Radhanath Swami: True Religion Transforms

                                                             Source: Google Images

 It seems religion is used by so many these days to draw boundaries. To create an us vs.  them mentality. Since leaving organized religion behind me I often reflect on how grateful I am that I am no longer raising my children to see themselves as part of an exclusive group deserving God's grace and compassion while simultaneously viewing the rest of the world as others who will someday face the fate of a fiery hell. I realize that not everyone ascribing to religions feel this way, however, so many unfortunately do.

I believe every religion has the potential in fulfilling an important purpose. In particular, they have certainly been known to inspire followers towards greater capacities of compassion and service towards others, especially towards those who are suffering.  If a religion truly does this than surely it is of great benefit to humanity. All too often, however,  we see the results of this us v. them mentality fueled by religion playing itself out in the world.The sometimes horrifying results tend to overshadow any good religion has been shown capable of doing. We see in the news and in our daily lives how particular groups use the tenants of their faith to discriminate and judge. This destructive type of group thinking produces hatred, violence, prejudice and intolerance and keeps societies from moving forward to greater levels of empathy and progress. Such a narrow and prejudicial approach forbids the flowers of compassion to blossom. Peace begins to shrivel. We have seen  this all the world over time and time again. This causes many of us to wonder, and rightly so, if religion is ever a good thing at all.
 

I recently listened to a lecture by Radhanath Swami called "The Essence of Religions". It was spoken at a Unitarian Universalist church. I can honestly say Radhanath Swami had me at the edge of my seat the entire 58 minutes. He is an amazing speaker. His talk stirred my heart more than any sermon I had ever heard.  I couldn't help but  to think, while listening, that this is a man who truly has been touched with the knowledge of God.

I'd like to just share some short excerpts from his lecture. I found them heart-stirring and thought-provoking and think you will as well. First, though, I'd like to just paraphrase a short story that he shared near the beginning of the video. 

While he was in India, a friend of his, Narayan Prasad, would take him to his friend's office every day for an hour. Narayan came from the Hindu tradition while his friend, Muhummad, was Muslim and Radhanath Swami at the time did not ascribe to any particular tradition at all. They would all talk with one another sharing their various beliefs. Their exchange was one of mutual interest and did not involve one trying to convert the other. They all perceived that they had something to learn from each other rather than feeling they had something to prove to one another. Radhanath Swami described their discussions as illuminating. I can't help but wonder what this world would look like if more people, from various faiths, would get together and have such open-minded discussions!

One day, while Radhanath Swami and Narayan were talking along the Ganges river, he asked his friend, "How is it in a country where there is such ...violence between Hindus and Muslims you two are best friends?"

His friend answered, "A dog will recognize His master in whatever way the master dresses. The master might be in a tuxedo, in blue jeans and a t-shirt, in his underwear or no clothing at all. But the dog will recognize and love the master. If we cannot recognize our master, or God, when the Lord comes in different dresses to different people in different times and places, than we are lower than the dog. Than we have so much to learn from the dog."

I found that to be an extremely poignant remark. (Note: I think my atheist friends could easily replace "God" with "Truth.) Regardless if one believes that God, Himself, in personal form, comes down to communicate with man, I think many of us will recognize that the many figures of faith coming from the various traditions all had recognized some inherent truths that are universal. And it is these universal, transcendental truths that Radhanath Swami says are at the heart of and are the essence of all the religions.

"True religion is meant to bring about universal transformations." Radhanath Swami shared with listeners at his lecture. He went on to say, "In my searching... although I found very different philosophical interpretations, very different rituals, very different types of packaging of spirituality- I found that those who really sincerely went deep, they had very similar qualities.”  Examples of universal religious principals that Radhanath Swami gave were: love, forgiveness, tolerance and compassion.

I would highly recommend watching the complete lecture. You can view it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygQ-n50bZbI. I will conclude this post with sharing some reflections from Radhanath Swami that are densely packed with truth and understanding.

"When the ego rules over our consciousness it can create conflict and hatred politically...but the most dangerous dimension is when the ego comes into religion because we can take religious texts, religious traditions, and utilize them to give absolute authority to our ego. Now I hate you, now I am right and you are wrong and I have the power of God and you are dangerous to the world....

Spirituality is the greatest power. When it is in good hands it has the greatest benefits. When it is in the wrong hands it can have the greatest damage. There is a very very dire importance to understand what is the essence of religion. In a very broad sense it is to transform our consciousness from arrogance to humility. From vengeance to forgiveness. From greed to generosity. And most of all, it is meant to connect us to the love within us so that we might be instruments of compassion in everything we do. This is the universal principle of religion. To absorb ourselves in the love of God and to be truly and genuinely compassionate to all living things...

Wherever we find the love of God that is broad and deep and induces us to be truly compassionate and make sacrifices for the welfare of others. That is where truth is. That is real religion. It is not about being a Muslim or a Jew...It is about loving God. It is about connecting to that higher experience of love within our heart and being an instrument of compassion within this world. That is the essence and that is the greatest need..."


Thoughts? I'd love to hear them! Please share in the comments section! Thank you!

A Ticket to Ringling Bros. Is a Vote for Cruelty

Courtesy of Google Images


As Spring is now in full bloom and summer rounds the bend Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Circus is fast approaching my home state of Connecticut and many other places around where most of you live. I have been actively protesting Ringling Bros. Circus for over a decade now. Cruelty towards animals has always been something that has deeply troubled me ever since I became fully aware of their sentient nature and plight after reading Peter Singer's book, Animal Liberation.

