THBM:
“My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.” – Dalai Lama XIV
I have always followed what the Dalai Lama has written and said since college. His expressions of kindness have been inspirational to me and they have helped me to feel more at peace in my life. I have also experienced feelings of wellbeing which I had to work so hard to feel before. I used to go to church three times a week. I used to call myself religious. I used to worship as a Christian. Heck, I even studied at a seminary in graduate school. During those decades of my life I felt no deeper inner connection. I felt judged by God, by others and myself. All I felt was discord with what the institution wanted from me and what I saw as compassionate and kindness to all. I have never cared who anyone loves. I have never cared what others have done in their past. And I have never wanted to participate in any form of inequity towards anybody or any group. Most churches seem to hold such views couched around scripture as a way to justify any kind of inequities. So I departed from my church’s beliefs because I felt and still feel that religion is for me an outdated way to control my behavior. Today my religion is very simple. I don’t have one. I don’t need one. Instead, I govern my life based on a few simple ideas.
First, I must know who I am. This means that I embrace that I am an infinite loving spiritual creature having a physical experience. Second, I must always offer from a place of love. When I offer anything from a place of love, then love is what I am really asking the universe for more of. And finally, I must let go of any notions of control that I may want over any outcomes of my life. I must allow this universe to deliver all that it is going to in its own good time. For me this is a form of accepting or allowing into my life. I act, think and speak from a place of loving compassion. Today this is why I social distance and stay home with a smile. This is why I pass no judgement on anyone who differs in opinion. I have set up my life as it suits me. We all must do the same. I am love. I am joy. I am so very good.
