The Sower and the Seed Pt.2: The Dynamics of Truth

When a society's perception of reality has become so fractionalized that  they become satisfied with knowing Truth only as facts, then they have sacrificed the ancient safeguards that ward off deception from every angle.

I know that all of us have met that person that claims to hold the Truth, but it is obvious to everyone but them that they have no real connection to it. To them,Truth is a fact or stance that they defend or find superficial comfort identifying with, and yet that very Truth has found no authentic expression in their everyday life at all. We call it Hypocrisy, and it holds more power to divide people than any other force we know.

Ancient Traditions from Hinduism, to Buddhism, to Christianity have long addressed this kind of reality as delusion and blindness. The Accurate account of Truth has always been defined by having at least three factors as a seal of authentic Truth. Truth will always have an Intellectual, Emotional, AND Experiential element if a man is to find any valid assurance at all.

As we will see as we explore the  relationships of the "Sower and the Seed" parable one by one, it is the reality of these dynamics that make all the difference in one's relationship with God, Truth, and Life itself.

I wanted to establish the framework of all understanding of Truth first to see how these things relate to the "primary teaching" of Christ. I am comforted to find this very framework evident within the teachings of Buddha, Confucius, and all the ancient traditions.

Please take the time to read The Sower and the Seed Pt.1: A Teacher's Responsibility if you haven't had a chance to already.

The Sower and the Seed Pt.1: A Teacher's Responsibility

Sower with Setting Sun by Van Gogh

There is a teaching by Jesus that he calls The Primary Teaching, stating that you must fully understand This teaching to receive any and all other teachings of his. This Truth is known as the "Sower and the Seed", and can be found in Matthew 13, Mark 4, and Luke 8.

As I observe our culture today, I believe that it demands addressing this fundamental teaching. As this teaching uses an agricultural language as its symbology, we may understand the concepts, but have no real relationship with the depth of any part. Because of this aspect, we will place ourselves in the position of each of the major symbols being used.

In this post we will identify with the Sower. After reading the text we understand that the Sower is one who has Truth that must be spread to be effective. What we find is that, although Truth is the same in all situations, there are varying effects from the people in whom the Truth is given. We see that from the Sower's perspective, if we are honest, we can see how OUR ACTIONS and SKILL in conveying Truth can play a huge role in how it is received.

It is not just the Purity of the Message that must be considered, but also the appropriateness of the Method and Intended Recipient. Many people end up fighting battles and arguing with people because they have not considered these elements thoroughly. If one does not discern the condition of another person's heart accurately, he may end up becoming an enemy of one he is trying to befriend. It is imperative for a teacher of any kind to look for a Prepped Mind in their audience, as well as to Cultivate the Proper Context for receiving of Truth.

A Prepped Mind:  We must recognize that deeply experiencing Life to any degree will authentically generate questions and subtly bring rise to dissatisfaction with previously held personal "truths".  These experiences generate a deep sense of more, a curiosity of what lies beyond our understanding that usually culminates in the surfacing of an existential crisis. These symptoms are some of the foundational building blocks of authentic "listening".  This is the prep work that begins within the individual, and cannot be supplied by institutions of any kind.

Cultivation of Proper Context: If one has no authentic care for another person, that is experienced by that person on a subtle level. You could say that they "instinctively know" the difference between friendship and salesmanship. This fact alone leaves no room for the manipulation of reality that our culture uses in social transactions every day. Discernment will tell you whether or not a persons' mind has been prepped to "hear" Truth. There is NEVER any wisdom in argumentation or forced conversations, as it is scientifically proven that anxiety causes confusion and an expressed lack of clarity. There is no substitute for the context of an authentic loving relationship and the genuine enjoyment of each other's company.  One of Solomon's Proverbs says, "A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle." (Proverbs 18:19).

Unfortunately we have a culture of self-promoted teachers that have no discernment of these qualities, nor do they actually understand the implications of the Truth they speak. It is a rarity to find any discourse, Christian or otherwise, that is grounded in mutual respect and an understanding of these dynamics.  

Let this first post serve as a prompt to evaluate the way you do relationships. As it relates to relationships, we are all teachers to some degree. We give and take cues from our surroundings everyday. Even if you think you have nothing to say, try to cultivate your surroundings with Loving-Kindness and Compassion and you will have done more for yourself and others than you could ever imagine!! This is the Essence of True Teaching!

In "The Sower and the Seed Pt.2: The Dynamics of Truth", we will discuss the tri-fold aspects of Truth that must be present in "Knowledge".

Stay Tuned!!

The Good Samaritan: Christian, Buddhist,....?

As I was reading some Buddhist teachings today, I happened upon an analogous description that uses the exact substance and language as the "Good Samaritan" teaching of Jesus. I have included the both texts below. I included the Buddhist teaching first as it was written around 400B.C. The Gospel of Luke was written around the tail end of the 1st century A.D.

