There is a particular attitude I find quite compelling that seems to cut across traditional religious divisions. You can find this attitude among some Catholics, other Christians, Buddhists, even atheists–among many others. A few exemplars of this attitude in literature and in life would include Alyosha Karamazov, David James Duncan, Lao Zi, David Byrne, Richard Rohr, Thich Nhat Hanh. This attitude seems central to the religious practices of some people, despite being a minority view within most religions. Here’s how I would try to describe the attitude:
- I am not very important.
- I am neither particularly good nor particularly bad; nor is it very useful to be intensely focused on good and bad.
- I don’t know that much; and much of what I do know is likely wrong.
- Power, wealth, comfort & influence are largely distractions from what is most worth pursuing in life.
- Paradox can be delicious.
- About the best I can do is practice integrity and compassion, and follow wherever that leads.
- I needn’t get all worked up about how things turn out or things that are outside my control.
There’s a lot of “I” in that description. All that “I” may make it sound narcissistic or self-important. The intent is the opposite, starting with the first proposition. The intent is to honor the limits of one’s own perspective and avoid grand statements beyond one’s actual knowledge.
Questions:
- Does this attitude resonate with you at all? Do you see yourself in it?
- Does it sync up with the people I mentioned? Are there other people you associate with this attitude?
- Do you find it admirable? Naive? Incoherent? Insincere? Contemptible? [other?]
- Am I right to even call it an “attitude?”
- Is it a religious attitude? If so, do you see it more in some religions than others?
(Photo: Richard Rohr. Source: https://www.spiritualimagination.org/events/the-franciscan-spiritual-imagination-with-fr-richard-rohr/)