Origin & Self (August 14, 2007 TIWC)

“How do my beliefs about my origin affect my attitudes about myself?”

This was the guide question pondered on by the participants of last Tuesday (Aug.14) at the Inner Work Circle. As we reflected and shared our insights on the theme around the circle we heard stories of personal experiences and life journeys within the backdrop of each one’s respective faith tradition and spirituality.

Growing up with 13 siblings and having to share with one and all, each time every blessing (be it a whole loaf of bread, a slice of pie or a piece of apple) that is brought home by any member of the family—was how one sharer’s attitudes and values were greatly shaped by his origin. Generosity, truth, respect, and nonviolence—all these he was simply exposed to in the home as he grew up into what he is now.

Faith is also one aspect of the self that is supposed to be greatly influenced upon by one’s family- most especially the parents. Yet one sharer found himself away from his own family’s faith tradition and into another. One other sharer related his journey in and out of faith, losing God from his born-religion and finding God somewhere else.

Still, others (as the case of our Muslim brother who shared) have deeply grown rooted in their parents’ and ancestors’ faith having—found meaning and contentment in their religious lives, and never having the thought of uprooting from their origins cross their minds. Another sharer (a Catholic) also did not find it necessary to change religion even as she has opened up and explored other faiths. She realized that all religions teach the same essence anyway so there was no need for her to leave the faith she was born into—all she had to do was to adjust her perspective within the belief system and, more importantly, personalized it.

From the point of view of oriental spirituality (as shared by our Korean friend) change is most important, and it is the present moment that maters most. He pointed out that although the past (or origin) and the future (visions) are also important, neither of these actually exist. The only reality there is is the eternal now. It is in the here and now where and when we can amend the past and act for the future.

Whatever we do with this life path we found ourselves in, however we relate with the influence of our origin – whether with acceptance or with change—that is our choice. To each is his/her own journey. In fact, it is the uniqueness of each one’s journey that truly makes it special and incomparable with others’.
As pointed by another sharer: “In the end, it will just be between you and ‘your’ God.” So in a way, there are as many religions as there are people having unique relationships with God, the Infinite Source, our Supreme Origin and Ultimate Destination.

Therefore, each personal relationship with the Divine is valid and unquestionable. There lies the good news—we all come from one and the same Origin and, whether we like it or not, we are all headed towards one and the same Destination (some of us just loose our way and may take a long while to get there). It is a journey from the Infinite Divine and incarnating into the finite human existence, and then going back—through change, evolution and growth—towards realization of Wholeness and union with the Oneness of all.

Can’t wait to come full circle!

Shanti!
O.