Monday, 14 February, 2011

a Moment for Wisdom…

DAILY WISDOM:

“If we were destroyed, and the world with us, due to baseless hatred, then we shall rebuild ourselves, and the world with us, with baseless love.”

Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook

(1865–1935)

Personal Wisdom:

Have you experienced “baseless hatred” as a recipient?

Have you experienced “baseless hatred” as a perpetrator?

Have you experienced “baseless love” as a
recipient?

Have you experienced “baseless love” as a
perpetrator?

Societal Wisdom:

When you think of examples of societal “baseless hatred”, what comes to mind?

Do you have any historical examples? 
Current examples?

As a society, can you think of examples of when we practice “baseless love”? Do you have any historical examples?  Current examples?

a Moment with Sharif…

When I first read this quote, the term “baseless love” made what little hair I have stand on end.

We know the term “baseless hatred”: hatred without a reason, hatred that exists for itself, hatred that is spread, regardless of the state of the recipient, regardless whether or not the recipient deserves it.

Baseless, wanton, unreasoning LOVE? There’s a switch! Spreading love, regardless of
whether or not the recipients “deserve” it?

The thing I like about Rabbi Kook’s statement is his intention to rebuild both self and world. Very Praxis of him! Because the two are inseparable. Because if you are “rebuilding” yourself and ignoring the conditions of the world… you aren’t really rebuilding yourself.
You’re indulging in self gratification, which feels good… for awhile. But, sooner or later,
you will wake up to the fact that you weren’t put on Earth to “feel good.”

And, if you think you can be an “activist” for societal change without working on your inner self… please read Rabbi Kook again.

Peace,

Sharif

Signing up…

Simply CLICK HERE! to go to the sign-up form. Fill
it out, check the appropriate “Commonway Praxis” boxes, and click “submit”.

http://www.commonway.org/signupform

Acknowledgments:

Sharif Abdullah photo: Lisa Norton

All other photos by Sharif Abdullah, unless otherwise noted.

Kook photo: Library of Congress

Supporting “A Moment for Wisdom”!

To make a monthly pledge of support to Praxis, please click here:

http://www.commonway.org/support_praxis

Commonway Institute

for Societal Transformation

PO Box 12541

Portland, OR 97212
503-281-1667

mail@commonway.org

THE COMMONWAY MISSION:

To envision and implement a transformation of human societies, one radical enough to match the times, inclusive enough to heal humanity and all other beings, and visionary enough to propel us to the next step of human evolution.