The only way
The Christian mystic Meister Eckhart (13th century) once said:-
They do Him wrong who know and worship God in only one particular way - they end with the way rather than God.
When quoting this before, some have responded by quoting the New Testament:- Jesus said "I am the way, the truth and the life - no one comes to the Father but by me", as if such contradicts Eckhart's words.
Which demonstrates that they have missed the true spiritual message and insight contained in Eckhart's words. Those words of Jesus are found in the Gospel of St John, and Jesus is speaking as the eternal logos, as spoken of in the prologue to that Gospel. In effect, according to the hermeneutics of many eminent theologians, even of the Protestant Tradition, this simply means that Jesus (as Jesus) is A way, not THE way.
The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao.
The name that can be named is not the eternal name.
(Opening of the Tao te Ching)
Possibly the point is too subtle for certain religious minds.
In my own Pure Land tradition, one devotee expressed her understanding like this:-
In the timeless process of birth-and-death,
for the first time I was made to realize
the Other Power of Amida Buddha.
My understanding resulted from listening,
but listening is nothing but a little scratch on a precious gem.
I trusted my understanding instead of trusting Amida.
Until now I was satisfied with my understanding.
But, my understanding does not save me;
It is Amida who saves me.
And further, in the words of Rennyo:-
Faith does not arise
Within oneself.
The Entrusting Heart is itself
Given by the Other Power.
All is gift. Pure Grace.
Sadly, many trust in their "decision for Jesus" - in effect, a salvation by works. Their "choice" has determined God's attitude toward them. The One who "changes not"!
Really, that is it. I will not engage in dispute with those who insist that Jesus is the only way. I know from experience just how pointless it is. We shall just have to disagree.
I'd also add that the points raised here can relate to the totally non-religious sphere. Any form of individual allegiance/assertion/belief can be used for "justification" of the self, which then can congeal. But then again, "the beginning of love is to let those we love be perfectly themselves, and not to twist them to fit our own image. Otherwise we love only the reflection of ourselves we find in them" (Thomas Merton)
The beginning........
PS Just to add that from now on I will only read and respond to any notifications I get on a once a day basis - when in McDonalds. Looking them up at odd moments during the day, I then feel obliged to answer immediately. This I find disturbs my mind. Thank you.
They do Him wrong who know and worship God in only one particular way - they end with the way rather than God.
When quoting this before, some have responded by quoting the New Testament:- Jesus said "I am the way, the truth and the life - no one comes to the Father but by me", as if such contradicts Eckhart's words.
Which demonstrates that they have missed the true spiritual message and insight contained in Eckhart's words. Those words of Jesus are found in the Gospel of St John, and Jesus is speaking as the eternal logos, as spoken of in the prologue to that Gospel. In effect, according to the hermeneutics of many eminent theologians, even of the Protestant Tradition, this simply means that Jesus (as Jesus) is A way, not THE way.
The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao.
The name that can be named is not the eternal name.
(Opening of the Tao te Ching)
Possibly the point is too subtle for certain religious minds.
In my own Pure Land tradition, one devotee expressed her understanding like this:-
In the timeless process of birth-and-death,
for the first time I was made to realize
the Other Power of Amida Buddha.
My understanding resulted from listening,
but listening is nothing but a little scratch on a precious gem.
I trusted my understanding instead of trusting Amida.
Until now I was satisfied with my understanding.
But, my understanding does not save me;
It is Amida who saves me.
And further, in the words of Rennyo:-
Faith does not arise
Within oneself.
The Entrusting Heart is itself
Given by the Other Power.
All is gift. Pure Grace.
Sadly, many trust in their "decision for Jesus" - in effect, a salvation by works. Their "choice" has determined God's attitude toward them. The One who "changes not"!
Really, that is it. I will not engage in dispute with those who insist that Jesus is the only way. I know from experience just how pointless it is. We shall just have to disagree.
I'd also add that the points raised here can relate to the totally non-religious sphere. Any form of individual allegiance/assertion/belief can be used for "justification" of the self, which then can congeal. But then again, "the beginning of love is to let those we love be perfectly themselves, and not to twist them to fit our own image. Otherwise we love only the reflection of ourselves we find in them" (Thomas Merton)
The beginning........
PS Just to add that from now on I will only read and respond to any notifications I get on a once a day basis - when in McDonalds. Looking them up at odd moments during the day, I then feel obliged to answer immediately. This I find disturbs my mind. Thank you.
SW-User
