At 7.30am every morning, the temple residents and community gather for philosophical discussion. This morning’s speaker was emphasizing how insignificant we are. It seems to be a running theme through the scriptures, with innumerable stories and passages reminding us not to over-rate ourselves. A celebrated verse recommends we think ourselves lower than the straw in the street. We’re told to string that thought on a thread and wear it constantly around our neck. A saintly monk’s natural humility causes him to genuinely believe himself more insignificant than an insect rummaging within the excrement of an animal. Another passage elucidates the size of the soul – 1/10000th the tip of a hair! That’s quite small! I don’t know of many spiritual traditions where this vision of insignificance becomes such a predominant meditation and cultivation. Isn’t it depressing? What’s the need?
Soft Love
Soft Love
Soft Love
At 7.30am every morning, the temple residents and community gather for philosophical discussion. This morning’s speaker was emphasizing how insignificant we are. It seems to be a running theme through the scriptures, with innumerable stories and passages reminding us not to over-rate ourselves. A celebrated verse recommends we think ourselves lower than the straw in the street. We’re told to string that thought on a thread and wear it constantly around our neck. A saintly monk’s natural humility causes him to genuinely believe himself more insignificant than an insect rummaging within the excrement of an animal. Another passage elucidates the size of the soul – 1/10000th the tip of a hair! That’s quite small! I don’t know of many spiritual traditions where this vision of insignificance becomes such a predominant meditation and cultivation. Isn’t it depressing? What’s the need?