Daily Devotional ~ Jan. 11

"Know that all humans are repositories of Divine Light.

Never inquire about what class of society they come from.

In the hereafter there are no classes."

— Guru Granth Sahib, 349

I really love this verse, especially the first line — All humans are repositories of Divine Light. That really resonates with me.

source

 I also like how it says "In the hereafter there are no classes" ~ it reminds me of how in Mormon temples (and I'm sure other religious buildings) everyone dresses alike, all in white, no matter their rank. There are no distinguishing features, no special places to sit, nothing that would distinguish one person from another based on class or wealth or status. It's a good reminder - "In the hereafter there are no classes."

As Dr. Gaskill says, "To disregard or look down upon another human being because of their class, race, sex, or religion is to entirely miss God's nature, as revealed in the face of all His creatures." 

This reminds me of two Bible verses:

"That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: 

for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, 

and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." Matt. 5:45

&

"Lord, when saw we thee...? 

And the King shall answer and say unto them... 

Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, 

ye have done it unto me." Matt. 25:37, 40; see also

Is there any segment of this earth's population that you hold prejudice against? Any color, race, class, religion, or sex that you look down upon, or consider inferior to yourself?

Are you equal in your treatment of, and love for, all people — regardless of their class, race, or religion? 

Do you believe that God loves all of His children equally?

Daily Devotional ~ Jan 10

"Never covet the things which God has bestowed
in more abundance upon others than He has upon you."

Surah 4:32 | Islam

The reading goes on to explain that this spirit of covetousness stems from a lack of gratitude for the gifts we do have. This reminds me of two tweets from Jesuit priest James Martin: 

Gospel: Herod was jealous of Jesus. But Jesus didn't try to replace political rulers. Herod's jealousy, like all jealousy, was unnecessary.

— James Martin, SJ (@JamesMartinSJ) January 4, 2015 

Gospel: John the Baptist was free of jealousy. He valued his gifts and calling, and valued Jesus's as well. Jealousy comes from ingratitude.

— James Martin, SJ (@JamesMartinSJ) January 2, 2015

In the words of Professor Gaskill, "God gives us the gifts He does because He has an individual plan for each of our lives. Thus, to covet another's gifts is to reject one's own — and to reject God's personal plan for you."

This strikes me as really true, and reminds me of women and men and priesthood offices in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

Are you grateful for the gifts, trials, and mission God has given you in life? (I try to be.)

Are you ever guilty of wishing you had the blessings or gifts of others? (Of course)

Do you sense a divine purpose for you in life; and if so, do you know what that purpose is and what role your gifts are to play in it? (Yes; still working on it) ;)

This also reminds me of my time as a missionary and learning that God hasn't called us all to be the same, but to use our unique gifts in unique ways to fulfill His unique plans for each of us. He hasn't called me to be like others, He's called me to be more fully myself and to be who He knows I can be - not who someone else can be. It can be easy to be jealous of other people and what it looks like they've accomplished or what it seems like other people think of them, but it's healthy and happy to remember that we each look different and that that's a good thing. 

Another tweet from James Martin, SJ, because I really like his tweets: 

Gospel: Jesus was not afraid to be who he was, even before those who knew him, and those who would reject him. God calls you to be yourself.
— James Martin, SJ (@JamesMartinSJ) January 8, 2015

:) A happy reminder for all of us, I think.  

Daily Devotional ~ Jan. 9

"Prove all things;

hold fast to that which is good."

// I Thessalonians 5:21

I love that in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ we have the privilege of embracing all truth and seeing what is true, good, virtuous, lovely, and seeking after these things, no matter their source.

Are you spiritually gullible?

Do you have some means of distinguishing between false and true religious tenets? 

Do you test all things before you embrace them, thereby insuring you're doing the will of God rather than the will of men?

Daily Devotional ~ Jan. 8

"Those who do not abandon mercy 

will not be abandoned by God." 

