On Suffering

How we perceive a thing to be and how we realize it are entirely two different things. There is a wide chasm between the two. As mortal beings we shall never translate exactly what the soul reveals to us: soul reveals to us Truth and our Mind, given its rational coloring interprets into an anthropomorphic form or Nature in symbols.
That shortfall of our actions to set it down truthfully must sow in us the seeds of suffering.
Life, as with Happiness is beyond circumstances. It has no dimension. But life in you and me require a context in order to justify a conduct. For example when I say I love there must be an object.
I love God. How can I love truthfully something that I cannot put my finger upon, literally? As St. John writes how can we taste love of God or express it except in our context of fellow men? (1 Jn 3:17). Our love isn't perfect and it must ride into the wind of changes: our love may fade and sickness and death sour our spirit and faith. We in ourselves suffer and also spread it. Yet love can be taken to higher grounds. But how? Not by withdrawing into your shell.
Practising detachment in the face of suffering is to give it more mileage than necessary.
benny

Sermon on the Anthill

What is holiness?
A Greek Orthodox believer will have his definition as much as a Jewish fundamentalist will have his own. Does our practice of certain rituals make us any holier than another? From the theological point of view holiness is defined as being separated unto the purpose of the Lord God. Thus when God orders Moses to separate Aaron for his ministry He makes the meaning clear. He is set apart for communing with Him in the Most Holy Place. He is like every other Israelite in all respects except when he ministers for the Children of Israel in an appointed place. The believers of the early Church are urged by Apostle Paul to offer their bodies as a ‘reasonable service.’ In the words of Jesus his followers must be like a city that is set on a hill. It cannot be missed for it is so set and bears the image of the One who is its author and finisher.
Jesus of course had in mind Jerusalem when he compared his followers to a city. We Christians have literally taken Jesus at his words and made it a divided city. So words of Jesus has been made a mockery by those whose profess to be His children. Why should then we be surprised if the word ‘Holiness’ has become a byword for licentiousness?
2.
In short holiness can be interpreted any which way. Such a manner makes a travesty of holiness. Then the question arises who shall among man settle the question beyond doubt?
No one I am afraid.
In my lexicon whatever touched by Life is holy. The Holy Grail is holy because it was found use for the Son of man. My drinking cup is holy is holy because it is set apart for drinking. By that argument my spittoon also is holy since it is for a certain purpose. We are all holy since we are living beings. We are not made impure because some of us eat pork and some of us are die-hard vegans. All these distinctions are manmade and do not carry anything special.
I shall not be judged by what I eat or drink. From my youth up I have found the words of Paul rather inspiring. I hold no scruples to the kind of food I eat; neither I shall be a slave to this or that. May be as an Indian, detachment in all things was one trait I could easily latch on to.
Being inured to a life of simplicity all that has come as my baggage I can take it or leave it.
I shall sign off having said my thoughts on the subject:
Holy Brother of Anthill