Here's a teaching that is often not understood, or misunderstood...DON'T RESIST EVIL.
Here's one of Jesus' teachings-
Mt 5.38 “You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’(No more than that!)
Mt 5.39 But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also.
Mt 5.40 If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too.
And a great story about Buddha that teaches THE SAME MESSAGE (credit for this story to Tara Brach, from her book- "Radical Acceptance", pp. 75,6.)
When Mara (the Buddhist name for 'The Evil One') fled, after Siddhartha's awakening as 'Buddha', it was only temporary. Mara kept coming back; and when he did Buddha would calmly acknowledge his presence, saying, "I see you, Mara." He would then invite him for tea, as an honored guest. Offering Mara a cushion, so he could sit comfortably. Buddha would fill two earthen cups with tea, place them on a low table, between them and only then take a seat. Mara would stay for a while, then leave, but throughout Buddha remained free and undistrubed.
We are not to resist, but to participate. Participation MUST be with EVERYTHING that comes our way...and participation is to be done with EQUANIMITY (freedom); for there are many opportunities to get caught by our desires and fears. If we exclude aspects of our world (those being parts of ourselves) we strengthen those energies and they will come back to tempt us later. Mindfulness practice helps us to see what is happening now, while providing us a clear view that is more connected to our true nature; rather than being trapped and anxious in the alienated creature most people think of as 'self'.
Matthew
Here's one of Jesus' teachings-
Mt 5.38 “You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’(No more than that!)
Mt 5.39 But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also.
Mt 5.40 If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too.
And a great story about Buddha that teaches THE SAME MESSAGE (credit for this story to Tara Brach, from her book- "Radical Acceptance", pp. 75,6.)
When Mara (the Buddhist name for 'The Evil One') fled, after Siddhartha's awakening as 'Buddha', it was only temporary. Mara kept coming back; and when he did Buddha would calmly acknowledge his presence, saying, "I see you, Mara." He would then invite him for tea, as an honored guest. Offering Mara a cushion, so he could sit comfortably. Buddha would fill two earthen cups with tea, place them on a low table, between them and only then take a seat. Mara would stay for a while, then leave, but throughout Buddha remained free and undistrubed.
We are not to resist, but to participate. Participation MUST be with EVERYTHING that comes our way...and participation is to be done with EQUANIMITY (freedom); for there are many opportunities to get caught by our desires and fears. If we exclude aspects of our world (those being parts of ourselves) we strengthen those energies and they will come back to tempt us later. Mindfulness practice helps us to see what is happening now, while providing us a clear view that is more connected to our true nature; rather than being trapped and anxious in the alienated creature most people think of as 'self'.
Matthew
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