Everything is Sacred

Everything is sacred, every tree, every valley, every plant, every rock, and yes, you and I.   It is easy for those of us on an earth-based spiritual path to see nature as sacred.  It is much harder for some of us to remember that we too are part of nature and that we too are sacred.  We were born with the spark of divinity within us or, as Buddhist teach, we all have Buddha nature within us, we just need to polish away the tarnish that has been deposited by culture and society to see our true, inner nature.

What do I mean when I write that everything is sacred or that everything has a spark of divinity within?  To me that means that we all are connected to the divine, however you chose to define it.  However, if you accept the premise that everything is sacred then why don't we always act as if it were true? Why to we collectively fight, war, argue . . . ?

I was born, like many or most of you, into a strict christian home.  I grew up under the blight of "original sin" with all the guilt and feelings of unworthiness that follows the classification of "born of sin".  I left the religion of my ancestors about 40 years ago and have never looked back. I still honor my ancestors and give thanks to them for all that they did.  However my path is different.  You are reading this so I expect that your path is different too.

We are, unfortunately, in the minority.  It's no wonder that homo sapiens are a violent lot.  That is how we have been aculturated and trained.  If someone grows up being taught that he or she is a sinner then how would you expect them to act?  Probably not like a saint.   As you move around today I invite you to look into the eyes of every person that you see and ask yourself if they look like they have recongnized the spark of divinity within or if they are laboring under the delusion of original sin, unworthiness, and guilt.  I did this yesterday and saw way too many sad, tired, and lonely eyes.

Some have asked me if we have the spark of divinity within us then why do we call upon the gods and the goddesses.  That's easy.  I have a spark within me, a little ember.  When I call upon the gods and the goddesses they come carrying flaming torches, sometimes a bonfire.  What happens when you blow on a glowing ember?  It springs to life.  What happens when a little flame is drawn closer to a raging fire?  It intensifies and grows.  That's why I call upon the gods and the goddesses, in this dark world my little ember needs all the energy and support that it can get.  

To be "enlightened" means to have light within.   Nourish your light, make it grow in the darkenss.  Buddhists have named our world samsara, a world of aimless drifting, wandering and mundane existence.  Be a light in samsara, nourish the divinity within you so that it will shine for others.

Find peace and joy my friends . . . 

PS  Thanks for reading.  I know that I haven't been bloging very consistently.  This seems to happen every year once classes start and I get busy with students and committee assignments. I will try to honor your time by posting more frequently.  Thank you again.