Everything in moderation

More than any other time in history, there are today many spiritual pathways and practices that are open and available to everyone looking for something to put one’s passion into. Aside from the major religions, there are spiritual practices like meditation, yoga, tai-chi, journal writing, and a host of even more esoteric ones.

At the outset, allow me to suggest that spirituality is an experience of the holy and the sacred that may be or may not be sanctioned or approved by established religions.  While one might consider religion as an established, formal, dogmatic way to having a specific, defined “God moment,” spirituality can be less formal and less constricting, more inclusive in its approach to experiencing a whiff of the holy.

If we could compare it to something mundane as hamburgers, religion would be a franchise defining what, where and how to experience what a good burger is. There are approved ways of preparation and processes to guarantee that the burger is “genuine.”  Anything outside the franchised burger’s formula is suspect or lacking. Spirituality believes that God is accessible to everyone who yearns for a God experience, with or without religion. In other words, spirituality is the big set and religion is a subset. Spirituality opens many more paths for individuals to traverse than the exclusivity of religions.

I am not denigrating religion in any way. To be sure, religion is helpful to many people. I merely wish to point out that one can access directly the self-evident nature of the Holy without having to subscribe to a religion.

For the less spiritual, there are the many social movements that one can join. Environmentalism, feminism, political reform, pro- or anti-reproductive health, and child rights advocacy, are just some of the many issues one can devote one’s time and passion on.

More and more, people seem to be showing some real concern for the state of things and of the world and many are turning to either intense social activism, militant religiosity, or deep spirituality.  Sometimes people embrace two or all of the above.

Is it a good thing? To be honest, I am not always sure. I have seen many examples of this kind of zeal turning into a good thing. But I have also seen how something is not quite right with the picture.

Religion and politics can be all-consuming. A Jesuit once advised me to take religion like one would take salt — in moderation. I guess this goes for politics as well. The following are some indications that a person who has suddenly experienced a religious or spiritual conversion, or has wholeheartedly embraced a cause, may be walking on thin ice:

1. They disdain or look down on people who have contrary views or are of different persuasions vis-à-vis their beliefs or discoveries. Because of the intensity of the emotions that go with the conversion, some people become too pushy, or overly intolerant or impatient toward others, and self-righteous about their causes. Many people I know have shied away from long- time friends who use every opportunity to convert them to their newfound religion. What were once comfortable gatherings of friends have become awkward situations.

2. They have lost interest in practically everything else and their conversation has been reduced to only one thing — their new faith or advocacy. While I recognize the power of causes and religions and their effect on people, I believe that when it is shared too aggressively, especially if it is not solicited, it can be alienating and counter- productive. It is definitely a turn off. If people show interest, then it is OK to pursue it. But generally, it is good to keep in mind that there are infinitely more interesting things that other people are interested in that than one’s burning passion.

3. They have lost lightness of spirit. In its place is a grim determination manifested in a creepy  seriousness that was not previously there, and now seems to have become an almost permanent fixture. Writer Ken Wilber observed this among many spiritual seekers he has met:  “In other words, they lack lightness, they lack a distance from themselves, a distance from the ego and its grim game of forcing others to conform to its contours.” Not surprisingly, I have met many fanatically religious people and political activists who have no sense of humor.

4. More than compassion, there is a greater condemnation of those who do not agree with them.On the other hand, the following are indications that  a new advocacy or new conversion is doing people a world of good:

1. They seem genuinely happy and motivated as they do their work. One also observes a growth spurt, intellectually and emotionally.

2. They possess clear experiential understanding and calm.  And while there is a readiness to share when they are asked, there is none of that annoying pushy stance that seeks to convert you to their side, whether you like it or not. They can take a ‘no’ gracefully.

3. They have not lost their sense of humor. On the contrary, they have gained the capacity to see humor and lightness even in the holy, or in their social passions. Together with a sense of mission, there is the great feeling of peace, of being alive and joyful at who they have become and what they have embraced.

4. They have respect for opposing, contrary views and do not feel the need to demonize the other side to be validated. In fact, they may be open to the possibility that they could be wrong and the other side could be right.

5. They feel genuine compassion for everyone, especially those who do not agree with them.

 I have embraced a lot of causes in my life and I know I have fallen into some of the negative traps I have listed here. I am lucky though to have friends who have pointed this out on occasion. I have also learned to listen to my inner voice that warns me against excessive pontificating. I also know that often, time tempers unbridled enthusiasm into more productive commitment with the accompanying wisdom to carry it out.

Am I cautioning against spiritual, religious or social activism? No. The world needs movers and shakers. And we do need to embrace these to have a sense of purpose and nourish our spirit. But as the Swiss jurist John Selden pointed out years ago, “’Tis not the eating, nor ‘tis not the drinking that is to be blamed, but the excess.” Generally, that is a good thing to know even if the world needs exceptions from time to time.As it is with food and drink, so it is with religion, social activism and spirituality.  Consume moderately! 

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Now, finally in Alabang! Basic Photography on May 18; Creative for Life on May 22; Songwriting on May 27. Call 850-3568 to 70 or 0917-8080627. Venue is at Pixie Forest Amusement Center, Level 3 Festival Supermall, Filinvest Corporate City, Alabang. Call for reservations. 

Basic Photography in QC on June 4. Call Olie at 0916-8554303 or 426-5375 for all workshop inquiries. Or write me at emailjimp@gmail.com. Check jimparedes-workshops.com for details on all workshops.