Enslavement and Empowerment

[juantoo3]

I realize some people are very passionate about their beliefs. I am about my own. There is a certain freedom in taking control over one’s own destiny, in taking charge of one’s fate, if not in this life then certainly in what is to come.

Then there are others who, for lack of a better way to put it, could care less. They are only too happy to have their fates dictated to them. To some degree I suppose we are all subject to this. We can’t all be doctors, and plumbers, and auto mechanics and computer whizzes, all at the same time. We have a tendency to specialize, in large part because there are only so many hours in a day, and only so much brain to wrap around a given subject. So we take in what we can, those things that are important to us and relevant to our situation. Some people are content to allow another to direct their walk in life, to conduct their affairs in accord with how some particular spiritual leader tells them. They are content to have their spiritual lives directed by a “specialist.” After all, we trust specialists to know what they are doing.

I suppose this is acceptable, provided the spiritual leader sincerely has the best interests of the individual at heart. It is also a heavy responsibility, guiding another along the walk of faith. The problem enters when one discovers that the typical spiritual leader is every bit as human as the next person. Place a person on a pedestal, and they will invariably fall, sooner or later.

Being enslaved to a particular doctrine, held in bondage by the attitudes of another, can be a risky proposition. I have had the misfortune of walking that path once. I didn’t question the sincerity of the person I am speaking of, but over time I noticed that the goalposts kept changing. And, of course, if my own outlook did not change in lockstep with “his,” there was something wrong with me. The reality was nothing of the sort. It took time, a great deal of it, but I came to the realization I needed to direct my own walk. I have done so since. Forever is a very long time, and my soul is precious to me. I no longer trust it to any specialist.

There is empowerment in walking my own walk. Now, I wish to be clear, I do not mean making things up as I go, or picking and choosing a “smorgasbord” religion. I do mean studying for myself in the chosen walk I prefer, and using common sense to guide myself on that path.

I suspect, after a lot of years of travelling this road, that this empowerment is what the leaders of the various religions had in mind. In fairness, I can only speak with semi-certainty regarding the teachings of Jesus, much less so of all others, but I suspect empowerment of the individual is the underlying principle behind all of the major faiths.

There is a huge difference. I do not think the major faiths began with the intent of enslaving the people with doctrine and dogma. I think many people get hung up on “the letter of the law,” and overlook the intent behind it. I think the intent underlying the major faiths is the empowerment of the individual. The spiritual leaders whose words we look to guide our lives by originally came “to set the captives free.”

Trouble is, there is power in slavery. Political machines the world over understand this. And the typical under-educated “common” person has little clue, and even less political ability to resist. But the times, they are a-changin’. Especially with the advent of the internet, and the ability to interact with people of diverse walks, allows empowerment on a degree unheard of before. We have only to reach out and grab the golden ring.

This forum allows a unique perspective, further fostering empowerment. Yet many do not understand that empowerment. There still exists in the world, and even here, those who feel their walk is the only walk. In the sense that their walk is correct for them, their view is legitimate. Beyond that, when there is insistence that their walk is the only way for others, they knowingly or not wish to enslave, rather than empower.

It is a fine line, believing passionately in a walk of faith, and imposing that passionate belief on others. It is one thing to share a point of view, to share “what works for me.” It is quite another to impose that belief, whatever it may be, on all comers, to the exclusion of other walks.

If I seem passionate in my walk, it is because I am passionate about it. Part of that walk is to empower others. Which is why I do not discount other points of view, even if I personally disagree. It is why I take exception to self-proclaimed prophets who “know the truth.” It is why I do not impose my views on others. I stand my ground if I feel well founded, but I do not disregard the views of others. It is better I think, to walk my walk, and live my life as an example. Sometimes I goof up, we all do. I do not belong on a pedestal, and I would immediately climb back down if someone tried to place me there.

Those who would enslave others, climb the pedestal of their own volition, and defy others to knock them off. And they will fall, it is only a matter of time. It is inevitable; it is human nature assisted by the law of gravity.

