Self Interest and Spirituality

                   Let us work for people and the world and serve

                   as representatives of the Kami [deities] to make

                      Society firm and sound.

      From the general principles of Shinto Life

             Cited by Wayne Teasdale in the Mystical Hours

Br. Wayne Teasdale reflects on this in these words:

“When we become truly established in other-consciousness, where the well-being of the community is above our own self-interest, then we are being and somehow acting for the Divine. 

To so speak, act and to be actually defines the prophet in any tradition as the one who speaks and acts for God- The prophet-sage, saint or mystic- never speaks or acts from self interest, but from surrender to the Divine Will.”

One of my principal Christian mentors has been Matthew Fox, former Dominican and now Episcopal priest who is most widely and popularly known as the author of Original Blessings, and some 30+ other books! 

While I have read many of them, ironically, one of the most profound teachings he delivered to me was from an old cassette on what the markings of a mature spiritual life would be like, or would necessarily include.

As best as I can recall it, as I do not believe that the cassette still exists, he said,” There can be no mature spirituality without a concern for ethics, and there can be no mature metaphysics without a concern for social justice.”

All too often, we will find a self-centered concern trying to pass erroneously for some self-appointed marker of spiritual understanding or as a valid sign of being a spiritual adept.

No amount of self concern arrives at a higher consciousness if the person chooses to ignore the plight and needs of humanity all around them. No amount of meditation, asanas, or third eye revelations substitute for the necessary expressions of lifelong and everyday compassion, and an abiding deep concern for equality, dignity, and justice.