October 20: Day 112

STONE THREE CONTINUED

Question: I question every experience, all information, personal motives — mine and others — including the ideas presented by The Religious Recovery Program.

Instruction: Question your own motives.

It’s common for us to think that our own path and ideas are good, worthwhile and perfect, but by focusing excessively on this, we subconsciously put other paths and ideas down.[1] -Lama Thubten Yeshe

I can relate to what is being said here. There is often the temptation to think that others should follow the path that I have followed, and yet when I think about what that means, I wouldn’t wish that upon someone else. Some days have been wonderful, but it wasn’t always like that, and I recall some nights when it seemed the sun would never rise again, nor did I want it to. Having come from a place of darkness to a place where it seems I have more Light than I ever thought possible, I want others to know that experience, but, I quickly remind myself that everyone has their own road to walk. I might be able to share their journey for a time, but it would be wrong of me to try to pull them off their road (if that’s even possible) and place them on mine. In addition, having broken free from what I consider an abusive religious experience, it is tempting to “put down” or think poorly of that religious path. At times I have succumbed to that temptation, but I know that it is not healthy for me to do so. It is not for me to judge them. I have every right to discern they are not good for me, but I must move on without placing myself above them.

I also know there are times when good things can happen even when we have poor motivations. It is a good policy to question why we no longer feel comfortable being involved with a particular religious group, but even if our reasons are less than the best, the results might prove to be just what we needed. I recall a situation where a young lady decided to leave her church affiliation, because she would not be permitted to marry the young man she loved. At her early age, who knows whether that romance would have lasted to the point of marriage, but she was better off leaving the church for other reasons that were more valid. She might have recognized those reasons in the months and years following her decision, but fortunately for her, she broke free at an early age.

It is wise to question our own motives, but as we will learn in Stone Four, discernment helps us to focus our hearts and minds to make enlightened decisions about which path is the right one for us. Always remember that the religious and the spiritual paths we take can work together or they can oppose one another. Always choose the path that is filled with love, joy, peace, patience, and kindness.

Does the path you are traveling today bring you fulfillment? Is there a stagnancy that could be overcome by making some simple changes? Do you have an agenda for yourself or others that is blocking the light and keeping you from seeing clearly? To repeat the overall concept of Stone Three: question, question, question.


[1] Young, Christopher (2012-04-12). Buddha Quotes - 365 Days of Inspirational Quotes and Sayings in Buddhism (Kindle Locations 1206-1207).  . Kindle Edition.