Midweek Thought For Meditation 3/18/26
Hi Everyone,
This week our spiritual reflection changes to one of acceptance. Andrew Harvey, who writes the introduction for this section, said every time he is tempted to judge or grow angry and dismissive, he remembers his conversation with his father. His father asked him to always be a gentleman and gave him four qualities to strive for.
The first quality is always to be courteous and respectful towards anyone, whatever their importance, class or circumstances. Second, never criticize anyone’s religion. Nearly all the violence in the world springs from people criticizing or mocking each other's religion. Thirdly, never confront others with their faults. Instead spend time examining yourself and trying to make changes for the good. The fourth and the last quality is never return hatred for hatred but strive to forgive and love your enemies.
Look at the heart, not the face.
The world sees the mouth; God sees the stomach.
African Traditional Religions. Igala proverb
CHRISTIANITY
Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgement. John 7:24
As for those who seem to be important—- whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not judge by external appearances. Galatians 2:6
ISLAM
Allah does not look to your face and your wealth but he looks to your heart and to your deeds. Hadith of Muslim
BUDDHISM
Though people’s faces and forms are handsome or beautiful, with words that flow easily, do not consider them admirable if they are jealous, mean and brutish. Dhammapada 262
HINDUISM
The arrow is straight but cruel; the lute is crooked but sweet. Therefore judge people by their acts, not their appearance. Tirukkural 279
What good is a body perfect in outer ways, if inwardly it is impaired by lack of love? Tirukkural 79
JUDAISM
Do not consider appearance or height… People look at the outward appearance, but the lord looks at the heart. I Samuel 16.7
CONFUCIANISM
Inferior people try to disguise themselves, concealing their evil, and displaying what is good. The noble-minded behold them as if seeing their heart and reins. The Great Learning, Commentary
TAOISM
When virtue excels, the outward form is forgotten. Chuang Tzu 5
A dog is not reckon good because it barks well; and people are not reckoned wise because they speak skillfully. The Writings of Chuang Tzu, book XXIV. III. II.10
*Here are a few musical links to help reinforce the concept and offer encouragement, helping to deepen our understanding of the theme and inviting us to reflect on God's acceptance of us, as we are called to extend the same acceptance to others.
Need To Breathe https://youtu.be/xkEEpfrfNl4
Scars To Your Beautiful https://youtu.be/_epVgBDPBOg
The Same Love https://youtu.be/9ZWOeCgBuB8
Man In The Mirror https://youtu.be/PivWY9wn5ps
*Owen is our voice of a younger generation, and he is helping us stay current with a modern take on a timeless theme.
Owen's pick!
Beauty https://youtu.be/8hklLwZAMLk
Hi Everyone,
This week our spiritual reflection changes to one of acceptance. Andrew Harvey, who writes the introduction for this section, said every time he is tempted to judge or grow angry and dismissive, he remembers his conversation with his father. His father asked him to always be a gentleman and gave him four qualities to strive for.
The first quality is always to be courteous and respectful towards anyone, whatever their importance, class or circumstances. Second, never criticize anyone’s religion. Nearly all the violence in the world springs from people criticizing or mocking each other's religion. Thirdly, never confront others with their faults. Instead spend time examining yourself and trying to make changes for the good. The fourth and the last quality is never return hatred for hatred but strive to forgive and love your enemies.
Look at the heart, not the face.
The world sees the mouth; God sees the stomach.
African Traditional Religions. Igala proverb
CHRISTIANITY
Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgement. John 7:24
As for those who seem to be important—- whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not judge by external appearances. Galatians 2:6
ISLAM
Allah does not look to your face and your wealth but he looks to your heart and to your deeds. Hadith of Muslim
BUDDHISM
Though people’s faces and forms are handsome or beautiful, with words that flow easily, do not consider them admirable if they are jealous, mean and brutish. Dhammapada 262
HINDUISM
The arrow is straight but cruel; the lute is crooked but sweet. Therefore judge people by their acts, not their appearance. Tirukkural 279
What good is a body perfect in outer ways, if inwardly it is impaired by lack of love? Tirukkural 79
JUDAISM
Do not consider appearance or height… People look at the outward appearance, but the lord looks at the heart. I Samuel 16.7
CONFUCIANISM
Inferior people try to disguise themselves, concealing their evil, and displaying what is good. The noble-minded behold them as if seeing their heart and reins. The Great Learning, Commentary
TAOISM
When virtue excels, the outward form is forgotten. Chuang Tzu 5
A dog is not reckon good because it barks well; and people are not reckoned wise because they speak skillfully. The Writings of Chuang Tzu, book XXIV. III. II.10
*Here are a few musical links to help reinforce the concept and offer encouragement, helping to deepen our understanding of the theme and inviting us to reflect on God's acceptance of us, as we are called to extend the same acceptance to others.
Need To Breathe https://youtu.be/xkEEpfrfNl4
Scars To Your Beautiful https://youtu.be/_epVgBDPBOg
The Same Love https://youtu.be/9ZWOeCgBuB8
Man In The Mirror https://youtu.be/PivWY9wn5ps
*Owen is our voice of a younger generation, and he is helping us stay current with a modern take on a timeless theme.
Owen's pick!
Beauty https://youtu.be/8hklLwZAMLk
