Ahmad Al Charif

Articles in this category follow the format of a conversation, between myself and another party. If you would like to know more about the origins, please click here. For a change, this is one conversation i did not initiate. I respond in blue.

Sometimes it is hard for you to come to accept certain things we tell you, that it takes several repeated hearings of the same message, why is that?

 

 

That is true, and it is something i have observed and come to accept, though i do not fully understand why.

 

 

It is fascinating, but i believe i know the answer.

 

 

Then why did you ask me?

 

 

I wanted to hear your take on things.

 

 

What is yours?

 

 

The way the world functions at the moment is that people are devided into tribes, or different sub-societies. Call it what you will. Now every individual has his own moral compass, and his own vision of what the world is, and how it functions. But a big part of that perspective is also fed by their tribe. By the members of the sub-society itself, be it family members, leaders, and even the collective mass of the tribe itself.

 

 

A lot of times when you; as an individual, are not certain about a speficific thing, first thing you do is look at how the tribe sees it. Then You share that view by association.

 

 

I guess that is somehow true.

 

 

But then what is to say that the tribe is right? And what makes their opinion a truth, rather than a theory?

 

 

Usually this is a lesson well learned through first hand experience, by someone; now much older and wiser, who then passes it down to the younger-

 

 

The passing down of teaching is an ancient practice, one that has been occuring since the dawn of human history. But somewhere along the line, these teachings have been selectively sharpened, to suit the taste of the ones passing them down. To further clarify them for their successors. And this is when things go wrong.

 

 

…

 

 

These ancient teachings, can in no way be taught easily. Some of them take years to be truly understood and to align deeply. Life itself, is a journey to spiritual growth and evolution, and it is a very complex and delicate process that varies with each individual.

 

 

What happens when you take such a process, such an inticate tree and try to refine it so it becomes sharper, more straight to the point, and easier?

 

 

It looses many of its precious leaves, and becomes a long dull log, a heavy burden that people spend a life time carrying around, struggling under its wait trying to build enough muscle to carry it effortlessly. They help each other, working in units, insisting to other groups that this is how such a feat should be undertaken. Preaching their ways.

 

 

But such an effort is bound to fail. There is rarely a success story. Mostly a person will assume this is the right process because they are told it is. It is seldomn felt, and understood.

 

 

What is the process supposed to be like?

 

 

You are supposed to plant that tree, in rich soil and water it, give it nourishment. Watch it grow even more majestic than it already is. Sit under it, listen to the leaves bustling in the breeze, observe its lucaious colours and marvel at it’s brautiful scent. You are meant to enjoy the process, and come visit your tree as often as you please.

 

 

Then with time, you will start to see patterns in the leaves, in the branches, it will bear fruits so rich in flavor and nutrients you will wonder how you ever managed to live without it. You will feel terribly sad for all the lifeless logs being carried around aimlessly by these poor souls.

 

 

I think this conversation has gone in an entirely different direction, we are talking about religion now?

 

 

In a way, we are.

 

 

What does this have to do with your initial question? How does it relate to me?

 

 

We tell you to do things a certain way, and it is difficult for you because everyone else is doing it differently. You question if this is the way. But try it for yourself, and make yout own decision of whether it works or not.

 

 

You hesitate because you had been carrying a log most of your life, sinking under its own weight. Trying desperatley to reach a destination where you will finally be able to get some rest.

 

 

You worry that if you put it down you will never find the strength or determination to pick it up again.

 

 

But there is no need to be carrying around dead weight. And you will arrive nowhere.

 

 

Put the log down my friend, this is an endless struggle which is weighing you down, and needlessly draining your strength. Go back to your tree.

 

 

Go on. The dead log isn’t going anywhere…