For those of us who make a habit of looking at life from a multitude of different perspectives - the views, that is, of other people, cultures and religions - it is easy to be self-critical of our own perspective, realizing that it is innately incomplete. Our temptation therefore is to avoid sharing it. After all, we are well aware of the history of oppression of minority points of view by hierarchies and institutions, and we want to make sure that we do not follow that pattern. However, all people - including us - have been given a unique set of insights by the Creator. If we do not follow through on our own particular vision, it will never be made known in the world, for others certainly will not do it FOR us. It is up to us, in cooperation with grace. Of course we are an incomplete vessel of the Divine. There will always be someone who will interpret some element of our vision as potentially oppressive. But what vision is perfect? Every view sees only a portion of the Whole and therefore has its flaws. If we are sincere about being conscientious, our vision is no worse than the view of any other conscientious person. Like every other spiritual seeker's vision, ours is one piece of the infinitely vast puzzle of truth. Therefore, there is no excuse for us NOT to share our own unique vision. For that is why we have been put here on this Earth.
Photo: A lone aspen stands up in the mist, with Sprague Lake in the background; Rocky Mountain National Park, CO; February 22, 2013
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