Rationalisation or Reality ?

No 278 of Living Life Series1

There are many who seems to be well off and having the good life despite not being believers of God and saints.  Often, it is said that this shows the grace of God and that we should not doubt the ways of God and saints. By the ways of man, such people do not deserved to be blessed and why must God bless them? The echoing answer is that they are blessed by the grace of God.

Good begets good and bad begets bad. This seems to be the way that must be and ever will be. But why at times, this does not seem to be the case?

This will not be an enigma if we adopt the eastern perspectives. In the eastern world, where there is not just one life but many rebirths for the same person, God's grace will ensure that men reap rewards of the good in their past lives even if in their present life they may not be good. Thus it is not God's grace to reward men with goodness when they are not good in their current life.

More troubling and difficult to accept in the western perspective is that there are some who are good and virtuous and yet suffer ill fate and misfortune? This is not the grace of God. But is this the way God test man? Surely, this cannot be. God is no sadist. The eastern perspective rationalises that this is attributable to misdeeds in past life or rebirth. But is rebirth an established fact? Is the concept just human rationalisation and fancy?

To understand further, let us know what is rationalisation and what is logical reasoning. Many can rationalise and make the seemingly unpalatable palatable, the seemingly illogical appear logical. But there is still the lack of evidence to support the rationalisation. In proper logical reasoning, there is the evidence. In rationalisation, there may not be evidence but this does not mean that rationalisation is not true for that the evidence is found as yet there does not mean that it is not there.

Even those who are hallucinated due to illness will think that their hallucinations as real and will rationalise and spin a story to explain what they experience.

Where there is evidence, there is no need for rationalisation and evidence based conclusion is the way to go.

Take for example the love of fellow beings.

We should love ourselves and radiate this love to all beings. To say we can love others without loving ourselves is both irrational and not logical or evidence based. If there be no love in self, how can there be love for others.

Whilst mission before self appears lofty, it can be ridiculous if there be "die to self" in order to save  and "live the self" in others. This is not only contradictory and empty in that if one has no love for self, how can he love others as in the proverb "love others as thyself"?

But if we do ever love ourselves and don't seem to have enough of this, then we will never want to love others. If we can hardly love ourselves enough, then we must endeavour to love ourselves adequately before we even consider to love others. This does not mean that that person must hurt some others for one's own love and gain. For that will be harmful for oneself in the long run  and certainly not love for oneself.

There must be that balance and perspectives in life as exemplified by the divine pose of Lord Bo Tien in his seated image with feet astride the polarities or extreme approaches and views

Lord Bo Tien

Posat Ji Kong drinks but is not carried away by his drinks. Few could do that but many who do not drink are often intoxicated not by wine but  by various issues in life. That is why He reiterates that it is what passes through the heart that is important and not what passes through the gut.

His image below illustrates the point. One of his lower limbs rests atop the wine barrel and the message seems to be that we must not be intoxicated by issues in life.  His left leg on the solid ground reminds us to be solidly poised to handle life even amidst the issues that may intoxicate us. We cannot run away from life more so the issues that can intoxicate us but we must  be footed firmly in life. We take charge and be balanced in life. We must not be under and be intoxicated by issues at one extreme and not run away from life and its issues at the other extreme. We must be on top of life and be at peace.

Ji Kong Posat

We must emplace our leg solidly on ground of life and be master of issues and not let any of the many issues be master of our life  and intoxicate our life.

All issues can be like the wine bottle. For many, the bottle takes over the life, but for the wise, not only are they not slaves and victims of potentially intoxicating issues or vicissitudes of life, but they are also atop of the wine bottle as well. This refreshing way of approach to the middle or balance way championed by Posat Ji Kong (Ji Gong) is worth eschewing and will win the hearts and minds of many especially in the West and beyond.

But that be no excuse or rationalisation to take to the bottle (or any other potentially intoxicating issues in life) and be intoxicated by them. But we cannot run away from them and must live with them as their master and not their victims or slaves.