I have re-written this post several times using different angles to try to express the reasons why purchasing a ticket for Ringling Bros. supports cruelty. I think, when it comes down to it, I will say what's on my heart and then merely share a link that if accessed will reveal all of the citations made against Ringling Bros. by the United Stated Department of Agriculture as well as a short video that shows under cover footage of how Ringling Bros. trains baby elephants as well as testimony from veterinarians. I believe even if you skip out on all that I write and go directly to the resources, that the facts speak for themselves.

During the past few days I've reflected over how sometimes taking a stand in our seemingly "everything is relative" world is unpopular yet justified. Particularly when it has to do with taking the position that the well-being of other sentient beings, whether human or non-human, trumps over our own desire to be entertained. I've thought about the countless times I've protested and handed out literature, talking with circus-goers who have oftentimes become defensive, even rude. People that have been openly offended that I criticize their choice of recreation. Honestly, most times I'm there for the purpose of hopefully educating those that aren't aware of the abuse that happens. Those that are aware and still attend have my sympathies.

Who am I to say going to the circus is wrong? Well, I suppose I could turn that around and ask those who go year after year why they think it is so right? Why they think a couple of hours in a crowded colosseum or under a tent is worth a lifetime of misery and suffering, both physically and emotionally, for not just one living creature but many.
 

The undisputed fact is that animals are suffering for people's cheap thrills.

One of the most common responses I get from people that walk into the circus is, "I know , I know it's wrong...I know what happens, but I went as a child, so it's only fair. I can't ruin it for my children!". In the name of tradition many keep coming back, year after year. I must ask this though: Are all traditions worth continuing on to the next generation? I can see many traditions and worldviews that have been confronted and have been  largely discarded much to the benefit of humanity. Slavery, the oppression of women, carelessness towards the environment and so many others. 

We humans have a tendency to oppress those who have the least ability to communicate for our own personal and group ambitions-the poor, the elderly, the young, the non-human. Slowly societies are evolving to become more compassionate society; encompassing more and more of mankind under the umbrella of consideration as our morals evolve. Moving from being egocentric (only concerned for oneself) to ethnocentric (being concerned for one's community/country) to worldcentric  view (considering the well being of everyone).

We've made great strides in recognizing the fact that all humans deserve a life where their well-being is respected and not imposed upon. Can we not extend this favor to other sentient creatures that have scientifically been proven to also feel pain and that have similar capacities to suffer?  Can our morals catch up with what science is teaching us is true? Or will our selfishness makes us blind to these truths?

How long will so many continue to look away and not recognize the suffering of the elephants are that separated from their mothers as babies only to be subjected to torture? To have each limb tied and stretched out, held apart by stakes, while being beaten with bullhooks so that their spirits are eventually  broken in order that they will be compliant to learn to perform in circuses like Ringling. To the tigers, so magnificent in the wild, degraded and stripped of all dignity, whipped and shocked electrically in order to comply so that we may be entertained? Do they not deserve to live better lives?


When considering the rights that other sentient creatures have to not be subjected to such torture, philosopher Jeremy Bentham asked this question:

"The question is not, Can they reason? nor, Can they talk? but, Can they suffer?"

Yes they can! And they do! Countless animal behaviorists, veterinarians and wildlife educators have agreed that the animals Ringling Bros. and other circuses use-elephants, tigers, bears, etc. do indeed have the capacity to suffer. And they only still suffer in circuses because people still support the industry that causes them to cry out in pain, to bleed, to collapse in exhaustion and dehydration.

Others walking into the circus use the argument that they are there to educate their children. I can assure all parents everywhere that my children have never attended the circus and don't seem to be any worse off for it! In fact, they have cultivated a beautiful compassion towards animals and others and an appreciation of learning about nature, in nature- not out of nature in an artificial setting where they are taught to do artificial acts. The excuse that the Ringling Bros.  educates children is a lame attempt at clinging to an outdated tradition that has existed for far too long.

After reading how Ringling Bros. treats their animals and the violations that they have been found guilty of by the United States Department of Agriculture, I hope you will think twice of attending a Ringling Bros. show if you were planning on doing so. After all, it is a beautiful time of year and most people in this country are feeling economic pressures. Why not  take a nice family hike in your local state forest or park and allow your children to see animals in their natural habitat while breathing in priceless fresh air? It's free!  Rather than overpay for parking fees and tickets and be stuck paying for overpriced souvenirs that are cheap and break soon after you buy them anyway? Oh, and there's always the fact that besides leaving the circus with a lighter wallet you will also leave having promoted cruelty, whether you admit it or not

In all my years of protesting I've seen some bright rays of hope and evidence that people, when merely given the facts, will make the more compassionate decision.There has been cases while handing out literature and explaining to people the facts regarding Ringling Bros. where they have abruptly decided to leave and not purchase a ticket. After talking to two parents I even had the experience of them not only deciding to not attend but to hold signs with their children for awhile in protest after they learned of the abuse that takes place. I'd like to believe that there's something within us all that is repelled by brutality, abhorred by suffering and that simply won't tolerate it if informed that we are somehow supporting it. 

Please check out the link below to read all the citations against Ringling Bros. made by the USDA. The list was compiled by PETA. Normally at protests I don't use literature by PETA because I don't always agree with all the stances they take. But I do agree with them on this one issue and they know how to do their research!


http://www.mediapeta.com/peta/PDF/RinglingFactsheet.pdf


Please take the time to watch this video especially if you are unconvinced and still plan on attending a show. It's just under four minutes!







Thoughts are always appreciated! Please leave them in the comments section! Thank you!