#30. 2002/01/07.
(...). Chase after money and security
and your heart will never unclench. Care about people's approval and you
will be their prisoner. Do your work, then step back. The only path to
serenity. (Tao Te Ching 9, quoted after: Novak Philip, The World Wisdom,
P.153.)
#31. 2002/01/10.
One thing I ask of the Lord, it
is the one thing I seek: that I may dwell in the house of my Lord all the
days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in his
temple. (Psalm 27:4)
#32. 2002/01/14.
All comfort we get from human sources
is empty and soon gone; true comfort, blessed comfort, is that which is
inwardly given by the Truth.
(Thomas A Kempis, Imitation of
Christ, III.16.2)
#33. 2002/01/18.
(...) For the love of God, discipline
yourself in body and spirit so that you preserve your health as long as
you can. (The Cloud of Unknowing, P.101.)
#34. 2002/01/21.
Prayer is a language of love from
the heart to the Father, and nobody exists then between you and the Father.
You're not conscious of the world when you pray to Him. He exists and you
exist. That is real prayer, and it is only possible at the time of meditation
when we try to forget all that we are and where we are. (Maharaj Charan
Singh, quoted after Miriam Bokser Caravella, The Holy Name. P.225.)
#35. 2002/01/23.
(...) You must seek that unity
from whence there is an awareness that we are all one. Seek harmony in
all that you do. (...)
(Heirakhan Babaji [1970-1984],
quoted after: "Babaji Mahavatar," backcover.)
#36. 2002/01/25.
(...) And I make it my business
only to persevere in His holy presence, wherein I keep myself by a simple
attention, and a general fond regard to God, which I may call an actual
presence of God; or, to speak better, an habitual, silent, and secret conversation
of the soul with God, which often causes me joys and raptures inwardly,
and sometimes also outwardly, so great that I am forced to use means to
moderate them and prevent their appearance to others. (Brother Lawrence
[circa 1666], The Practice of the Presence of God, P.37-38.)
#37. 2002/02/04.
One I seek, One I know, One I see,
One I call. He is the first, he is the last, he is the outward, he is the
inward; I know none other except "O he" and "O he who is." I am intoxicated
with Love's cup, the worlds have passed out of my ken; (...)(Jalal Al-Din
Rumi, (1207-1273), Sufi mystic. Quoted in: Buber, Ecstatic Confessions,
P.28.)
#38. 2002/02/11.
The Now in which God created the
first man and the Now in which the last man will disappear and the Now
in which I am speaking - all are the same in God, and there is only one
Now. (Meister Eckhart, (1260-1327), Christian mystic. Quoted after: Novak
Philip, The World's Wisdom, P.270.)
#39. 2002/02/12.
He who penetrates the great universal
harmony keeps himself withdrawn like one who is drunk from a noble wine
and lies down with benevolent feelings. (Lao-Tse, from the book "Wen-Tse".
In: Buber, Ecstatic Confessions, P.145.) (February 12, New Moon, Chinese/Vietnamese/Tibetan
New Year - Year of the Horse.)
#40. 2002/02/13.
It is because from real repentance
and humbleness of heart is born the hope of pardon; the conscience that
was troubled is restored to God's favor, the grace that has been lost is
returned, and man is shielded from the wrath to come. God and the penitent
soul run to meet each other with a holy kiss. (Thomas A Kempis, The Imitation
of Christ, III.52.3) (February 13, Ash Wednesday (Western))
#41. 2002/02/14.
Love has no other desire but to
fulfill itself. But if you love and must needs have desires, let it be
your desires:To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody
to the night. To know the pain of too much tenderness. To be wounded by
your own understanding of love; and to bleed willingly and joyfully. To
wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving.
To rest at the noon hour and meditate love's ecstasy; to return home at
eventide with gratitude. And then to sleep with a prayer for the beloved
in your heart and a song of praise upon your lips. (Kahlil
Gibran, The Prophet, P.13-14.) February 14, Valentine's Day.
#42. 2002/02/21.
(...)When the exalted Lord, annihilating
my temporal being, allowed me to participate in his unending duration,
the clarity of my eye was sharpened even to infallibility. I saw God with
God's eye; I saw God through God; and entrenching myself in the truth,
I remained calm and at peace. I closed the opening of my ear, I drew my
tongue back into my helpless mouth, and I threw away the borrowed knowledge
which I had learned from the creatures. (Bayezid Bistami, Sufi mystic,
9th Century; quoted in: Buber, Ecstatic Confessions, P.19) February
21, Day of Haji, commemorates the concluding revelation to the Prophet
at Mount Arafat shortly before his death.
