Resistance is Futile

2008-4-21 04:37:00

Sharon writes:

"If pain, displeasure and unhappiness is based in rebellion (as taught by Patanjali & others) than it would imply that rebellion ought to be avoided. However, many rebellions have led to more freedoms throughout history; and the righting of wrongs. Therefore could we clarification on this statement? Thank you."

JJ:

The answer to this lies in Solomon's injunction that there is a time and season for all things. This would include rebellion.

The are three things against which the disciple should not rebel.

He should not rebel against a situation, however bad, when that rebellion would not make a difference.

For instance, in the time of Jesus slavery was very prevalent, but did Jesus lead a rebellion against it?

No.

Did he even speak against it?

No.

Why not?

Because the time was not right. Anyone speaking against slavery would have swiftly been disposed of and no movement could have gotten off the ground.

Jesus concentrated on what could be done rather than to tackle an impossible task. He knew his teachings would eventually lead to freedom for all, but it would take time.

Even so, the disciple should not fight City Hall for the principle of it because City Hall will win and his time and energy will be wasted. That energy can be better spent in fighting a battle that can be won. Then when the disciple has a few victories under his belt then maybe he can fight City Hall.

He should not rebel against what is, or that which cannot be changed. This harmonizes with Tolle's main philosophy of accepting what is.

If your girlfriend leaves you or your cat dies you might as well accept it and move on. Cursing and crying over what happens does not undo anything. What happens, happens. There is nothing one can do to change it so the disciple must accept events as they happen and make the best of them. Cursing God or the situation only delays progress.

The disciple should not revel against the communications received through the soul. Impulses come in diverse ways to most people and they often lead us in directions that we do not want to follow. When these impulses are denied, ignored or resisted disease or pain will usually follow. This again causes the seeker to waste much time and effort.

So when should the disciple rebel?

He should rebel when his cause is just, he has a chance of victory and such victory will bring greater freedom for the human spirit.

But one of the problems with many aspiring disciples is this. They made a step forward by rebelling against a beastly authority and then can't shake rebellion out of their system. Some spend their whole life rebelling just to be rebelling and accomplish nothing in the end. The disciple needs to find his work and quietly proceed in doing it and this, more often than not, requires no rebellious actions.

Interesting Fact:

"A one gigawatt nuclear reactor, a 1000 Megawatt plant, produces about one cubic meter of waste a year. That's enough to fit under a dining room table - the greatest portion of nuclear waste generated today is actually medical waste - not power generation waste." (Sir Charles Shults on "Coast-to-Coast" Jan 22, 2008)

Word Of The Day:

Poltroon: noun 1. a wretched coward; craven. adjective 2. marked by utter cowardice.

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