Oracle of the Kami of Itsukushima

I really love this verse/thought. It's a good reminder to keep a merciful heart. ❤

I also like the thought Professor Gaskill added ~ "Those who exhibit mercy will have God with them because they have become as God is -- Merciful!"

Would those who know you say hat you are a merciful person?

Have you recently acted toward another in an unmerciful manner?

What could you do to correct that offense?

Have you felt the inner peace that comes from treating other human beings the way you know God would have you treat them?

Daily Devotional ~ Jan 7

The extraordinary man is always prudent in his speech,

but consistently goes beyond in his actions. 

The Confucian Analects, Book 14:29

This reminds me a bit of the parable where Jesus asks which is the better son - the one who says he'll do his father's will, but then does it; or the one who says he won't do his father's will, but then does. 

Obviously, actions count for more than words. 

I also like how it says to be "prudent" in speech, which I interpret to mean humble, almost "thrifty," choosy, wise, etc

but "consistently goes beyond" in action. I like that. Don't brag about yourself too much. As Jesus also said, we should be sounding a trumpet before ourselves as we go to do good deeds. We should just do them, without drawing attention to ourselves. Modesty in speech, generosity in action :) 

Are you more prone to talk about your greatness, or live it out? 

Personally I'm very uncomfortable talking about myself to others, especially in person, so I would say (hopefully) live it out? Not that my life is that great haha but I'm trying ;)

Do you "toot your own horn?" or do you live in such a way that others "toot" it for you? 

Again, I would hope the second. 

Is your life one of prudent speech and noteworthy actions, or do you spend more time talking than you do doing? 

Aahh, here's the kicker... I feel like I spend a lot more time talking. Which, admittedly, is important. Talking about important issues raises awareness, which leads to changed thoughts & behaviors & actions. And I do try to be more than "just talk" and to act out my ideas and ideals. I do recognize that talk is easier than action, however, and something I'm more likely to do. Prudent speech is something I'm good at only some of the time, and noteworthy actions are up for debate I suppose ;)

Daily Devotional - Jan 6

"If a man foolishly does wrong to me,

I will return to him my ungrudging love;

the more evil he sends my way,

the more good will I send back;

in so doing goodness will always come to me,

and, if he does not change, evil will always come to him."
The Gospel of Buddha: The Sermon on Abuse

Professor Gaskill writes that the difference between the "foolish man" and the "ungrudging man" is that the latter has overcome selfishness, while the former has not.

Which reminds me of this story:

A young Zen monk asked an aged master about the difference between heaven and hell. "There are no material differences," replied the master, "Both heaven and hell have a big pot of delicious noodles in the middle of a spacious hall, where the size of the pot and the number of people sitting around the pot is exactly the same. The odd thing is that each person is given a pair of yard-long chopsticks with which to eat the noodles. But in hell people are always hungry because no matter how hard they try, they can't get the noodles into their mouths," said the old master.

"Isn't it the same for the people in heaven?' asked the young monk. "No," replied the master. "They can eat in heaven because they each feed the person sitting across the table from them!"

Dr. Gaskill continues, "Our verse teaches us that we have a choice in how we live. If selfishness is our way, then pain, suffering, and evil will fill our lives. But, if we decide to live lives of love and forgiveness, our days will be filled with goodness, peace, and joy." 

What I like about this verse is that it reminds me that I have control over my life. Especially if someone "foolishly" does wrong to me, I have a choice to return to him my ungrudging love. (Of course, I always have this choice, it's just easier when it's "foolishly" that wrong has been done and not "maliciously." Though I usually err on the side of judging them "foolish" rather than malicious since I don't know their back story or where they're coming from.)

The second part of the verse is harder for me ~ the more evil he sends my way, the more good will I send back. I haven't quite mastered this one yet... I usually just ignore. Which isn't really "sending good." 