#43. 2002/02/25.
The worst character traits which
impede a person's cleaving to God are the following: pride, anger, impatience,
a sorrowful disposition, hatred, envy, lust after bodily pleasures, the
desire to dominate, the seeking after honor, the showing off of his good
deeds before people. The opposite of these is humility in its extreme form.
(Safed, the Jewish mystic of XVI-th century, quoted in: Miriam Bokser Caravella,
The Holy Name. P.235.) February 25, Eve of Purim, celebrates victory
over an oppressive ruler, as related in the Book of Esther, which is read
at this time.
#44. 2002/03/06.
Whatever comes in life, just take
it joyfully, impersonally, as you would a motion picture. Life is entertaining
when we do not take it too seriously. A good laugh is an excellent remedy
for human ills. (Paramahansa Yogananda, Man's Eternal Quest, P.127.)
#45. 2002/03/10.
I wish to engrave in every heart
the sign of love. If you love all mankind, then there is peace in you.
If you are at peace with all men, it is the kingdom of love. (Our Lady
of Medjugorie, January 18, 1984. Words from Heaven, P.362..)
#46. 2002/03/12.
Every moment, in each breath, while
eating, sleeping, and working, remember the Lord's name. (Teachings of
Babaji, P.35.) March 12 - Mahashivratri, the feast of Shiva.
#47. 2002/03/14.
There is but one God. He is all
that is. He is the Creator of all things and He is all-pervasive. He is
without fear and without enmity. He is timeless, unborn and self-existent.
He is the Enlightener and He can be realized by grace of Himself alone.
He was in the beginning; He was in all ages. The True One is, was, O Nanak,
and shall forever be. (Japji, part of the morning prayer first recited
by Guru Nanak. Harbans Singh, Guru Nanak, PP.96-7.) March 14 - Nanakshahi,
Sikh New Year.
#48. 2002/03/22.
One who works in devotion, who
is a pure soul, and who controls his mind and senses, is dear to everyone
and everyone is dear to him. Though always working, such a man is never
entangled. (Gita 5:7.)
#49. 2002/03/27.
Israel, remember this! The Lord
- and the Lord alone - is our God. Love the Lord our God with all your
heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. Never forget these
commands that I am giving you today. Teach them to your children. Repeat
them when you are at home and when you are away, when you are resting and
when you are working. Tie them on your arms and wear them on your foreheads
as a reminder. Write them on the doorposts of your houses and on your gates.
(Deuteronomy 6:5-9) March 27 - the Eve of Pesah, or Passover, commemorating
the departure of the Isrealites from Egypt.
#50. 2002/03/28.
One who becomes conscious of Me
passes over all the obstacles of conditional life. However, if one does
not work in such consciousness but acts through false ego, not hearing
Me, he is lost. (Gita 18:58) March 28 - Holi, a colorful and joyous
festival dedicated to Krishna or Kama.
#51. 2002/03/28.
He who eats my flesh and drinks
my blood lives in me and I live in him. As I, who am sent by the living
Father, myself draw life from the Father, so whoever eats me will draw
life from me. (John 6:56-57) March 28 - Maundy Thursday, celebrates
the institution of the Lord's Supper by Jesus.
#52. 2002/03/31.
The Resurrection is the revelation
of life, which is affirmed as present beyond the boundary of death. (...)
His Resurrection, His victory over death, embraces every man. (John Paul
II, Crossing the Threshold of Hope, P.72) March 31 - Easter Sunday,
commemorates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
#53. 2002/04/03.
May all be happy and safe! May
all beings gain inner joy - all living beings whatever ... seen or unseen.
Dwelling afar or near, born or yet unborn - may all beings gain inner joy.
May no beings deceive another, nor in any way scorn another, nor, in anger
or ill-will, desire another's sorrow. As mother cares for her son, her
only son, all her days, so toward all things living a man's mind should
be all-embracing. Friendliness for the whole world, all-embracing, he should
raise his mind above, below, and across, unhindered, free from hate and
ill-will.
(Sutta Nipata, The Buddhist Tradition,
PP.37-38)
#54. 2002/04/05.
Like the spear pierces the shield
in a moment, I passed through nights and days. This is why all believes
and religions are for me One and hundred thousands of years just a moment...