Let us go back to the issue of rationalisation or evidence based logic. Where there is evidence, there is no need for rationalisation and evidence based conclusion is the way to go. We need to be in touch with evidence but at same time be aware that this may not be always possible.

The realms of philosophy often dwell with rationalisation but where enlightenment is concerned, we must progress to more evidence and reality perception. Unfortunately, for many far from enlightenment, rationalisation helps and plays major part to make life issues more acceptable.

The approach taught by  Ji Kong sort of turn the table the other way round and we see life in a very fresh perspective. To the writer, this is more based on evidence of seeing the true nature of life than based on rationalisation.

Rationalisation is to make life more understandable without seeing more of the true nature. When  we go on the spiritual path and in whatever religion or sect, we depend initially more on rationalisation as we have yet to see the full picture of life. That is why there always will be many religions and many sects and many schools within a sect to cater for the diverse scope and levels of rationalisation.

With time, rationalisation plays a lesser and lesser role. Members of all sects and religions will meet at the end point of reality of God and Divinity after going the way of rationalisation in their spiritual journey in life. This reality is termed as, inner peace, divine peace eternal bliss or nirvana  - enlightenment. This dear readers is the essence of the Inner Truth message of God as extolled by lord messenger Lord Bo Tien

In simple language, we may say thus. Seeing is believing. When we see, we do not need to imagine and wonder what it is like and how it is like. We need to be enlightened on the reality, that is, to see the true nature of life and till then we need to rationalise. Don't you agree with this?

Rationalisation or reality, both have their place in the dispensation of beings and man is but one of the many beings. Do not say that rationalisation is always wrong and do not say we need to have evidence or reality confirmation all the time. This is often not possible even for the here and now, let alone for the life hereafter.




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'Yes' to founding spirit but 'No' to bigoted ways

No 277 of Living Life Series 1

A saint is usually better known outside his original domain. This is well known and yet why must this be so? Is it the fault of the saint? Is the saint not as saintly as projected by his adherents?

Jesus is more well known outside Israel and Gautama Buddha more revered outside Indian continent. The religions that centre around them are often left in the shadow in their original homeland and they become integrated into the long standing culture of the land.

In the temple of any lord saint, the ones who were the pioneers are no longer there and even if around and alive, they are often  not around. Yet the temple of that saint moves on with leaders who are mainly of later day add-ons. They do not see eye to eye with some of the die hard pioneers but quietly do their way and  labor on in the way they are most comfortable with.  They do and not just talk. They are the blessed ones who though far in doctrinal intricacies and intrique are near to the saint. This too is part of the near and far doctrine expounded by Lord Bo Tien that the far may be near and the near may yet be far.

Let us dwell on this  in some detail with regards to such men of actions who "do but do not talk" unlike some who talk and do not do. History often repeats itself but are they the current doers not as good as some bigoted* pioneers who at times being bigots tend to grumble and rumble and at times even cause a tsunami of sorts?

The answer is that they are good in their own way but may not exactly share the same zeal and spirit of the pioneers. This is true of any world religion and that is why from time to time, God sends messengers to reinvigorate the original zest and founding spirit but not the traditions and ways of old. This was mentioned by Lord Bo Tien in his inaugural pre-1974 message.

Lord Bo Tien

The problems that arise if the remnant pioneers try to bull dose their approach and interpretation is that they create schism and not bring back the zest of the founding saint.

During the time of Jesus, there were not pianos, no organs, no guitars, no raps and no hymns in various languages. There was not even a church but only temples and synagogues.  There were no such things as congregation, pastors or priests. There were apostles and believers.

During the time of  Gautama Buddha, there were gatherings on new moon and full moon days and He and His monks moved from place to place and only resided at shelters during rainy seasons . Nowadays, monks reside at temples and temples are led by monks.

What is important is to have the original founding spirit and zest in the modern day institutions so that spiritual focus of the founders are still there.  This does not mean we bring back the old ways but instead inject the original zest and spirit of the founders in the institutions of the day.

There should be resurgence of the founding spirit but not resurgence of outdated, antedated and at times bigoted ways to snub out the new ways and enthusiasm of modern men which the bigots* do not fancy and do not want others to hold on to.

