I have several Facebook friends who run in Advaita Vedanta circles. One is a Christian and the other is a Zen practitioner. Both are admirably honest about the ways in which the challenges and sufferings of life have contributed to their spiritual growth. One just finished intense chemotherapy, while the other simply expressed the fact that he is undergoing challenges in various areas of his life.
Some of the responses these two have received from fellow meditators really appall me. They would imply that if either of these wonderful spiritual masters still experiences suffering, they have not yet achieved the highest awakening. Their language reveals a kind of "Advaita Fundamentalism" that is every bit as narrow, arrogant and uncharitable as any Christian Fundamentalism ever was!
I am convinced that the challenges presented by life's sufferings are
the very conditions that enable divine union, love and grace to manifest
themselves in all of their various flavors. For me, the art of
photography brings out this truth, par excellence. I love morning and
evening, when the contrasts made by light and shadow are most prominent,
for it is THEN that the most beautiful photographs occur! Truly, yin
and yang belong together! The only way to experience and reaffirm UNION
is to feel what appears to be NON-UNION. Otherwise, we could never
know what union truly is!
Photos: Light and shadow patterns on snow, Montgomery Pass, Rawah Range, CO, March 7, 2015
Photos: Light and shadow patterns on snow, Montgomery Pass, Rawah Range, CO, March 7, 2015
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