(Mevlana 1207-1273, Turkish sage, mystic and poet.)
#55. 2002/04/09.
The essence of the Jewish concept
of life seems to me to be the affirmation of life for all creatures. For
the life of the individual has meaning only in the service of enhancing
and ennobling the life of every living thing. Life is holy; i.e., it is
the highest worth on which all other values depend (...). (Alberta Einstein,
The Sanctification of Life, quoted after: Novak Philip, The World's Wisdom,
P.218.) April 9 - Yom Hashoah, commemorates the victims of the Holocaust.
#56. 2002/04/13.
There is a light that shines beyond
all things on earth, beyond us all, beyond the heavens, beyond the highest,
the very highest heavens. This is the Light that shines in our heart. (Chandogya
Upanishad, quoted after: Novak Philip, The World Wisdom, P.21.) April
13 - Vaisikhi, popular festival in India, celebrating the first day
of the new solar year.
#57. 2002/04/18.
(God) did not make the heavens
in his image, nor the moon, the sun, the beauty of the stars, nor anything
else which you can see in the created universe. YOU ALONE are made in the
likeness of that nature which surpasses all understanding; YOU ALONE are
a similitude of eternal beauty, a receptacle of happiness, an image of
the true light; and if YOU look up to him, you will become what he is,
imitating him who shines within you, whose glory is reflected in your purity.
Nothing in all creation can equal your grandeur. All the heavens can fit
into the palm of God's hand; the earth and the sea are measured in the
hollow of his hand. And though he is so great that he can grasp all creation
in his palm, you can wholly embrace him; he dwells within you, nor is he
cramped as he pervades your entire being (...). (Gregory of Nyssa, Commentarius
in Canticum Canticorum, Oratio 2, 807-8. Quoted in Jean Danielou S.J.,
From Glory to Glory, P.162-3, quoted in R.C. Zaehner, Evolution in Religion,
pp.65-6)
#58. 2002/04/20.
The Supreme Personality of Godhead
said: Fearlessness, purification of one's existence, cultivation of spiritual
knowledge, charity, sense of control, performance of sacrifice, study of
the Vedas, austerity, simplicity, nonviolence, truthfulness, freedom from
anger, renunciation, peacefulness, aversion to fault finding, compassion
toward every living entity, freedom from greed, gentleness, shyness, determination,
vigor, forgiveness, fortitude, cleanliness, and freedom from both envy
and the passion for honor - these are the transcendental qualities, born
of the godly atmosphere, O son of Bharata. (Gita 16:1-3) April 21 -
Ramanavami, celebrates the birthday of Rama, the seventh incarnation of
the God Vishnu. Hindus read the Ramayana, a Hindu epic, which tells the
story of Rama, during the previous eight days.
#59. 2002/04/26.
Everyone who comes here should
be prepared to do any kind of work. In this Age, work purifies and is the
best spiritual practice (sadhana). (...) Work is so good that it prevents
disease and gives you mental ease. Work is such a good thing that it relieves
man of all ailments. Learn to talk less and work more. This is the field
of spiritual practice. Karma is the highest way of perfection. It is a
great thing to take a human body. Whoever comes to the earth must do work.
(Teachings of Babaji, P.24-25.) April 25 - Mahavira-jayanti, celebrates
the birthday of Lord Mahavira, the Great Hero of Jain religion.
#60. 2002/05/06.
Many people take wine to banish
sad or unpleasant memories and worries, but that kind of forgetfulness
robs man of his native soul wisdom - the very power by which he was meant
to overcome his trials and to find lasting happiness. God, being Joy Itself,
wants us to seek and to find, within our souls, His ever-new bliss. (Paramahansa
Yogananda, Man's Eternal Quest, P.160. ) May 5 - Pascha is celebrated
in the Eastern, Orthodox Church.
#61. 2002/05/12.
Whoever is a loving person has
been born of God and knows God. (1 John 4:7.)
#62. 2002/05/17.
God is beautiful and loves beauty.
(Hadith, quoted after: Novak Philip, The World's Wisdom, P.322.) May
17-18 - Shavout, commemorates the giving of the Torah to the Israelites.
#63. 2002/06/04.
I hope the affliction which God
has sent him will prove a wholesome remedy to him, and make him enter into
himself. It is an accident which should engage him to put all his trust
in Him who accompanies him everywhere. (Brother Lawrence, The Practice
of the Presence of God, P.41.)
