No matter where you were born, it is quite probable that you have been born into a certain religion. Or more of them, like myself. It is something we often take for granted, without thinking what it really means for us, why we pray the way we do, visit temples when we do, who is this God we believe in, and who are all those saints and holy people we worship? What is it that makes them holy?

Through life situations, some of those questions become more clear. What is religion? What does it even mean? When I finally got the answer it worked as a true epiphany. Re-ligare – reconnect. Religion is reconnection to your true self. That’s the origin of the word. If it is all whithin, why do we need Budhas, Chirsts, Muhammeds, Krishnas and other deities? Why do we pray to them and worship them, if we are all that? That’s exactly why – to show us what we really are and what we can be. They, and many other Masters and Saints are here to serve as reminders, examples and inspiration to us. To remind us of our true divine nature.

People keep talking about different concepts – nation, religion, race, gender, and also – human nature. It is such a widely spread (mis)concept of humans being internally flawed and unable to resist their so called inherent nature. When human imperfection, sinfulness (which are real and present, but which are not our limits) are your starting points, it is quite likely you won’t go much past them. Not because you can’t but because you think you can’t. Because someone before you didn’t do it, out of sheer lack of faith, because you took that someone as a proof to say – you see, we can’t help human nature. As someone in the future might take you as an example and excuse to say – he didn’t resist, why should I, we are just human, after all.

There are hundreds of thousands who don’t resist the temptations, who serve to support the concept of human nature.

And then, every now and then, there is one to break all the possible concepts and show you – this is who you truly are. This is who you can be. This is full human potential. This is true human nature – no different than the divine. If you’d just believe, and live up to that belief.

We keep forgetting that all of them, like Jesus or Budha  were ”only” human. And they kept saying and pointing that out, Jesus in particular. We stubbornly keep forgetting that and mystifying them, and all they were trying to tell us was – this can be you. I am no better than you, I started from where you are now, and you can get where I am now. But no, we prefer to say – nah, I’m only human and assign the prophets’ lives some supernatural traits. That’s not what they wanted.

Organized religion aside, spirituality is a very practical thing. They gave us guidelines, commendments or call it what you want, to live by them. They described the principles by which they lived to become what they are. They did not want us to worship them mindlessly. They did not want us to fight over whose prophet is the “right”or the  “real” one. They are all expressions of one Supreme Consciousness, the same one we came from. They are not just prophets, messengers – they are THE MESSAGE!

The Heaven on Earth we are waiting for will not descend from above. We need to create it, as within, so without. Nurture your inner Garden of Eden – follow the divine commendments. Don’t ask me which ones, you know them very, very well. Your soul knows them, shall I say, by heart. You can pretend not to hear it, turn a deaf ear, but you know very well what righteous living means.

Follow the example of any prophet or saint you choose, stay true to your values, do not hurt any other being neither in thoughts, nor words, nor actions. Protect the helpless and serve the powerless. Love your near and dear ones like you love yourself – so, make sure you love yourself unconditionally in the first place.

Your deeds are not just your deeds. Your decisions are not just your decisions. We are so connected to each other, we can be weights or stones in the pockets, or wings and ladder to climb up for the others. Of course, everyone is responsible for his or her actions. But don’t forget that there is always someone watching your actions. It may be your friend, your child, or a complete stranger. Your example can inspire someone to become a better man, to restore faith in humanity, to spread that great example further. It can also make someone fall to the bog, taking the easiest way – because everyone else does it.

So, keep that in mind. Be the torch that leads the stray souls to the right path, be the inspiration, the hope, the reminder. Even if not everyone who sees you follows, be the proof that it is possible to always do the right thing. Because it always is. Absorb the divine light and pass it on. Shine bright. You are all that.

That is why I believe in MAN. In you, and me. Let there be millions to prove me wrong, there will always be one to prove me right. Let that be you.

 

Author: Tijana Sladoje

1 thought on “I Believe in MEn

  1. To
    Tijana Slodaje
    On article ‘I believe in Men’.
    So beautiful written and explained in simplicity.
    I am deeply grateful for your contribution.
    This is how each one of us should aim to be
    Thanks
    Yamini

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