Fundamentalists and remnant pioneers are in danger of committing this  bigoted folly. Some regard themselves as 'saints' and feel that they have been rebuffed and scorned  by their own temple or institution but this may not be the case.

They think they are 'saints' the chosen ones and feel they are not respected by their home ground and that they are too good for the ground. Is this the case? Perhaps they are the self professed prophets or in less flattering term the bigots and often have misconceived the direction of God. They try to impose their interpretation and ways on others even when others disagree or are not ready to agree. They being bigots* impose the way of man (their own human way) as the way of God. This did Lord Bo Tien remind us that the way of man is not the way of God.

Alas, true saints and self professed saints alike may not be as well loved by their home ground as by some others well beyond. Some times, it is not that a self professed 'saint' being bigoted* is wrong and often he may be right in some way in his own context but that the masses or home ground may have their preference though in time, they may come round to his view point.

Till then it is wise for him just to share but not to enforce his views. He should not be a bigot - stubborn and intolerant of others views that differ from his own. That will be an impediment for spiritual progress not only for himself but for others at the receiving end of his bigoted ways

The problem is that such men may be over passionate and pushy rather than compassionate and empathic.  It is therefore not at all surprising that men of religion if carried away by bigotry may go for one another's throats in the name of religion. How ungodly and unbecoming can this be? 

Let us be mindful and say 'Yes' to God and founding spirit  of the prophets but 'No' to outdated and antedated ways of men blinded by the glare of fundamentalist fervor and bigoted* ways. Then the world will be a wee bit more peaceful and there will be no push factor of bigotry* but only divine pull factor of compassionate and ever tolerant God and heavenly saints. Then irresepctive of their religious inclinations and even if none, men of all walks of life and viewpoints will live in harmony of oneness in God and all heavenly saints.

This is the spirit of the Inner Truth Doctrine for which Lord Bo Tien  is but one of the divine messengers. Why only one of the many? The simple truth is that all religions and sects have their respective roles in society and He is not here to start any anew but just to explain the inner truth behind all religions and sects.

Let there be no bigots* in the name of God and all in Heaven and below. Had there be no bigots*, there will be no unrest and disharmony across religions ands sects, within  individual religions and sects and within the members of a single institution or temple. Bigotry* festers ill will and ill will is fertile ground for libel, slander and terrorism be it verbal or non verbal kind. Bigotry* incidentally is verbal abuse of others beliefs and may end up therefore as verbal terrorism of sorts.

To overcome bigotry, let there be no upmanship and let us love and be loved even if we differ in approaches to  God and Heaven above, for there is one in diversity and respect begets respect. We can go our own distinct seperate ways and yet be one. There is no other way.

The only way to combat bigotry* is to love the bigots* but not their bigoted ways.   Bring out the goodness in them. This is the way to win them over to empathic, harmonious and non-bigotted ways. If we do not add fuel to ill will, the fire of bigotry will be extinguished.

Bigotry* will then be a thing of the past or at least fade into the background and be unnoticeable and no longer a pain in the neck of man in society. The excuse or justification for any form of terrorism be it verbal or otherwise will no longer be there and the world will be more at peace than dis - ease.

Cheers!

* bigotry = stubborn and complete intolerance of any creed, belief, or opinion that differs from one's own

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Divine scheme is here to stay.

No 276 of Living Life Series 1

Are the religions of the world one and the same?  No they are not. Are they different?  Yes they are but yet they are not. They share unity of purpose which is to bring spiritual meaning to life and they do talk of the same Divinity. But men will say they are different and even sects of the same faith will say that they differ and each is better than the rest.

Is this to be expected and desirable? Yes and why is this so? 

Just imagine how disgusting it would be if people the world over cook chicken only in one way say by steaming it. Virtually all will not be attracted to the chicken food item.

Likewise in religion, if Divinity presents itself only in one and only one way, then many will steer clear of that monopolistic religion. It is only through plurality that there is interests and intrigue, that there is constant and renewed zest for more of the same but in different presentations.