#64. 2002/06/07.
But God teaches men through suffering
and uses distress to open their eyes. (Job 36:15.)
#65. 2002/06/11.
Any disaster that hits you is the
result of your own works, and He overlooks much more. There is no escape
for anyone, and you have none besides God as Lord and supporter. (Quran
42:30-31)
#66. 2002/06/15.
The yogi learns to find God in
the cave of his heart. Whenever he goes, he carries with him the blissful
consciousness of God's Presence. (...) Everyone can be a yogi, right where
he is now. (Paramahansa Yogananda, Man's Eternal Quest, P.18.)
#67. 2002/06/18.
The great revolution is very near!
There is no one in this world to stop it. This is a time of great destruction.
Everyone must become spiritually strong and courageous. He alone can survive
who has spiritual courage. Without spiritual courage, one is dead though
he is living. The time is coming very soon. So that is why you people all
must work. And be brave. Everyone must consider himself a humble servant
of the world.
(Teachings of Babaji, P.22..)
#68. 2002/06/26.
(...) The prayer of the heart gave
me such consolation that I felt there was no happier person on earth than
I, and I doubted if there could be greater and fuller happiness in the
kingdom of Heaven. Not only did I feel this in my own soul, but the whole
outside world also seemed to me full of charm and delight. Everything drew
me to love and thank God: people, trees, plants, animals. I saw them all
as my kinsfolk. I found on all of them the magic of the name of Jesus.
Sometimes I felt as light as though I had no body and was floating happily
through the air instead of walking. Sometimes when I withdrew into myself
I (...) was filled with wonder at the wisdom with which the human body
is made (...). And at all such times of happiness, I wished God would (...)
let me pour out my heart in thankfulness at His feet (...)." (The Russian
Pilgrim, quoted after: Novak Philip, The World's Wisdom, P.275.)
#69. 2002/06/29.
This is the pleasure of life to
feel the Presence of God. (Leonard Orr, the Father of Rebirthing-Breathwork
Movement)
#70. 2002/07/02.
(
) Be preoccupied with only the
essentials. Let yourself be guided by the Holy Spirit in depth, then your
work will go well. Do not hurry. Let yourself be guided and you will see
that everything will be accomplished well. (Our Lady of Medjugorie, July
4, 1983. Words from Heaven, P.345.)
#71. 2002/07/05.
Instead of materializing the spirit,
i.e. dragging the spiritual to the material plane (...) convert matter
into spirit - catch a glimpse at least, every day, of that world of infinite
beauty and peace and purity, the spiritual, and try to live it day and
night. (...) Let your soul ascend day and night like an unbroken string
unto the feet of the Beloved, whose throne is in your own heart, and let
the rest take care of themselves (...). (Vivekananda, quoted in: Nikhilananda,
Vivekananda, A Biography, P.77..)
#72. 2002/07/12.
Contemplation is a gift of God,
in which the soul, purified by His infused love, suddenly and inexplicably
experiences the presence of God within itself. (Merton, Thomas. Bread In
The Wilderness. P. 143.)
#73. 2002/07/18.
So who can be still and watch the
chess game of the world?The foolish are always making impulsive moves,
but the wise know that victory and defeat are decided by something more
subtle. They see that something perfect exists before any move is made.
(Hua Hu Ching 38, quoted after:
Novak Philip, The World's Wisdom. P.173.)
#74. 2002/07/20.
To create is to be like God (...).
When you are filled with the essence of all existence, then whatever you
say becomes true. (...) When a selfless person lives amongst us, his deeds
become the heart-beat of virtue. Whatever he does to others improves even
their meanest dreams. Whatever he touches becomes true and pure. He becomes
the father of reality.What he creates never flounders in time.
(Ramakrishna, quoted in: Rolland,
Romain. (1994). The Life of Ramakrishna. P.165-6.)
#75. 2002/07/31.
(...) he who refused to be gently
ruled by God is ruled harshly by himself, and he who freely threw off the
sweet and light yoke of love unwillingly bears the unbearable burden of
his own self-will. (St. Bernardine, De Diligendo Deo, quoted in: Merton,
Diaries. P.353.)
#76. 2002/08/03.
Cows may be different in breeds
or color or size, but the milk they yield is the same all over the world.
So, too, all religions, whatever their origin, are all means to the same
God. (Sai Baba, quoted in: Ray, Sondra, Interludes with the Gods, P.32.)