The last part... in so doing goodness will always come to me... I think is partly true. But it isn't good to assume that if you're good, only good things will happen to you. Sometimes bad things happen to good people, or people who are trying to be good, and it isn't because they weren't good enough, it's just because that's life. Though, it could be argued that if you're being unselfish (and, in a Christian tradition, living for Christ,) then whatever comes to you can be turned into goodness (through Christ, if you believe in that.) 

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God

Romans 8:28

"and, if he does not change, evil will always come to him." 

Again, sometimes "bad" or "evil" people, or people who do us harm, don't always have bad things happen to them right away, or even necessarily ever. But it isn't my place to judge who is "evil" and who isn't it, and I don't know what all is happening in people's lives. I like the caveat "if he does not change," because there is always a chance for people to change. But, to those who send out evil, evil will return - whether in this life or the next. They'll be unhappy if they haven't chosen a life of goodness. 

Is your life best represented by the "foolish man" or the "ungrudging man"?

... I plead the fifth? Kidding. I think at times I am both. I try to find a balance between being unselfish and still taking care of myself. I make mistakes and I go back and forth... I don't think I'm ever perfectly unselfish, but I try to become less and less focused on myself. I'm sure that more often than I would like I "foolishly do wrong" to others. But I try not to actively send out evil. Which I think makes a difference. And I try to send out ungrudging love and goodness. 

Do you return good for evil, and kindness for hate?

I certainly try to! Though this is something I'm imperfect at, I always try to respond with kindness when others attack me or my beliefs. I'm very uncomfortable with arguing (though I do love an intelligent debate, belligerent arguing is grating to me.) I try to send out love and peace, and if people make me angry I try to take deep breaths and hope for the best and respond with peace. I go to therapy and my therapist tells me to recognize the emotions I'm feeling (anger, anxiety, depression, etc) but not to let it define me. Just to recognize it and let it pass. 

Which of your behaviors is most contrary to the advice of this verse, and how can you change it so as to conform with this divine principle?

Hmm... probably either not returning ungrudging love, or not sending good back for evil. I'm certainly working on both of these. It just takes mindfulness, I think. 

Daily Devotional - Jan 5

"By one's ideas

not their birth

are they a Brahmin." 

Uttaradhyayana Sutra 25.3 | Jainism

Or, in other words,

"It matters not what someone is born, but what they grow up to be!" 

&

"It is our choices Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."

Dumbledore / J.K. Rowling | Harry Potter

(hopefully this isn't offensive to anyone)

No but seriously. Brahmin is the highest social caste in Hindu society. I like this verse because it teaches that what truly matters is what's on the inside, not outside, and that we have control over who we truly are. We're not born into anything, We have the power within us to rise above.

It also teaches that we should treat people with honor for their ideas, not their social status or birth. Obviously we should respect all people with basic human dignity, but honor and admiration should be reserved for those who have truly earned it through their ideas and through living those ideas out.

Do you live in such a way so as to bring respect to the name you bear and the family you were born into?

I would hope so! I'm the oldest of a big family, and I would hope I can say I've set a good example and pattern for my siblings to follow. 

Is your life a reflection of where you were born or what you believe?

Most likely a combination of the two... I'm from Seattle, and I think that's had a pretty big impact on me, and I can't deny that being born middle-class American has had an influence on my life. That being said, I would like to think that my beliefs have a greater influence over my daily choices than my circumstances of birth. Though, of course, when & where I was born has certainly shaped my beliefs. 

Have you made your own way in the world, or have you chosen to ride upon the coattails of your parents or others?

I think it would be ignorant of me to ignore the enormous amount of privilege I've been given in this life or to pretend that I've made it to where I am completely on my own. I owe so much of who I am to my parents and the way I was raised. I wouldn't call that "riding upon the coattails" of my parents, though. And I certainly make some choices that they wouldn't, if they were in my situation, and I accept full responsibility for who I am and the choices I make.  I can't ignore my connections to others in this journey, however, and the way we all lift and influence each other in this life.