Brian’s Reflection: Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Life is one big road with lots of signs. So when you riding through
the ruts, don't complicate your mind. Flee from hate, mischief and jealousy.
Don't bury your thoughts, put your vision to reality. Wake Up and Live!

Bob Marley, artist, musician; he died on this date, 1981, of cancer, age 36


I wonder why it’s easier said than done?? We are so susceptible to self-destructive behaviour and thinking! I know it’s just a given of being human, probably a lot of it anchored in as yet unevolved behaviour – Lordy, but Evolution takes so long!

However: evolution has to have a goal that is clearly something that will benefit Humankind. And we don’t have it. We don’t want to evolve, we humans. Because we don’t see an advantage – an advantage in Peace, in living together in honour and respect. This is the only explanation I have for the fact that we have not evolved from the behaviour of our earliest ancestors. We still desire to pillage and maim and destroy and fight and take revenge. At least ….. men do.

Bob Marley talks about a vision that is not rooted in “hate, mischief, and jealousy”. Some, a few, have one - but I feel that most do not. Over and over again, we hate, and make mischief, and are jealous and envious and mad for power and “stuff”. Religion has failed utterly.

If “religion” is to be good for anything, it must lead us not only to the Vision, but to ways to achieve the Vision. We’re talking about the Big Vision here! Global, Eternal, Universal. I don’t find most religion doing that today. I’m looking forward to reading Prothero’s new book “God is Not One”. Perhaps he can spread some light on their utter failure in our age. Of course I have my own theory: the image of God and of the Human Being are inextricably entwined. We have a thoroughly debased view of humanity these days – and “God” follows suit. Today “God” is only a pathetic reflection of our self-hate, of our sad self-image.

We are not Living. Not in any full, abundant sense. We “play” with the great Teachers – but we lack the will or desire to claim our Godlikeness. Why? I don’t know.

“Wake up and Live” says Bob Marley. I thank him for that cry. I will try to listen.

Brian+