Towards A World Wide Wisdom

All the Christian churches, Eastern and Western, have to turn to the religions of the East,  to Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, and the sub-blends of all of these within Oriental culture,  and to the deep intuitions of tribal religion in Africa and elsewhere, if they are to recover  their balance and evolve an authentic form of religion which will answer to the needs  of the modern world.

Fr. Bede Griffiths Cited in Christian Mystics

Matt Fox writes about Griffiths and uses the phrase “deep ecumenism” to describe  his importance for dialogue and mutual respect among the various religious traditions  on Earth. He writes:

“For Bede Griffiths, deep ecumenism is not about making nice with other religions. It is about rediscovering a “balance” and evolving “an authentic form of religion” that will address today’s needs. Eastern and indigenous religions, he feels, have so much to teach about balance and healthy forms of religion. What do you know about religion other than your own? What speaks to you from them?”

In the continuing chapter of his book on The Christian Mystics, Matthew Fox brings us the thoughts and writings of a truly remarkable modern mystic, Fr. Bede Griffiths. He is one of the few who was able to affirm:

 “The Marriage of East and West” (Griffith’s book title) and it was his interfaith insights and wisdom that has helped our modern era to find a new synthesis that just might save the West for total secularization…”

A few pages ago, I added to my critique of shallow spirituality and quoted from a Buddhist teaching about our need to “dig deep wells” within a timeless spiritual tradition rather than sample many ideas and approaches superficially. I question all the various “teachers and hawkers” of New Age Spirituality that litter the internet, and fill up social media with their unrealistic yet fabulous claims for instant enlightenment and inner peace! 

As I have explored and experienced it, the most effective and lasting antidote is recognizing that one benefits more deeply and completely from reading and experiencing original teachings and time-honored practices.

These readings and practices are designed to promote spiritual formation, a depth of understanding and spiritual resilience. These time honored teachings are designed to work through our resistances, our ego mechanisms, and to release our psyches in ways that the short form or media driven approach cannot. 

There really are no shortcuts to consciousness work. I have found, in all humility, that the ideas, concepts, and practices introduced and taught to me decades ago, still retain a fresh challenge for my comprehension and appreciation of the wisdom they contain.

I am beginning to suspect that there is no final comprehension this side of heaven. That life with all of its lessons, and even life when accompanied by all the best instructions that we can receive, is still the best primer for learning. Life itself will function as our rough guide along the perilous, yet transformative path for the eternal progress of our souls…