What do Muhammad, Charles Manson, Moses, David Koresh, Paul of Tarsus, Sun Myung Moon, and Jim Jones have in common? Each of these men -- notice that there aren't any women on this list -- claim to have spoken with and/or be the emissary of the grand creator of us all. Most of them derived their earthly authority from this fact and, all but one of them, told people over and over again about their "divine" revelations.
As indicated in the previous post, Fool on the Hill, a truly sagacious person doesn't have a need nor the interest in running around the countryside proclaiming their supposed wisdom. In fact, such a proclamation tends to undermine the very idea that the individual is sagacious at all!
Unfortunately, throughout history, our world has been filled with such individuals and there are billions -- possibly trillions -- of people who have been/are willing to believe them. Actually, that might be putting it mildly. It seems to me that most folks want to be led through life like a dog on a leash. This desire to be led by others has created the climate which has bred countless messiahs, prophets, gurus and divine messengers.
Whether we're discussing mainline religions or "out of the mainstream" cults, the self-styled leaders of both spend inordinate amounts of time and energy establishing and incessantly repeating their supposed divine credentials or lineage. The creator directly told me this or his chief prophet told me that and the almighty ME is here to share it with you lowly peons!
For me, IF there is some sort of deity, I could readily understand if she/he/it decided to send an emissary to feed or instruct humanity on the ways to live a divinely-inspired life. Such an occurrence would certainly not be outside the realm of possibility. So, if there was such a person, I would think that person might introduce him/herself in the following manner: "Hi, I'm Bob (or Sally). I'm here as an emissary of x. Breath mint?"
It's quite okay in my book to establish who you are and why you're here -- that's common courtesy -- but, if you must repeat this information over and over again, it leaves the realm of a simple introduction and transforms into brainwashing. Repeat after me, "The Rambling Taoist is the most holy Taoist of Rambling..."
So, how would a person know if they were in the presence of a true sage? You look at the way they live their life, not the words they utter! A person of true wisdom won't waste one breath on trying to convince you of their sagacity. In fact, if you were to call such a person a sage, that person would vehemently disagree with you.
Genuine wisdom is something that cannot be shared; it must be experienced.
As indicated in the previous post, Fool on the Hill, a truly sagacious person doesn't have a need nor the interest in running around the countryside proclaiming their supposed wisdom. In fact, such a proclamation tends to undermine the very idea that the individual is sagacious at all!
Unfortunately, throughout history, our world has been filled with such individuals and there are billions -- possibly trillions -- of people who have been/are willing to believe them. Actually, that might be putting it mildly. It seems to me that most folks want to be led through life like a dog on a leash. This desire to be led by others has created the climate which has bred countless messiahs, prophets, gurus and divine messengers.
Whether we're discussing mainline religions or "out of the mainstream" cults, the self-styled leaders of both spend inordinate amounts of time and energy establishing and incessantly repeating their supposed divine credentials or lineage. The creator directly told me this or his chief prophet told me that and the almighty ME is here to share it with you lowly peons!
For me, IF there is some sort of deity, I could readily understand if she/he/it decided to send an emissary to feed or instruct humanity on the ways to live a divinely-inspired life. Such an occurrence would certainly not be outside the realm of possibility. So, if there was such a person, I would think that person might introduce him/herself in the following manner: "Hi, I'm Bob (or Sally). I'm here as an emissary of x. Breath mint?"
It's quite okay in my book to establish who you are and why you're here -- that's common courtesy -- but, if you must repeat this information over and over again, it leaves the realm of a simple introduction and transforms into brainwashing. Repeat after me, "The Rambling Taoist is the most holy Taoist of Rambling..."
So, how would a person know if they were in the presence of a true sage? You look at the way they live their life, not the words they utter! A person of true wisdom won't waste one breath on trying to convince you of their sagacity. In fact, if you were to call such a person a sage, that person would vehemently disagree with you.
Genuine wisdom is something that cannot be shared; it must be experienced.
If you want a woman, you could add Joan of Arc...
ReplyDeleteI suppose I could, but I like the fact there aren't any women on THIS list. : )
ReplyDelete