BROKEN GLASS

    A wise man said, “When I criticize you I am criticizing God’s handiwork.” Does this mean we should avoid criticism? Well, yes and no. When we shoot from the lip (or keyboard if you prefer) before thinking it through we place ourselves in a precarious position spiritually. The spiritual concept at play here is contempt prior to investigation. With today’s immediacy of connection through e-mails, blogs, comment boxes and social networking sites people are quick to share their thoughts. Thoughts often based in emotion and little else, how they feel about something or someone, with little or no investigation. Pick any topic: politics, celebrities, health, religion, Hollywood, the climate, you name it and someone has and will opine bereft of any actual knowledge or investigation. Movie reviews by people who haven’t bothered to see the flick but “know” it must be a hit/dog because of who made it or is in it. Broken glass political supporters, you know them; they support/vote the Democrat/Republican parties regardless of any facts or truths, willing to crawl through broken glass to do so. Then there are those so convinced on scientific issues that all rational discussion is impossible, in fact, if you do not agree with them, you must be a fool.

“There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man (or woman) in everlasting ignorance-that principle is contempt prior to investigation.”

  So hold strong opinions and positions, but do so with an open mind, staying curious, listening to opposing or contrary positions or views, and really listen. Not the “being as patient as we can be until they stop talking so we can then straighten them out” kind of listening. You will be astounded how much your stock will rise in the eyes of others when you demonstrate a quiet willingness to hear them out and more astounded yet by how those same individuals will be moved by your words because of your demonstration!

   Will we ever truly change another’s position or opinion? Perhaps, but it matters little, what matters is recognizing the Divine in all, whether we agree with them or not. This is the Road Less Traveled, the only road worth traveling for it leads to ultimate spiritual freedom and awakening.