[Bandit]

this is real good Juan . i appreciate your post.
i also feel it is important, with you, to at least TRY to understand different perspectives & also to acknowledge that we understand what others are saying. does not mean we have to agree, use force & take the throne, for we will surely be brought down by the law of gravity.

[truthseeker]

Thank You, Juan.

You are speaking from my very heart - I agree 94% and I couldn't have said the core of your statement better.

The 6% is:

But the times, they are a-changin'. Especially with the advent of the internet, and the ability to interact with people of diverse walks, allows empowerment on a degree unheard of before. We have only to reach out and grab the golden ring.

But you said it - we have only to reach out and grab the golden ring. Problem is, as you stated, the enslaved who don't really understand that they are enslaved because the overall picture keeps them consumed in fear, prompting them to consumption.

[path_of_one]

I have nothing to add, except that this was a great post, Juan.

I love it.

Thank you.

[juantoo3]

Thanks guys and gals!

[thotzRthingz]

just a couple of observations, and comments, of my own:

We can’t all be doctors, and plumbers, and auto mechanics and computer whizzes, all at the same time.

i'm inclined to think that we can be, and in fact that we are, all of these things. perhaps it is our own self-doubt, or perhaps it is our own gluttony and greed, which leaves us lacking? for example, on a very simplistic level: on the one hand; if i did not own automobiles, then i would have no need of things within the realm of auto-mechanics. on the other hand; auto-mechanics is not beyond anyone's capability to master. so it is really all about our choices and our thinking, is it not?

Some people are content to allow another to direct their walk in life

are not they only fooling themselves? don't they actually direct their own lives, even if only by proxy? don't each of us process our environmental surroundings, including humanistic associations and belief systems, and choose our own path? at least within my own belief system:

Enslavement:
falsely thinking that others control our destiny or have any power over us

Empowerment:
taking responsibility for what we encounter as being none other than that of our own creation

i'm not completely disagreeing with you, Juan. just pondering the underlying possibility that we have created that which we encounter; reaping what we have sown, in both thotz and deedz, along the way.

peace

[juantoo3]

Kindest Regards, thotzRthingz, and welcome to CR!

Thank you for your reply!

i'm inclined to think that we can be, and in fact that we are, all of these things. perhaps it is our own self-doubt, or perhaps it is our own gluttony and greed, which leaves us lacking?... so it is really all about our choices and our thinking, is it not?

On a very surface level I can agree, in that necessity requires us to learn and do things we might not otherwise attempt. Which is why my comment about learning things relative to our circumstances. If we can afford a "specialist" to fix our automobile, we may choose to have that specialist do that work. Or we may choose to do our own work. Nevertheless, in order to do the job correctly it requires effort, skill and tools. Perhaps we have these, perhaps we don't. It may be "cheaper" to do the job ourselves, but if we do not do the job correctly, we will likely end up requiring the services of a specialist anyway, to undo our "fix." This is even better seen regarding the "doctor" scenario, in that I know of no person capable of performing surgery on themselves. To the degree that we are actually capable, I agree it is our choice. I also understand we sometimes make foolish choices.

are not they only fooling themselves? don't they actually direct their own lives, even if only by proxy? don't each of us process our environmental surroundings, including humanistic associations and belief systems, and choose our own path?

Certainly! I do not discount the value of choices. We all direct our lives every minute of every day by our choices. I chose to respond to your comments. I could have as easily chosen not to. I could choose to have my spiritual walk directed by another (whom I would have to trust as being fully capable of doing so). I choose not to, I choose to direct my own way up the path, because I have lost that trust. I have chosen to put a great deal of effort into gaining the skill and tools needed to guide myself on my path, in the fervent hope that I now have the capability.

In the sense that none of us can know with absolute certainty, I will not know if I am successful until the moment comes. In the meantime, I will proceed the best I know how with what skills and abilities I have available to me.