#77. 2002/08/10.
When suddenly you are clear, and
a great joy and rejoicing arises in you and your whole being, every fiber
of your body, mind and soul dances and you say, "Ah, this! Alleluia!" -
a great shout of joy arises in your being - that is enlightenment. Suddenly
stars come down from the rafters. You become part of the eternal dance
of existence. (Osho, Autobiography of a Spiritually Incorrect Mystic, P.161..)
#78. 2002/08/16.
Nothing can be achieved without
knowledge, and yet everything can be achieved just through a pure heart.
(Haidakhan Babaji [in]: Gaura Devi,
1990, Babaji's Teachings, P.7)
#79. 2002/08/28.
One might think that, with the
Bible as the center of Christianity, the unity of Christians could be easily
realized. But unfortunately this has not proved true, though we can
consider it fortunate indeed that, as this inability to unify proves, the
letter of the Bible cannot really replace the living Christ as the center
of our faith. The Bible is the expression of the life and work of
God, and since life is greater than its expression, it cannot be expressed
completely in any logical or theological form.Therefore, the Bible itself
cannot escape being understood in many different ways. Thus we see how
in the wisdom of God it is impossible in practice to make the Scriptures
the end or final authority to those who live in fellowship with the Spirit.
(Kokichi Kurosaki (1886-1970), One Body in Christ. Submitted to Merton-L
Discussion Group by Gary Horn.)
#80. 2002/09/05.
And I prayed earnestly to the Lord
God, pleading with him, fasting, wearing sackcloth, and sitting in ashes.
(Daniel 9:3.) September 06 - Eve of Rosh Hashanah, Jewish New Year.
The first of the Ten Days of Awe (or Repentance).
#81. 2002/09/15.
It is useless to break your head
over the same old details week after week and year after year, pruning
the same ten twigs off the top of the tree. Get at the root: union with
God. On these days drop everything and hide in yourself to find Him in
the silence where He is hidden with you, and listen to what He has to say.
(Montaldo, J.(Ed.)(1996). Entering the Silence. The Journals of Thomas
Merton, Vol.II, 1941-1952. P.64)
#82. 2002/09/22.
For thus says the LORD, who created
the heavens, who is God, who formed the earth and made it, who has established
it, who did not create it in vain, who formed it to be inhabited: "I am
the LORD, and there is no other. (Isaiah 45:18)
#83. 2002/09/29.
Only
That illumined
One
Who keeps
Seducing the formless into form
Had the charm to win my
Heart.
Only a Perfect One
Who is always
Laughing at the word
Two
Can make you know
Of
Love.
(Hafiz - LAUGHING AT THE WORD TWO, shared with babanetfreelist by Doret)
#84. 2002/10/05.
A truly human being is calm and
at ease; (...) (Confucius, quoted after: Novak Philip, The World's Wisdom,
P.129.)
#85. 2002/10/29.
My most useful method is this simple
attention, and a general passionate regard to God, to whom I find myself
often attached with greater sweetness and delight than that of an infant
at the mothers breast; so that, if I dare use the expression, I should
choose to call this state the bosom of God, for the inexpressible sweetness
which I taste and experience there. (Brother Lawrence [circa 1666], The
Practice of the Presence of God, P.39.)
#86. 2002/11/04.
Yea! My Divine Mother is none other
than the Absolute. She is at the same time the One and the Many, and beyond
the One and the Many. My Divine Mother says: 'I am the Mother of the Universe,
I am the Brahman of the Vedanta, I am the Atman of the Upanishads. It is
I, Brahman, who created differentiation. Good and bad works alike obey
Me. The Law of Karma in truth exists; but it is I, who am the Law-giver.
It is I who make and unmake laws. I order all Karma, good and bad. Come
to Me! Either through Love (Bhakti), through Knowledge (Jnana) or through
Action (Karma), for all lead to God. I will lead you through this world,
the Ocean of action. And if you wish, I will give you the knowledge of
the Absolute as well. You cannot escape from Me. Even those who have realised
the Absolute in Samadhi return to Me at My will. (Ramakrishna, the Canticle
of the Divine Mother, quoted in: Rolland, Romain. (1994). The Life of Ramakrishna.
P.67-8. ) November 4 - Divali, popular Hindu festival known as the Festival
of Lights. It is dedicated to the female aspects of God, such as the Goddesses
Kali and Lakshmi.
#87. 2002/11/06.
