The Middle-East Matter

Is it a secular or spiritual matter?

Judaism is a religion of the old Bible. Followers of any religion have a right to practise non-violent contemplation. We may not agree with their ideas but, going into another’s church or temple, we naturally respect the place.

When spirituality (the very essence of our being) becomes a religion, it can be influenced by a political agenda creating a culture and a race of people.

My dad always said, “We are Jewish by race, not by religion.” I didn’t understand that at all. Was I supposed to develop a feeling of belonging, or was this spiritual? We did nothing special, so it was a sentimental connection to a piece of land called Israel. Our true home? Zionism? There had to be more to us.

Zionism is a recent invention.

(Theodor Herzl 1860-1904 was an Austro-Hungarian Jewish journalist and political activist who was the father of modern political Zionism, to promote Jewish immigration to Palestine in an effort to form a Jewish state.)

The ultimate truth of our being isn’t in books, temples or land. Once we realise we are common consciousness that has no identity, we can practise anywhere and everywhere, unknown to others. The problem in the world is people being encouraged to cling to books, temples and land.

True practitioners are only concerned with ultimate truth (as they see it) and the suffering caused by ignoring that truth, while practising under all conditions anywhere, whether pleasant and unpleasant.

So what’s the problem?
Politics.

Politics has nothing to do with spiritual teaching. A practitioner does not need politics; that is for secular people. When spirituality is organised, it becomes a religion, which can then be influenced by a hierarchy that becomes political, thus developing an ideology that creates a culture or race of characteristics. Religious and secular people each have their own ideologies, which may be far from our original reality.

Politics: from Ancient Greek politiká (affairs of the cities) governing decisions in a society.

Practising Jews and Muslims respect one another’s contemplations. Jews can practise in Muslim lands, and Muslims can practise in Israel. It is extremists who create division and whip up hatred – and once a bullet is fired, it will have consequences, and you cannot take it back.

The middle way is noting that there are secular, religious and spiritual people; each has their view, and each has a voice. This is the Dark Age of Conflict – people will not see eye-to-eye.

Politics and spirituality do not mix.
Politics can make use of spirituality as a consumer product.
Spirituality can use politics to keep the floor swept, and the cushions tidy.

Note: Christmas in the UK starts at the end of summer!