STRANGERS IN A STRANGE LAND
Posted by: randallbutisingh on: June 11, 2008
- In: Philosophy| Religion| Thoughts
- Comment!
THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
STRANGERS IN A STRANGE LAND
This world is not my home,
I’m just a passing through.”
We are all strangers in a strange land’
Longing for home, but not quite
knowing what or where home is. We
glimpse it sometimes in our dreams, or
as we turn a corner, and suddenly there
is a strange, sweet familiarity that
vanishes almost as soon as it comes.
-Madeleine L’Engle,
The Rock That is Higher
Comment:
We are all truly strangers in a land which is not our home.
Where we are is temporary – a brief stay like the flowers
of the grass. We are deluded that the body is the true Self.
We are not the body. The body is our corruptible house.
In moments of inspiration, we get glimpses of our true Self which is Spirit eternal.
-Randall Butisingh
3 Responses to "STRANGERS IN A STRANGE LAND"
June 11, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Mr. Butisingh:
You always touch on real life situations in such an eloquent manner.(I’m inspired)
The late Jim Reeves, Country and western singer recorded a song titled “This world is not my home”. Analyzing the lyrics of that song, it sums up the beliefs of some popular religions today.
More than three decades ago, a woman I consider a saint(my aunt),from stories and conversations I heard as a child about her, passed away(at age 31),leaving behind a large family(8 daughters,1 son and a husband). She had requested that very song be played at her funeral prior to her death to which they appropriately obliged her. To this day, that song pulls at the heart strings of many of our relatives in a way no other can, including myself. Her death anniversary will come to pass once again,(08/18),reminding everyone in our family of the precious time we have here on earth.
May her soul have eternal peace!
Mr. Patanjali:
Thank you once again for the Buddhism history lesson, fascinating as usual.
June 12, 2008 at 11:58 pm
Thank you both Pat and Azad for your very interesting responses. Looking forward to more from you.
June 11, 2008 at 1:03 pm
There are real times when chosen persons get the full revelation of that true self and not just glimpses in their dreams. Jesus, the Master, was one of them.
Eastern Philosophies, in their profundity, explain the phenomenon quite simply. Another figure was Siddhartha Gautama, an Indian prince, 563-483 BC. He abandoned his wife, child, princely kingdom, and all things material, to search for that higher rock. After surviving life’s hardships as a beggar, for a few years, he eventually sat under a Bodhi tree, for a few more years and experienced that higher rock, gaining wisdom, and overcoming Maya,(illusion.)
That wisdom is known as NIRVANA, or Enlightenment. The former prince became “The Enlightened One,” or BUDDHA. Followers are over 500 million, numbers not revealed, because certain gov’ts, like the one in China do not openly allow freedom of worship and members of all faiths can suffer dire consequences for going against the party’s directive.
Many similarities there are between Christ and Buddha, but this one is astounding,
….. *”BUDDHA WAS A REBEL LIKE JESUS
Jesus sought to soften the Judaic emphasis on strict obedience to the Laws and regulations; Buddha sought to remove much of the supernatural of Hinduism, the gods, the complicated rituals, magic prayers, superstitious beliefs, and practices…..”
*Not my own, might be attributed to J.Dominguez. M.D.