Who made the decision

[Steve Consilvio]

It is far easier to adopt a conformist behavior than it is to adopt a non-conformist behavior. Thoreau said that 'the mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.' Was he describing himself, or what he saw in others?


Certainly, the more one prays, one would hope that the person would be more introspective as a result. But, there is no logical reason to suspect that any action leads to introspection. In general, it is only age and experience that unfolds the deeper mysteries of life, and age and experience must be combined with introspection.


A child, for example, is taught to pray, to love and follow the dominant groupthink of whatever culture he is born into. There is no knowledge, much less comparative analysis and self-exploration.


In effect, regardless of our origins, we all start off as 'blind followers,' and regardless of what the content is.


To 'improve ourselves' usually includes an attempt to improve others around us, too. We cannot escape the fact that we are a social community, and mutually obligated to one another. (Our brother's keeper). Praying is an action we do alone, or in a group, but its purpose is beyond the ritual. (The group can be separated from another group, just as an individual can be separated from other individuals). A road is not built so we can travel aimlessly, but to arrive at a destination. The means and the ends are related, but different, just like quantity and quality are related, but different.


To say, 'I travel' does not mean that the person understands where they are going. When we were born, we began traveling. Rituals (praying) are a respite; like a rest stop to fuel up, stretch, use the facilities, and get a bite to eat. On a highway, we all have a different destination. On the spiritual highway, we all have the same destination. My rituals may work for me, and your rituals may work for you, but the rituals themselves are unimportant. They are part of something greater, not the greater. As such, we cannot improve ourselves through rituals, but taking part in rituals may be a sign that we are improving ourselves.


If I read a book written in French, but do not know the French language, I can say 'I read the book' but I understood nothing. That is what blindness is. It doesn't matter if it is scripture, or human laws, etc., there is a huge difference between participating and understanding. That gap will never close. Everybody has to work through it individually. (Like people who vote, but have no idea of what the are voting for).