The same applies to wearing clothes. If there is only one apparel and one color and shade for all, then all will be wearing uniforms and not dressing up to add color and diversity to the oneness of mankind.

The Inner Truth message  as expounded by Lord Bo Tien reminds us that Divinity is one but men's perception of divinity is colorful and varied like when we look at the kaleidoscope. The view we get is not identical at different moments even for the individual. 

Even a simple stone is different when viewed by different people and will be different somewhat at different moments by the same person. The feelings and the circumstances at least may make the difference and the same stone though one and the same stone will appear and seem to be different. The same applies to divinity but we are not saying that divinity is like a stone. Mind you, that will be blasphemous but really what's wrong with that?

Let this be food for thought and let this fill us with wonder on the width and breath behind divine experience.  So how can there be only one true religion and how can there be only one sect ?

There is one world but many nations, many races and many kinds of living things. This is the will of God in the Divine scheme.  There is only one common divinity but many  ways to experience divinity. These ways are the religions and the plurality of sects and schools within any religion.

Atheists and freethinkers too are part of the divine scheme. Hope you agree.  After all, man does not come in one shape and size, other wise we will be clones of the original one.  Why is this so?

Well, there is the divine scheme and the divine scheme is here to stay.  Evolution ensures that this be so.  Hope this tongue in  cheek article is acceptable to you.  If it is not, then so be it as perhaps this too is part of the divine scheme. 

In conclusion, the followers of any saint and even more so for the adherents of Lord Bo Tien. They will never be of one view and color and will somehow come in different shapes and sizes in approach and perception of spirituality. 

So, do not argue till the cows come home on what is right, but believe and do what each feels most comfortable for now.  All although different are yet equal in the eyes of  Heaven and all will be both near and far to God and saints in their own unique ways. This is part of the near and far doctrine of Lord Bo Tien.

There will surely be things we do and think that make us near. At times too we cannot deny we are not that right and may be far as well. What's important is that we are evolving and improving. That is what matters most, dear readers and friends here and beyond.

Cheers. Divine scheme is here to stay.  Respect begets respect. Agree to disagree in matters of religion and spirituality. But do not forget that all are one in Divinity. Do relish in the kinship of beings in relation to divinity and there will be harmony, synchrony and abundant richness in diversity and plurality.

This, dear all, is the will of Heaven and let us be in tune with Heaven even if at times we do not see eye to eye. Adopt the way of saints and not the ways of men in matters of divinity as did the lord saint Lord Bo Tien say not once but on many an occasion in the past when the late P. Philip was with men. Men can have kinship even if they differ in ways of thinking and approach. All are under the same sky in life though in different corners of the land.

Lord Bo Tien the lord messenger
of oneness of all under Heaven.
There is no chosen one
and no favored ones
but all are equal
in the eyes of Heaven
The difference lies in the way
and the time taken 
to be one with Heaven
Only pride makes man think
he is above other men
and that his religion is above others
This is the truth
we need to know
 and go for in life
the sooner the better
This is the message
of God and saints
The Inner Truth message
that is and ever will be.


To all heavenly saints,
I greatly adore
I believe in your existence
and thy glory is in the thought of men
I seek thy protection and guidance
so as to live better for the time to come

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Way to more life

No 275 of Living Life Series

Have less strife for more life.

Don't end up with woes and no life.

Goals are good to pace our life

but not to bury us with strife

and snuff out the cheers of life.

Go for what is within your means

and more life you will have

here now and ever after.

Isn't that nice and wise

 and the way to more life

Then you be rich though poor

 when others poor yet rich

Be ever more rich in life

and more poor in strife

That is the way in life

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The Mission of Heaven is not the mission of man

No 274 of Living Life Series 1

In any organisation, there will be differing viewpoints. Let this not divide but add to the rich plurality of views.

In any individual, there will be both strengths and weaknesses. There will be the more vocal and the quiet. Look not at the man for his weakness but do remember that there are strengths in him as well.

When someone is good and adored, remember not to bring him up to the sky. Be level headed as he will have flaws if not now but in the future.  Respect the man for his goodness but do not be perturbed if he disappoints you one day. There is the yin and the yang in every person and this is the nature of existence.