So yes, I agree, our choices are important. But our choices are not the end in themselves. It is what we do that ultimately matters in the end.

Enslavement:
falsely thinking that others control our destiny or have any power over us

Yes! With the caveat that thoughts are things ( ), so we do not always perceive "false." To ourself, it is true, even if to another it is not.

Empowerment:
taking responsibility for what we encounter as being none other than that of our own creation

I agree up until the last part of the statement, in that it may not always be "my" creation I am looking at. I accept I see the world through my own personal lenses, filtered through my perceptions and pre-dispositions. Even so, what I see is not necessarily of my own creation. IOW, filtered and colored yes, my creation not necessarily.

i'm not completely disagreeing with you, Juan. just pondering the underlying possibility that we have created that which we encounter; reaping what we have sown, in both thotz and deedz, along the way.

Nor am I completely disagreeing with you, I do think there is more to the story, and rather than present a drawn out theological discourse, I chose instead to place a very limited focus on what I initially had to say.

In the sense that we live with the repercussions of our choices we do create that which we encounter.

Being able to see the repercussisons ahead of time is foresight, something that separates us from all other animals.

[juantoo3]

I accept I see the world through my own personal lenses, filtered through my perceptions and pre-dispositions. Even so, what I see is not necessarily of my own creation. IOW, filtered and colored yes, my creation not necessarily.

Apologies, but I am still not comfortable with what I tried to say here.

I agree that what I see is colored through my perceptions and inclinations, but what I am looking at may not be, and many times is not, my own creation. It is my interpretation, not necessarily my creation.

I'm still not sure that clears this thought for others.

In the sense that we live with the repercussions of our choices we do create that which we encounter.

We deal with the consequences of our actions.

[thotzRthingz]

juantoo3 (i really like that choice of username, and thanks for the welcome!),

i think i understand from whence you're coming... and also your choice to narrow-down what you are presenting.

i have come along a similar path (i think), but currently i'm more inclined to view all thingz physical, as being created by us. with none of us experiencing exactly the same physical reality (or illusion, as the case may be)?! that is to say; everything physical is but a projection from our mind, with our thotz influencing physical matter/manifestations. and with our physical world being recreated daily, from memory, as we awaken to each new day. the closest depiction of my beliefs (without me having to type a book or two) is perhaps best portrayed by the movie What The Bleep Do We Know!?

peace

[juantoo3]

Kindest Regards, thotzRthings!

i'm more inclined to view all thingz physical, as being created by us. with none of us experiencing exactly the same physical reality (or illusion, as the case may be)?! that is to say; everything physical is but a projection from our mind, with our thotz influencing physical matter/manifestations. and with our physical world being recreated daily, from memory, as we awaken to each new day.

Well, I suppose I agree to a point. If we are talking about, oh, an airplane, then yes many collective thoughts have created that machine, beginning even before the Wright Brothers.

On the other hand, if we are talking about a 300 year old oak tree in the middle of a park, well, I just don't see this quite the same way. Yes, I will see that tree differently than you will, you perhaps are taller than me, standing on a different side with better vision. I see that tree from a lower vantage, from a side different from you, and with vision fading with age. We both see the same tree, yet it has different meaning to each of us. You see the songbirds, I feed the squirrels. We both appreciate the tree for different reasons, no less valid. Yet your view is not my view, nor is mine yours. Neither of us, (or our views,) has created that tree, but each of us interprets that tree.

I see the major faith walks in a similar way to the tree.

Oh, regarding our thoughts influencing the physical reality, yes. Perhaps one of us would prefer to cut down the tree and pave it over with a parking lot (with a nod to the old song "Big Yellow Taxi"). I will leave it to imagination how this translates into faith walks.

the closest depiction of my beliefs (without me having to type a book or two) is perhaps best portrayed by the movie What The Bleep Do We Know!?

Haven't seen it, but I am cautiously curious about it.

I did not mean to imply this subject shouldn't be expanded, and if you have more to share, by all means do. The initial point was made in order to open a discussion, thanks.