservative and tend to be more liberal in application of their belief in God to meet the likings of their peers or cohort. Those who do not understand will remark thus. How can people of such differing behavior be members of the religious group? But everyone has a place with God and no one is far from God. God will reach out to all and spare no effort to do so.
Thus far from the above, we have dwelt on the spiritual level and that there is bell curve distribution in understanding and approach to spiritual. The differences should not be viewed as heresy and blasphemy but as healthy and inevitable bell curve distribution of subtle variants of the belief in God.
Now turning to secular or mundane level, individuals should be part of society. When they grow, they outlive the society at school and of the family and need to be part of the college or university society and later to be part of the working society. But even for the working society, fellowship or companionship is not enough, for you cannot be too open in the working society and also you do change work or job every now and then. When job migration occurs, you will feel uprooted and lost. Thus many to be socially anchored longitudinally over time must belong to society of religious groups like the church or temple so that they can have belonging and fellowship over the long term. Working social environment often could not provide as readily this long term stable social milieu. One contributory reason is that in the job world, it is difficult to gel personal social space and official space.
In any society, it would be ridiculous to expect that all hold the same view of the same belief as the lead person. In fact, for the same one belief, as individuals mature over time, identical views are rare and not possible even for twins. There will invariably be divergence amidst convergence as individuals grow in the organisation. This is as per the bell curve distribution or what we refer to as normal variation in statistical terms. So do not be perturbed if you hold opinion not identical with others say with regards to a belief such as God and do not ostracise yourself because of your unique personal way of seeing things but do remember it is still the same belief say the belief in God.
Otherwise, you will stand alone, be at odds to society and even be lost to society. At least belong to a temple or church group of your peers that is of the same age group and interests and have good fellowship and be able to hang out together for a very long time. Never mind that you do not see eye to eye with or may be scorned at by the senior clergy outside your peer group. It is easier to hang out with your peers even if they do not have identical views on the same belief but at least, they are more accommodating and more tolerant of laxity and latitude. They are more in tune to the Biblical saying 'Judge not lest ye be judged'
Lord Bo Tien has advised that men should gather together as groups like groups of candles. We light up one anothers' lives and learn from the differences in our lives. This is the lesson of the candle flames which applies not only for spiritual but for mundane or secular life as well.
Lord Bo Tien reminds us that it is alright to have doubts as doubts arise because of lack of grasp and as we grasp a belief, we grow that belief and we grow in self as well. Thus in a group, there will be different shades and hues to the same belief.
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Lord Bo Tien has advised that men should gather together as groups like groups of candles. We light up one anothers' lives and learn from the differences in our lives. This is the lesson of the candle flames which applies not only for spiritual but for mundane or secular life as well.
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| Lord Bo Tien |
Lord Bo Tien reminds us that it is alright to have doubts as doubts arise because of lack of grasp and as we grasp a belief, we grow that belief and we grow in self as well. Thus in a group, there will be different shades and hues to the same belief.
No one should say that his understanding and grasp is better but certainly his understanding at that point is most appropriate for him, what he chooses or what he could have. That is in conformity with the standard bell curve distribution in statistical philosophy. Do allow for the ramifications of the bell curve in our life both spiritual and secular (mundane).
So far, the bell curve does ring a bell. But has it to do with the bell of a place of worship such as church bell or temple bell? Certainly not, but why can't we be more imaginative and be that more mindful and meditative, or to put it more succinctly be more Zen-like.
The bell rings clear and sends out peels of clanging that reach out in all directions to those far and near so that even those far away from the church or temple could hear and stop to pray and cheer. God and saints are like that. Divinity reaches out to all far and near and like the vibrations of the bell, Divinity permeates the fabric of all beings and souls. The Holy Spirit is everywhere.
Like the ringing effects of the church or temple bell, different people do experience God in differing intensity and ways depending on where they are in life, that is, the stations of life they are in. No two persons experiences and impressions of God or Divinity can be identical even if told the same concept because no two lives are the same and no two minds are alike. There will always be the obvious difference, albeit a subtle one at times. Statistically, all beings' experiences of Divinity collectively fall into the standard bell curve distribution pattern.
It is not surprising therefore that there must be not just one but many religions and sects to let Divinity reach out to all beings and men in a variety of ways. Praise God and lord. Om and Sadhu to all.
It is not surprising therefore that there must be not just one but many religions and sects to let Divinity reach out to all beings and men in a variety of ways. Praise God and lord. Om and Sadhu to all.
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