“The point is, I see no contradiction between my faith and science. Why did God use the Big Bang to create the universe? I don’t know, can you think of a better way? Why did God use evolution to create humans (and dogs, and dolphins and whales, and cats, and rhinos, and dinosaurs)? Maybe it appealed to his sense of artistry. Why did Jackson Pollock make paintings by throwing and dripping paint onto a canvas? I’m pretty sure God has a terrific sense of humor; anyone who’s lived with a cat or a dog (especially a boxer!) knows that.”
– Jeffrey A. Carver (http://starrigger.blogspot.com/2005/03/thoughts-on-faith-and-rationality.html)
Kabir – The couplet
पाथेर पूजे हरी मिले, तो मैं पूजूं पहार ।
तानते ते चक्की भली, पीस खाए संसार ।।
transliterated:
Paather puje Hari mile, to main pujoon pahaar |
Taante te chakki bhali, pis khaaye sansaar||
Translation:
If by praying to a block of stone, I could realize God, I would rather pray to the mountain and see it ALL |
The stone grinder is a better use of stone than an idol – for it provides food to the hungry ||
My thoughts:
We often mistake purpose with goal. When we pray, it is to help step closer to the energy within that is God. But we allow others to stop us en-route and park ourselves after the first few steps.
God is not to be found in the place of worship – unless the worship is born from inside you. Once the seed is sown, the place of worship provides sustenance and shelter to the newborn tender shoot emerging from within – till it becomes a bright flame.
Once the flame is fully alive, the place you stand in becomes the place of worship – not vice-versa.
Looked at in this light, the stone of the idol is but a catalyst to finding God within – for God lives inside all that this world contains, and more! Succumb not to the vicissitudes of superstition and blind faith, but rather follow the direction of a pure heart – for that surely is the brightest ray of God’s effulgence.