There is life and life has a purpose. This purpose is dictated by Heaven and not by man. The purpose is perhaps what Lord Bo Tien refers to as The Mission of Heaven

All life must take bearing from the overall direction of Heaven. Every being or life fits into the overall scheme of things. That is perhaps why we get some of our wish lists in life but not all.

In an organisation, a founder leader may be dynamic and in his hey days was more than an icon in his era and the backbone of success for the institution. But come his twilight years, he may be a pain in the neck. That however does not reflect badly of the organisation or of the person but merely reflects the reality of life that no one is divine and no one is right all the time when one is still not atop of and not able to have mastery in balancing the yin and yang of life.

Even for the wrong which others see in him, these others can learn from the so-called weakness they see in him. This is what Heaven through the saints like Lord Bo Tien want us to know.

Life or society is a living gospel and new chapters are added to this gospel day by day. We should learn from the strengths of others and from their weaknesses as well. We too have both.

Learn but do not judge. Admire and love but do not cling.  Learn but do not hate. The flaws of others are valuable for us to learn so that we do not make the same. Be wise and add to the peace, joy and blessings in life. Be foolish and we add to the woes and throes of life.

The handful of latter day leaders of  a spiritual organisation may not be as complete and inclusive in running that organisation. They may appear not to act on all aspects of divine will but they do what they can say for charity and for spiritual gathering through events like celebrations and vegetarian buffet.

They may not appear to drive spirituality in the ideal sense but at least they labored on and do what they can in the divine scheme what we learn from saints like Lord Bo Tien as the Mission of Heaven. This is consistent with and in keeping with the  statement that the Mission of Heaven is by Heaven and not by man. Man can do whatever part he is able to do and sustain. The mission afterall is God's will and not man's will.

They may be far and not as near and dear to saint as the pioneers would be. But didn't a saint in Lord Bo Tien say, "The far may be near and the near may be far."  So who are near and who are far?

Leave to Heaven to know and act on the divine purpose or mission  and do what little part we can but do it well and not give up half way. Do not worry about other areas you cannot do or are yet  able to do. Heaven knows what and how to effect the divine will and plan, that is the Divine Mission.

Do not take over the mission from Heaven but contribute what you are most comfortable with and be part of the mission.

The Mission is the Mission of Heaven to save souls and it is to be acted on and driven by Heaven and not driven by man. It is not a mission of man. If man fails to see this, then man will act against man, religion against religion, and sect against sect. Let each man, sect or religion contribute his or its part in the divine scheme of things.

Each somehow will have its share of "turn-on''s and "turn-off"s. This is in keeping with the reality of nature and existence. That which is of man will be like man even when man delves in spiritual dormain, for he is unlike God and saints. God is God and man is man. The way of man is not the way of God. This did lord messenger Lord Bo Tien remind us to reflect and keep in mind.

Man partakes in the divine scheme but it is Heaven's will to effect, not man's.  The Mission of Heaven is not the mission of man.

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The art of living is in Tao present in all religions and in life

No 273 of Living Life Series

Have you read and have you understood? The doctrine of life, Tou Li or Tao, is in the image and the image is the Doctrine.Thus did Lord Bo Tien said in one of his anniversary messages.

Do understand why the lord (Bo Tien) said that the near may be far if they see not the tao in the image and in life. The far from the image and the written gospel may be near to the lord and for that matter all saints if he sees the Tao in life. That the gentiles are nearer to God than the Pharisees (mentioned in the gospel of Jesus the Messiah) is the same as saying the near may be far and the far may be near.

He who sees and practices the truth (Tao or Tou-li) sees and knows the lord. He has the third eye. He who does not see and know the truth (Tao or Tou-li) does not see the lord even if the lord is before him. He is ''blind'' even with good sight for he has no third eye.  This was the exhortation by the representatives of Lord Bo Tien.

