Questioning Reputation, Change, Depth, and Kindness

 

“Your reputation is in the hands of others. That's what the reputation is. You can't control that. The only thing you can control is your character.”

-- Wayne W. Dyer

How do you think others perceive your reputation?

I’ve never considered it. My reputation precedes me, as it should. I exercise my personal “code of ethics” which defines who I am to those around me. If their perception is wrong, they might want to look deeper, as I am who I am and really don’t plan on changing after 70 years of life.

Should I be doing something different to hasten my spiritual awakening?

Not knowing what you’re doing now makes this a hard question to answer.

Do you think human ethics are learned or natural? Do we have an innate sense of right and wrong or do we learn everything from parents, friends, society, etc.?

We are born without sin, but we learn much about right and wrong from parents, friends, society, and schooling. What we learn helps us to create our own personal “code of ethics” which will define who we are, to others, throughout our life.

What are some ways to maintain motivation after spiritual awakening?

If you have really attained “spiritual awakening” maintaining motivation is not a problem.

  Is there a point where one can't grow any more spiritually?

Nirvana. It is “a transcendent state in which there is neither suffering, desire, nor sense of self, and the subject is released from the effects of karma and the cycle of death and rebirth. It represents the final goal of Buddhism.” But, I also think it has much truth other than in Buddhism. We constantly are reborn and learning. There comes a point, many lives in the future for many, when we have learned enough to transcend to this state.

“You are one thing only. You are a Divine Being. An all-powerful Creator. You are a Deity in jeans and a t-shirt, and within you dwells the infinite wisdom of the ages and the sacred creative force of All that is, will be, and ever was.”

-- Anthon St. Maarten

What should I not change in my life?

Life. The alternative really sucks.

Why am I patient with certain things but not with other things?

You need to pay more attention to the “other” things and less to the “certain” things. I am patient to a fault with most other things except drivers who pay no attention to what they do with a mobile killing machine. I try to pay more attention to my patience with them, but they seem hell-bent on going that extra mile to simply piss me off. I am a work in progress.

If there are ones here for us, why do we make to have so many against us?

Competition makes the world go around.

Do you agree, that most people aren’t living in reality? Otherwise, if they were, problems would begin to get fixed - both within themselves and externally within the world? If they were living in reality, they would notice the state of affairs in the world, find their purpose, be more involved, take more action, contribute and be more of service to others, thereby fixing the planet. Anything other than that, and you are living in a fantasy world, a bubble, selfish and not rooted in reality.

I think many people realize they are living in a reality that sucks. I think they choose to ignore action as they feel the issues and the problems are beyond them. Those that aren’t bound to their own reality of providing for five kids and trying to pursue life, liberty, and happiness with the pittance they earn busting ass and giving selflessly to others, probably have found a different purpose, and have taken more action. For the multitude of other people, they can look forward to the “ballot box” on voting day.  Anything other than this, and you're not taking advantage of the freedoms many have died to guarantee for you.

Do you like who you are when no one is around?

Why would someone being around me make me like myself more? I am who I am, regardless. 

“Because one believes in oneself, one doesn't try to convince others. Because one is content with oneself, one doesn't need others' approval. Because one accepts oneself, the whole world accepts him or her.”

-- Lao Tzu

What is the current version of "Deep Thought"?

Same old version. No one has answered the question, “Why?”, and the most popular answer, “Because.”, simply doesn’t cover it. People need to move deeper.  Or, is this an online game?

Is it possible to be good without help from others?

Yes, but it is easier if others give you a good role model to emulate.

Why is it important to be aware of our own level of hostility?

So you can compare it with the level of hostility being shown to you by an opponent. If theirs is higher, you might be well served to find some common ground and defuse the situation.

How do we know if we’re being too hostile in our interactions with others?

Your knuckles are torn up, or you’ve been bitch slapped.

What is more important: being kind or fulfilling a responsibility? Why?

I’m not sure why you can’t be kind while fulfilling a responsibility unless the responsibility doesn't involve “kindness” in which case one should rethink the responsibility they’ve taken on. Being kind should never come between your responsibility, any more than your responsibility should ever negate kindness.

“Three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is to be kind.”

-- Henry James

Are you hot, sexy, and beautiful?

Of course.

Is there anyone who would see, answer and understand me easily no matter what and no matter what I say and do, no matter what they say and do even if I didn’t do or say anything?

Probably, but what you don’t want to do is get involved with anybody from the League of the Perpetually Offended. They are incapable of doing anything you have stated.

Can you be both formal and friendly?

Indeed.

Do I need to be social in order to be kind?

No, just be kind. Being kind is a selfless act, it is the right way to act, so expect nothing in return for being kind. You can be king to other people, to animals, or to yourself. There are lots of options for kindness, so exercise it. 

What quotes about respect resonate with you?

This resonates:

“Respect for ourselves guides our morals; respect for others guides our manners”

-- Laurence Sterne

What does it mean to be “a success in spite of yourself”?

As hard as it seems that you tried not to be successful, you still became successful in spite of your seeming efforts not to be.

How do I become a better person so that I can win more often?

So, you want to become a better person for selfish reasons? Have you given much thought to becoming a better person because it’s the right thing to do, not because it will help you win more often?

How do you deal with your mental condition?

I’ve stopped answering the voices.

What role does intuition play in decision-making, and when should we trust it?

Intuition comes in handy when you have no incontrovertible facts to guide you. You can fall back on what you know or, to a lesser extent, on what you think you know. You should trust intuition less than you would trust facts. If there are no incontrovertible facts, where does that leave your “intuition”? How good your intuition is in a game of poker depends on how much poker you’ve played and how many times you walked away a winner. Intuition is only a step or two up from a crap shoot.

Did you know that there isn't anything I wouldn't do for you?

I live by this axiom: 

“Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed.”

-- Alexander Pope

Editor's Note

(Re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card)

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider an alternate viewpoint. 

I fervently hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion, in an arena of mutual respect, concerning those opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience, and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 22 years with the United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and, finally, a senior manager. He spent 17 years, following his service career, working with the premier, world-renowned, Western Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved in pharmaceutical research.

Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As the weapon for his war on intolerance he chose the pen, and wages his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He currently resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteered as the lead chaplain at a regional medical center.

Feel free to contact Pastor Tony: tolerantpastor@gmail.com