AN 5.162

And as for a person who is impure in his bodily behavior and verbal behavior, and who does not periodically experience mental clarity and calm, how should one subdue hatred for him? Just as when there is a sick man--in pain, seriously ill--traveling along a road, far from the next village and far from the last, unable to get the food he needs, unable to get the medicine he needs, unable to get a suitable assistant, unable to get anyone to take him to human habitation.  Now suppose that another person were to see him coming along the road. He would do what he could out of compassion, pity, and sympathy for the man, thinking,'O that this man should get the food he needs, the medicine he needs, a suitable assistant, someone to take him to human habitation. Why is that? So that he won't fall into ruin right here.' In the same way, when a person is impure in his bodily behavior and verbal behavior, and who does not periodically experience mental clarity and calm, one should do what one can out of compassion, pity, and sympathy for him, thinking, 'O that this man should abandon wrong bodily conduct and develop right bodily conduct, abandon wrong verbal conduct and develop right verbal conduct, abandon wrong mental conduct and develop right mental conduct. Why is that? So that on the breakup of the body, after death, he won't fall in to a plane of deprivation, a  bad destination, a lower realm, hell.' Thus the hatred for him should be subdued.

Gospel of Luke: Chapter 10 Verses 26-37

26 And He said to him, "What is written in the Law? How does it read to you?"

27 And he answered, "YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND; AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF."

28 And He said to him, "You have answered correctly; DO THIS AND YOU WILL LIVE."

29 But wishing to justify himself, he said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"

30 Jesus replied and said, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, and they stripped him and beat him, and went away leaving him half dead.

31 "And by chance a priest was going down on that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

32 "Likewise a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.

33 "But a Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion,

34 and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them;and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him.

35 "On the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return I will repay you.'

36 "Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers' hands?"

37 And he said, "The one who showed mercy toward him." Then Jesus said to him,"Go and do the same."

Putting these two teachings side-by-side brings up many points to ponder.

What are your thoughts?

Meditation: Finish Me

Create in me a clean heart
Remove from me the idols that rob men of Your Goodness
The compassion I receive, I will distribute without prejudice
The strength You give me is not only for my family, but for weakness in every form
The encouragement You minister to my soul is intended to find its way into the darkest of circumstances

Break me apart that you can fashion me anew
Remove from me all traces of selfishness that I may be poured out upon the barren land
As my pride shatters, I see a new creature emerge
As my pretenses fade away, authenticity begins to bear fruit
Finish me, so that all that is left is you.

Meditation: Respond in Truth

"Sunrise Tree by Hassan9@deviantart.com

I must respond faithfully to Your Goodness
Your leading, Your blessings
Your teaching, Your challenges,
Your molding of my character,
Even in the face of this violent world.

In this way, it is You alone who is glorified,
Because I have done nothing Of myself,
By myself, or For myself.

Let all of my being and doing come straight from Your heart.
Let my only concern be with a deeply truthful response to You!!

A Meditation: Provision

Death shall not consume our dreams
Fear shall not swallow our future
Life is made to be overcome!

From the same hand that I am Dropped to the floor
I am Lifted up
From the same hand that I am Constrained
I am Pushed into the open fields of new experience
From the same hand that delivers Confusion
I am made Understanding
From the same hand that I am reminded of my Weakness
I am clothed in Strength beyond my capacity
From the same hand that I suffer loss
I receive the greatest gifts of all

Even Your hand is above reproach
I shall overcome by Gratitude and Humility
Even the Victory is Yours!

In Morning Reflection

"Prayer for Survival" used by permission of 'gilad (copyright 2004-12)

In morning reflection, I clearly see the height of my capacity to control my thoughts,actions and environments. Though these disciplines have never seen greater days in my life, in sober meditation on The Way, I gain no satisfaction from the disappointing reality of their expression from my conflicted heart and mind.

As I experience this reality, I hear and feel this beckoning to abandon the struggle that plays out between my understanding and my fearful framework of operation in this world. The pathway of peace and love is made clear, with the simple instructions to reject self interest and abandon myself into the all powerful flow of God's Provision.

There will be no peace while I allow my mind to make war with my heart through selfish desires. Anger, strife, negativity, and division must make way for unending Peace, Love, Faith, and connectedness to God's Creation.

May I Abide In You!!

In Meditation

The land of REST has no outer limits. It is infinite. There may be a point of entry, but certainly there is no exit except for the illusions constructed in our mind.

God has said "My GOODNESS does not cease because of your actions or intent. Go, and do thou likewise".

All of my limitations are just that...MINE. I have constructed them by fear, slothfulness, and learned helplessness. How "much I can take" is only relevant when I walk apart from my infinite Creator. Only by pride comes stumbling in this walk, and pride is non existent when my mind and emotions are connected to the infinite one.  He cannot be harmed, He has much room to absorb wrongdoing. If I do not, it is because I am disconnected.

Rise above fear...rise above strife...rise up!!!