Thus it is small wonder that at times, the humble will be exalted and the exalted will be humbled. This was said by Lord Jesus in reference to certain Pharisees in the Christian Bible. This is in concordance with the assertion that the truth behind religions tend to be similar. This is referred to as the Inner Truth doctrine by Lord Bo Tien in his opening message.

Religions appear different and have different approaches and dogmas to appeal and hold on to their followers but they serve the same Divinity and Tao or Truth in God. God's compassion meant that He would cater to the varying facets and aspirations of human society.  

The art of living is in Tao, knowing Tao or Tou-li and making it a way of life. We must be at peace with and one with the ups and downs of life as portrayed in the image of Lord Bo Tien with the feet atop and balancing the yin and yang of life (the opposites of life like gain loss, happiness sorrow, health ill-health etc)

Lord Lao-Tse's take on how to be virtuous is worth mentioning here. The truly virtuous man who makes Tao a part of his life must spontaneously do good out of what he genuinely feels without being aware and concerned of other people's approval. He believes people should "act without acting" by spontaneously saying and doing what is genuinely felt from his heart rather than putting on a show for others. The virtuous man in Tao steers clear of hypocrisy. Hypocrisy can result when people behave in ways they think others will approve of and value.

In short, we just do what is right and proper not to please others or to fan our own ego. We do not fan up our own ego. At the same time, we do not deny our individuality. We also do not live for others ego. This requires balancing of opposites like in the image of Lord Bo Tien with the feet atop and balancing the yin and yang of life. 

Lord Buddha's Middle Path has to do with this balancing and avoidance or denial of self as well as attachment to self be it our own or others. The term Middle does not mean in the middle but the correct dynamic balance.

Ji Kong is a saint not aligned to any particular religion but yet respected by Buddhists and Taoists. He hails Amitabha as his inspiration. He  injected another perspective to Tao. He is most often quoted as saying thus -「酒肉穿肠过,佛在心中留"What matters is the state of one’s heart (mind), and not what passes through one's gut."  Like Lao Tse he goes for virtue of sincerity from the heart and steers clear of any semblance to hypocrisy. Even Jesus commented on the hypocrisy of the Pharisees during the days of old.

All the prophets realise the weakness of men to be good only to get recognition of others be they gods or men. That's why in ancient days, there were errant or misled priests who were out to get the favors of saints and rulers of the land. This continues to be the bane of many of the followers of modern day faiths and sects.

The way therefore is to be sincere and be good for goodness sake instead of for getting into others good books. The way of how to be right and proper in the art of living right here and now is indeed so simple but difficult to perceive for those so blinded by the need to please others and /or their own ego. 

Many amongst men are not seeking the ancient wisdom of our forefathers and only perhaps a handful are wise and keen enough to want to do so. But, alas, the sad part is that even amongst this finite handful, the greater number see not the need for essential and true sincerity but are instead blinded by the need to please and worship others be they God, saints or men. 

Though the truth of matter is simple and all we need to do is to be pure in wanting to do good. We should not do good secondary to motive of personal gratification and / or gratification of others be they God, saints or men. Many still are blind to the need to be good just for goodness sake - to be pure in what they do even in doing good. They just cannot perceive that they can do good just for goodness sake and without strings attached and without personal agenda which can border on hypocrisy and can make them appear not sincere. 

No wonder the late Senior Bro P. Philip did say thus, "Only the wise seek the fulfilment of ancient wisdom. Yet the profound truth is so simple but difficult to perceive."  Many even amongst the minority in society who are spiritualists do not know how to live right and to go for the 'Tao' or 'Way' in life.

So much has been said on the Tao or way of goodness. This is an art of living we need to cultivate and refine as we go along in life. We should not feel guilty if we cannot achieve over night. Just do be mindful. There is need to improve in small steps and bites. Do remain peaceful and calm along the way if we want to progress in the art of living in Tao.

The art of living is in Tao common to all religions and within the reach also of those without institutional religions. We must do good not to please ourselves or to please others. We maintain the balance of doing good for goodness sake and not to inflate our own ego or to be in the good books of those we fawn. This is the way to be not in conflict and to be one with the universe - that is to be at peace with life of yin and yang. Don't you agree?