The Tigers of deceit.

I watched a documentary the other day there that really left me feeling very cold and concerned about where we are heading. 

I will not go into a great deal of detail about the programme or who it was appearing in it and about that is not for me in here. 

What concerned me was that there were two people who for one reason or another were managing to whip up a great deal of spiritual frenzy and a simple hysteria. They were promising much in large rallies. Much of what was being said was very judgemental of others of differing beliefs even of those of the same religion.

I switched off feeling alarmed and deeply concerned.

There are all too many charlatans in spirituality these days, one of the reasons I opted out of the ministry and institutional religion.

If we meet self-proclaimed masters, we need to be very wary. If the way they present seems simple and easy, it is probably false.

Why should finding the meaning of life be any different from any other endeavour?

When you watch the beautiful movements of a ballet dancer we can see this did not come easily. When we watch somebody produce a beautiful work of art we are aware this is not simple. graduating from university only comes after years of hard toil and study despite being told otherwise. 

Everything in life of any real value takes effort.

It, therefore, stands to reason that finding a deep inner understanding of life cannot be established simply by sitting in the presence of a master.

Yet it seems that there are many who fall foul to this logic.

The mass hysteria and herd mentality are so often cleverly exploited. A teacher will tell you that whatever you do is holy. Whatever is said the teacher cannot claim to give you that deep inner peace. 

That is gained only with an ongoing pursuit of understanding. True masters are hard to find and following the path takes mush solitary discipline. My understanding even at my age that it takes daily work.

To really find the spirit of life, the Tao, the god, Jesus or whom or whatever cannot be gained without understanding and strength and neither of those come easily.

Buddhism talks of the lions of delusion, I see them as the prowling tigers of self deceit. Of both beware.

Now have a marvellous thoughtful, and purposeful day. My rant is over.