So here we are at the trailhead. Behind us is a half-life of learning, struggling, hiding, rat-racing, fence-sitting, city dwelling; searching, striking out, retreating to safety. A few short decades of making one's way in and through the world we share, trying the accepted route, venturing off onto a side trail or two, always ones that parallel the main road of human behavior with short feeder trails between them. Like, living in the country but designing databases for city clients.
One of the most enticing things to me about a life of faith are those reassurances we find in both scripture and biography that God provides for those who seek to serve the highest purpose, whether that be seeking God or providing for the defenseless, meditating or teaching. The sparrows of the field, right?
Wow. How different is such a life, trusting that manna will fall when you need it and won't keep if you try to save it overnight, from the one we now generally lead, where it is considered a travesty not to have "health insurance" -- as if there were an economic equation that could insure you against ill health; where we all plan not only for tomorrow but for our retirement and death?
It seems to be a hallmark of maturity and wisdom that our beliefs are integrated as much as possible into the everyday world of affairs. The question is, at what point do our beliefs interfere with the conduct of our own affairs, and how is this tension to be resolved when it arises?
Consider the case of this group that is now predicting Jesus' return, or Judgment Day, on May 21 of this year, based on the breaking of seal of the codes embedded in the Bible that tell us how to calculate the date. Some of the members have actually planned to have nothing left come May 22, since they believe it is not coming at all, for them at least:
And so, her husband adds, "God just made it possible - he opened doors. He allowed us to quit our jobs, and we just moved, and here we are."
Now they are in Orlando, in a rented house, passing out tracts and reading the Bible. Their daughter is 2 years old, and their second child is due in June. Joel says they're spending the last of their savings. They don't see a need for one more dollar.
"You know, you think about retirement and stuff like that," he says. "What's the point of having some money just sitting there?"
"We budgeted everything so that, on May 21, we won't have anything left," Adrienne adds.
Nothing, except for the fervent hope that all of them will be raptured.
- Is the End Nigh? We'll Know Soon Enough
The mind boggles that these parents of a two-year-old daughter are willfully neglecting her future care, and even more that they have no provisions for the birth of their next child in June; it appears they will enter the month of the child's birth completely destitute, more or less on purpose. Except they really, really, really believe; and surely, the Lord will make it happen if only because of the dire straits they will find themselves in if it doesn't. Surely the Lord will not reward their faith with silent inaction? Alas such pleas and divine brinkmanship are not, historically, effective.
Well on the positive side, this fate seems to fall upon people in generational cycles -- no one who can remember the last group of these folks is going to buy in with the next one; although some of them stick around for a reprise after the "calculations" are "corrected" upon the failure of the first prediction. As, somehow, always happens. In this present case, the first errant prediction was for 1994. (Also see Millerites.)
Now I regard this kind of misguided thought and action as magical thinking; as though unthinkable things were also impossible. But things that are unthinkable, however tragic they may be, do sometimes happen, and particularly if we bring them upon ourselves because they are unthinkable and we believe they therefore surely will not happen. Cue Grandpa on the front porch in his skivvies with coffee and cigar: "The Lord helps those who help themselves," he rasps. It's hard to argue with him, even when he's not modeling his tighty whities.
So even though the life of a Love Dog is, in some respects, a life and path of faith, that faith doesn't include the belief that I will be rescued from stupidity, whether my own or someone else's. Actions, indeed thoughts, have consequences. The fact that coincidental miracles do occur on this path doesn't amount to a promise they they will always occur.
In practice, therefore, my commitment to action in love, karma yoga, is not faith-based, except for the major role that my early years of traditional faith had in preparing me for the practice of renunciation. It seems clear that no matter how deeply one may release attachments to material things, the extreme of standing naked in a field is not a viable solution; so the question is then, what do I need, and how will I obtain it, so that my life will continue?
The monk with robe, bowl, and rosary receives this kit from the community, as well as food and sometimes a bed. But this model of spiritual life is an anachronism, in that it has no context in modern societies, unless as an institutional vestige of the ancient past. But this is my Western view; in the East, that tradition is probably still vibrant and alive for its practitioners. A moot point, for me.
But the question of living as a monk, and its difficulty in our modern, Western, world, raises the larger question of how an intelligent person might live in this world. From my perspective, the status quo is deeply and perhaps irredeemably insane. But the vise-grip it holds on us is shown to be that much stronger, in that we are unable to bring about even a modicum of change to this craziness, no matter how much we wish to -- politics appears to be utterly useless for fashioning a better world, and succeeds only in increasing the magnitude of its ongoing disasters.
Now I know, I agree, that a systemic change is hard to envision. And I don't particularly have any faith in a political solution, not even at the municipal level; that's generally even more insane than the national stage. So what are my choices? That's what I'm all about these days: answering that question as practically and also as creatively as I can.
So, I guess I would describe this path as spiritual at the beginning, in its motivation; but practical in daily application. The faith I have, I reserve for a brighter future that may arise if only more of us will act in love, whatever else we decide to do. I do not believe that I will see the day when such radical simplification will be embraced voluntarily by the majority. I'm the only one who can choose change, and I can only choose it for myself.
But like a good dog, I'm going to leave a trail of nice pee on the guideposts along the way, for you to follow if you are so inclined. Let it be an inspiration, or a cautionary tale, as you will.
Guidepost 1: Actions have consequences, and actions follow unfailingly upon thoughts. As as love dog, you will do anything for a Human in need. But it may cost you your life when you least expect it. Let it go, see it happening beforehand, release your resentments now. Let the moment of your death, as a direct result of your own actions, be an object of contemplation, until it is as familiar as the face of a dear friend.
Guidepost 2: Corporations are not people, not even animal people, and have no natural emotion besides greed. They often will bite without barking, and often maim and kill in order to procure profits. Association with them engenders corruption and indenture. Beware.
Guidepost 3: A love dog's motivation is love. Love in stillness and especially love in action. Love dog love is physically felt as a bright and warm sensation emanating from the solar plexus and traveling through the body as a current. Generate this feeling with the practice of sending and taking (Tibetan tonglen). Never stop this practice. Combine it with an understanding of the chakras.
Guidepost 4: Most often what you need is within easy range of your grasp. Pray not to escape this world, but to be effective in it; and to that end, seek a proper kit; try to be outfitted for the environment you are in, so that others will benefit from your preparation. Evaluate your need for material objects based upon the ways in which you will express your love in actions.
Guidepost 5: Do not let your kindness toward others place a burden of support on them. This is also a favor to yourself; human people will gradually inflate the value of your food until you owe them your very life; hunger is better than such a debt. Better still is a practical way to provide for your own needs, as minimally as possible, so that you can spend the more time in karma yoga, in loving action and union with the All.
Hey there's a rabbit! I love rabbits! Hey Rabbit, wait up, hey!
Cross-posted at Street Prophets