June 10: Day 161

STONE TEN CONTINUED
 
Harmonize: I look for the harmony in all spiritual belief systems and seek to add my voice to the music of the Earth. I seek peace with myself and with all people.

Instruction: Live in peace with all religious belief.

I like the concept behind the word, and bumper stickers, “Coexist.” The bumper stickers usually use symbols from different religious belief systems to spell out the word, but not only do religions need to coexist, so do nations, races, genders, generations, and in general, all humans. The fact that we need bumper stickers that encourages religious coexistence demonstrates our need to find harmony in our religious beliefs. The fact that many people are offended and/or disagree with the concept demonstrates that we still have work to do. We don’t need bumper stickers to convince us that people are entitled to their own taste in music, fashion, or food. It would seem silly for someone to suggest that their choice of food, fashion, or music was the only right choice of food, fashion, or music and that only those who followed their choices would be rewarded with a dozen or so virgins. I may have offended a few religions, but I hope they are able to smile and see the humor, and perhaps foolishness, behind some of the religious beliefs we hold. Since it can’t be empirically established as to which religion is the only true one, then perhaps none of them are right or perhaps all of them are right.

One thing is for sure — bickering, arguing, fighting, and going to war to prove a particular religion is the only right one, has done more harm than good. It does not add to the harmony in all spiritual belief systems, and it certainly doesn’t add to the music of the earth. Religious contention does not add to personal peace, communal peace, or global peace. Religious contention does not recognize the oneness of our planet. It does not restore us to peace, but instead brings us to destruction.

There is a difference between living in harmony with all religious belief systems and believing in everything that each individual system teaches. The more we learn, the more we realize that truth is elusive and knowledge changes. Often, we come to realize that the safest position on religious belief is to be in a state of “not knowing” — a state where our minds have not made concrete assertions, because a mind that thinks it has the answers is a closed mind. The open mind, however, is able to blend concepts from a variety of spiritual thoughts to create something new, something that enlightens old ways of saying things, and something that relates to the world that we know and not the world of the past. I don’t like bumper stickers and rarely have anything on my car, but I like the Coexist concept and I add my “yes” to the idea that we need to seek peace with all religions, all nations, and all people.

Today’s Assignment is to consider the word, “coexist.” How can you help the world live in peace? How can you help our religions to come together in harmony and not hatred? How can you change your corner of the world and be a peacemaker? How can you add your voice to the music of the earth?