Thomas Merton - Ways of Meditation ( from Contemplative Prayer )
There is no "System". An attidude of meditation requires faith, attention, reverence, expectation, supplication, trust and joy. Meditation requires an outlook that recognizes our helplessness, frustration, infidelity, confusion and ignorance.
Why can't there be a SYSTEM! I want there to be a system!
Good will doesn't cut it. Perceived spiritual skills can not be clung to as they are meaningless and reliance on them often causes us to resist the will of God.
Sunday, April 23, 2006
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Sunday, April 09, 2006
Rights Versus Responsibilities
The following 3 documents provide some interesting and revealing ways in which personal rights are described and claimed by various well known and reputable groups.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights ( http://web.amnesty.org/pages/aboutai-udhr-eng )
Canadian Bill of Rights, (http://lois.justice.gc.ca/en/C-12.3/225394.html#rid-225395) and The American Constitution.
Searching around the internet reveals many other less well known or reputable groups interpretations of what these rights mean to them. ex) http://sixthcolumn.blogspot.com/2005/03/rights-versus-responsibilities.html
Human Rights in Islam http://www.religlaw.org/interdocs/docs/cairohrislam1990.htm
From a Christian perspective I don't believe we have any inalienable claim to human rights. All the above examples were documented by specific groups at specific times and all within the last 200 years. I would argue that at a very basic level
Rights are socially accepted self interest. And inalienable rights are self interests bestowed on oneself.
Our responsibilities on the other hand are 1) loving God with all our heart, soul and mind and 2) loving others as ourself.
In short, until I can can find the means to explain my thoughts on this issue, I will leave the following simple thought: "rights are to responsibilities as fairness is to truth"
Universal Declaration of Human Rights ( http://web.amnesty.org/pages/aboutai-udhr-eng )
Canadian Bill of Rights, (http://lois.justice.gc.ca/en/C-12.3/225394.html#rid-225395) and The American Constitution.
Searching around the internet reveals many other less well known or reputable groups interpretations of what these rights mean to them. ex) http://sixthcolumn.blogspot.com/2005/03/rights-versus-responsibilities.html
Human Rights in Islam http://www.religlaw.org/interdocs/docs/cairohrislam1990.htm
From a Christian perspective I don't believe we have any inalienable claim to human rights. All the above examples were documented by specific groups at specific times and all within the last 200 years. I would argue that at a very basic level
Rights are socially accepted self interest. And inalienable rights are self interests bestowed on oneself.
Our responsibilities on the other hand are 1) loving God with all our heart, soul and mind and 2) loving others as ourself.
In short, until I can can find the means to explain my thoughts on this issue, I will leave the following simple thought: "rights are to responsibilities as fairness is to truth"
Renovare Week 6: March 31 - April 5
Bernard of Clairvaeux
God loves us - so we should not only love him but ourselves as well.
God loves us - so we should not only love him but ourselves as well.
