Observing the process of globalization, understood as a new period of humanity and of the Earth in which cultures, traditions and the most diverse peoples encounter each other for the first time, we realize that there are many different ways of being human; and that there are many paths to the most intimate and profound Ultimate Reality. To think that there is only one window through which the divine landscape can be seen is the illusion of Western Christians. It is also their mistake. The current pope now lives by repeating the medieval dictum, left behind by Vatican II, that, «there is no salvation outside of the Church.» For him it is the only true religion, and all others are only arms extended towards heaven, but with no certainty that God will accept their prayers. To think like that is to have little faith, and to believe that God is only as big as our heads. Who has not encountered profoundly religious persons of other religions, in whom the presence of God can be clearly perceived? Not to recognize that reality is, in fact, to sin against the Holy Spirit, who has always nourished the spiritual dimension throughout history.
In my many journeys, in my encounters with different cultures and all types of religious persons, I have come to understand the need we have to learn from each other, and the profound capacity for veneration, of which the most different peoples offer convincing witness.
Some years ago I gave conferences on ecology and spirituality in various cities in Sweden. On one occasion, I was taken to the North Pole where the Samis (Eskimos) live. They don't like to encounter strangers, but knowing that I was a liberation theologian, they wanted to meet this rarity. Three indigenous leaders came. The oldest immediately asked me: «Do Brazilian Indians marry Heaven and Earth?» I understood his meaning, and answered: «But of course they marry Heaven and Earth, because of that marriage all things are born.». To which he replied happily: «so they are still Indians, and not like our brothers who no longer believe in Heaven.» A profound dialogue followed on the meaning of the unity between God, man, woman, animals, the Earth, the Sun and life.
I had a similar experience in Guatemala, in 2008, participating in a very beautiful celebration with Mayan priests by Atitlan lake. There were also priestesses. It all took place around a sacred fire. They began by calling on the energies of the mountains, the waters, the jungles, the sun and Mother Earth. During the ceremony, a priestess approached me and said: «You are very tired and you still have much work to do.» In fact, for twenty days I had traveled through several countries by car, taking part in encounters and giving many conferences. Then she pressed my chest with her thumb, close to my heart, with so much strength that she almost broke a rib. After a while, she came close again and said: «You have an injured knee.» I asked her: «How did you know?» She replied: «I felt it from the strength of Mother Earth.»
Sure enough, landing on the beach I had hurt the knee and it was swollen. She took me closer to the sacred fire and passed her hand from the fire to my knee some thirty to forty times, until the swelling was totally gone.
Before closing the ceremony that lasted almost three hours, she approached me once again and said: «You are still tired.» She again pressed very hard on my chest with her thumb. I felt a strange heat and suddenly I was relaxed and at ease as never before.
They are priest and priestesses-shamans who are in contact with the energies of the universe and help the people to live well.
I once asked the Dalai Lama: «Which is the best religion?» With a smile that was somewhere between wise and mischievous, he replied: «It is the one that makes you better.» Perplexed, I continued: «And which is the one that makes me better?» And he: «the one that makes you more compassionate, more human and more open to the Whole, that is the better one.» It was a wise reply, one that I reverently keep until today.
Leonardo Boff
05-22-2009
Free translation from the Spanish by
contacto@servicioskoinonia.org,
sent by Melina Alfaro, done at
REFUGIO DEL RIO GRANDE, Texas
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2 comments:
My in-laws (born again Christians) would certainly balk at accepting Leo as a Christian. He dares to questions the validity of his Christian practices whereas the born-agains dare not under "threat" of eternal damnation. They even forgo their ethics and moral compass to convert their relatives.
My mother-in-law was converted 'under duress' i.e. she was bored and alone in an English-speaking community (she only speaks chinese and was visiting a son's newborn daughter). They got a bunch of elderly 'elders' to do the conversion. She admitted to me and my missus (her youngest daughter) that she did it out of obligation to the visitors.
I'm sure you're aware a powerpoint slideshow is being circulated transcribing the conversation between Leonardo and the Dalai Lama. I made the mistake of circulating it among my born-agains and guess what? Rather than focusing on the part that talks about becoming a better person and human being, they 'locked onto' the part that mentioned Truth being higher than religion without considering what the Dalai Lama meant by differentiating religion and Truth.
Anyway, enough negativity from me.
Lots of blessings and thanks for taking time out to read my comment,
Kevin Low
Malaysia
Hi Kevin Low of Malaysia. I am a staunch traditional Roman Catholic seeking born agains to be Catholics. Okay, let me tell you that Born Agains ought to know that God is Truth. And so when a person says Truth is higher than religion s/he is correct because what can be higher than God. Nothing. God is higher than everything else.
God bless
Francis (NZ)
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