Basic Goodness –
The
Root of All Religions
What
is common to all major religions is the element of worship of some
higher, more profound or spiritual ideal. Christians, hindus and
buddhists all have their objects of prayer, worship and meditation.
In this way, practitioners of religion put themselves near to their
spiritual idols and gain benefits from doing that. Typically these
benefits include the sense of becoming peaceful, sober-minded,
patient, tolerant and loving. It is fascinating that regardless of
religious orientation, contemplatives of all religions are known by
these same marks. From this perspective all paths seem to lead to
same or very similar transformation and maturation of the human mind
and heart.
What is also fascinating is the similarity of descriptions of inner experience among advanced contemplatives of different religions. They all describe unification with their chosen ideals, and therefore, transcendence of it. Christian mystics describe being unified with God or Christ and buddhist adepts describe realising the buddha within. Hindus and taoists describe the same thing. Isn't it extremely enchanting that based on their accounts, advanced contemplatives seem to go beyond the differences in doctrine but also seem to discover a common bedrock of pure radiance and its many positive expressions, that is beyond all and any of their former spiritual idols? This is transcendence of paths, stages, religious doctrine and idols of worship. The number of contemplatives who talk in this manner is low but nevertheless exists.
I never believed that there would be only one path or one way to existential freedom, that comes through transcendence of particulars. I never believed it because it didn't make sense to me.
All beings have pure and divine nature that cannot be given or taken away but goes undiscovered. That is the very reason why we live our lives in emotional pain and existential confusion, not knowing who we really are. Below the chaos and confusion of thoughts and emotions, there is incredible peace and clarity that is common to all beings. You are basically good! Utterly good! Discover this good in yourself and become an embodiment of it.
In this way, by becoming aware of who we really are, we tap into the common bedrock of all religions that is already in us.
Kim, 18.6.2021