You who have believed, fasting
is decreed for you as it was for those who came before you, with
a view to a deep sense among you of devotion to God (...). When anyone,
of his own free will, outdoes what is enjoyed that is certainly to his
own good. For when you fast, you do good to yourselves, did you but realise
it. (Medinan Sura 2, quoted after: Novak Philip, The World's Wisdom, P.286.)
November
6 - The Holy Month of Ramadan begins. Ramadan is the month of fasting during
which Muslims, who are physically able, do not eat or drink from the first
sign of dawn until sunset.
#88. 2002/11/10.
How much time do I waste looking
for something to read about a contemplation instead of shutting up
and emptying my mind and leaving the inner door open to God to enter from
the inside, the outer door being barred and all the blinds down? (Montaldo,
Jonathan (Ed.) (1996). Entering the Silence: becoming a monk and writer.
Thomas Merton's Diaries, Vol.II, P.124.)
#89. 2002/11/19.
Bahavel Huk said, 'I would like some poverty or humbleness.'
The voice came back, 'No one has ever asked for this, save Guru Nanak. Guru Nanak whenever we talk always asks for the same thing. He alone has understood this gift which I can give, He isn't by any chance staying with you?' Bahavel Huk said,'Yes he is with us today.'
The voice of God said, 'Did you know that when I made the Universe I also made this gift. The Guru Nanak recognises that this is the greatest gift of all. He has in his possession three quarters of this gift. He has three quarters of all my power under his command. One quarter has been left in case someone like you should have some need for it.' (The story of Guru Nanak requesting a slice of poverty with His meal as narrated by Anand Dev Singh.) November 19 - Birthday of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, founder of the Sikh faith.
#90. 2002/11/24.
(...) we must annihilate the feelings
of "I - ness" and "my - ness" from our minds. You must march forward like
a soldier, dutifully and bravely. The thing which brings man down is "attachment"
to his own kith and kin. When all belong to this whole universe, where
is the place for "I" and "mine"? (...) Teachings of Babaji, P.99.
#91. 2002/12/01.
Your Lord has enjoined you (...)
to show kindness to your parents. If either or both of them attain old
age in your dwelling, show them no signs of impatience, nor rebuke them;
but speak to them kind words. Treat them with humility and tenderness and
say: "Lord, be merciful to them. They nursed me when I was an infant."
(Quran, quoted after: Novak Philip, The World's Wisdom, P.302.)
#92. 2002/12/08.
Jesus lived his personal relationship
to the Father in his human awareness. His human consciousness of being
the Son entailed an immediate knowledge of his Father, whom he called Abba.
(
) This experience was actually none other than the transposition to the
key of human awareness and cognition of the very life of God. (
) it is
precisely this human experience that Jesus had of being the Son, in relation
to the Father, that enabled him to translate into human words the mystery
of God that he revealed to us. (
) Jesus is referring to the Father with
a familiarity never before conceived or attested. (
) It was something
that flowed out of the living experience of a unique intimacy. (
) (Jacquis
Dupuis - "Toward a Christian Theology of Religious Pluralism" PP.249, 270)
#93. 2002/12/15.
(
) Christ accepted the human condition
to the ultimate consequences. He gave himself totally to others; (
) (as
such) Christ is present in every human vicissitude as servant and leaven.
He belongs to the whole humanity. Through his servanthood he gives himself
incessantly to men and women of all cultures and leads them unobstructively
to their self-realization. He is a liberative action, which makes the person
whole, transforms the cultures it encounters by forming them into a community
of love, in which the other is respected and accepted in his or her
self-understanding. (underline by Pritam). (Jacquis Dupuis - "Toward
a Christian Theology of Religious Pluralism"P.298).
#94. 2002/12/22.
Quoting from Redemptoris Missio,
Dupuis states that "(
) dialogue is 'a method and means of mutual knowledge
and enrichment' (RM 55) and 'leads to inner purification and conversion'
(RM56), but "not of the conversion of the others to Christianity, but of
the conversion toward God of both partners of dialogue (
)' (P.365). "Sincere
dialogue implies," continues Dupuis, "mutual acceptance of differences,
or even contradictions, and (
) respect for the free decisions of persons
according to the dictate of their conscience" (RM 41) (P.367), "reciprocity
and aims at banishing fear and aggressiveness" (RM 83)(P.368). It implies
"learning new truth." (P.373). Among the fruits of dialogue Dupuis mentions: