The Parable Of Rhubarb And Potatoes

By |2013-11-19T17:05:26+10:00November 23rd, 2013|Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Religion, Society|

In last week’s blog I wrote about redeveloping our abilities to follow our inner guidance.

I would love it if everyone could learn to do this, because I know that it would make for happier and healthier lives for everyone.

What we have to understand, though, is that if everyone is following their inner guidance, it doesn’t mean that everyone will automatically start thinking as we think, and believing as we believe.

I believe that we were each created as a unique individual, each with our own goals and our own paths to reach those goals.  As we have discovered in the natural world, where biodiversity is seen as essential to the healthy functioning and evolution of each ecosystem, the healthy functioning and evolution of our human world is dependent on our diversity as well.

If we look at our vegetable gardens, I may grow potatoes, and you may grow zucchinis.  I don’t tell you that you can only grow potatoes, because what a boring world it would be, if potatoes were the only things there were to eat.  Far better that we each grow different vegetables, which we can share.

Another person might grow rhubarb, and you may say: “I don’t like rhubarb.  They shouldn’t be allowed to grow rhubarb.”  And one of your clan might say: “No, the leaves are poisonous.  It’s dangerous.  You can’t grow it because it’s too dangerous.”

The rhubarb grower may reply: “Well, I like rhubarb.  In fact, I need it; it’s my only source of Vitamin K.”.

Doesn’t he have the right to grow rhubarb, if he wants to?  You can tell him about the dangers that you know of, but shouldn’t he be allowed to grow the rhubarb, if he chooses?  Couldn’t we do our best to live with the rhubarb: we wouldn’t deny its dangers, but we could rejoice in its positive aspects, even if we ourselves, do not wish to partake.  You know potatoes have a dangerous side as well (when they are green).

We are all like these vegetables.  There are parts of me which can be dangerous.  (In fact, I was just about to throw something a moment ago in a fit of anger, as I had a fight with my telephone.)  If you understand the dangerous part of me (that part which becomes enraged by domineering technology) it is easy for you to avoid that dangerous part of me, and find a more useful part, just like the rhubarb.

If we all learn to follow our inner guidance, we may each be heading to a different place and each following a different path, but as you see another on their path, they may show you a new way of climbing that hill, or a different way of descending that mountain

Each of us has unique God-given gifts.  As we witness each other exhibiting those gifts, we are each sharing, just as we would share our vegetables.

Some people think that their religion is the only one that gives all of the answers, but what if, instead of trying to force our potatoes on everyone, we learned to share the best of our religions with each other.  What a glorious world it would be.

The Bible tells us that Jesus ate with tax collectors and sinners.  He didn’t separate himself from those who others may have considered unworthy.  He shared his message with all who would listen.

Similarly, The Koran also promotes tolerance of other peoples and beliefs, and encourages believers to share the knowledge they have been given.

We know that the God of The Koran, The Bible and The Torah, is one and the same.  We are all part of one creation, all born into the family of God.  I believe it is time now to embrace other religions and other peoples, and share our gifts with each other.

What vegetables do you have to share?

If you want to learn more about other faiths, and share your gifts with others, perhaps you might be interested in joining or starting a New Spirituality Study Group.

http://www.newspirituality.org.au/

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