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Should we do what
our ancestors have done?
I have heard that one
indication of insanity is to make the same mistake repeatedly,
and hope for different
results. When I look at tradition,
I want to be certain that I am not replicating my ancestor’s
mistakes; however, I also want to gain from their wisdom.
The Zohar
tells us that God offered the Torah (Old Testament) to 72
nations. All of them turned it down for various reasons. What
would become Israel accepted them, without
even knowing the contents.
They blindly accepted the Torah from Moses’ hand. They accepted
that God would lead them, show them, and protect them. They
(we) are a people of faith. In fact, faith becomes the defining
factor. Why?-Because they chose God. This is not how religion
teaches this concept. Religion teaches that the Jews were the
chosen ones. The Zohar tells us the opposite; it was the Jews
who chose. What did they choose? They chose God; God’s
ways, God’s wisdom, and God’s commandments.
In modern times, my
definition of spirituality, as opposed to religion, is choosing
the Divine and the Divine path--in other words, choosing God.
Knock on God’s door and God will answer.
Choice seems to be a
theme in the Torah and the Zohar. For example, God offered Adam
a choice between life and death. He then hinted to Adam,
“Choose life.”
Another defining factor of my ancestors is
blessing God, praising God and respecting God’s sacredness
(unfortunately called fear in the Bible although the Hebrew
actually translates “in awe” and thus
is
misleading).
So what of all the
traditions that religions have? Do I need to do all of that?
The answer is simple. Choose God. Understand what came from
God and what came from Man. If you side with Man, you choose
from ego. If you side with God, you choose holiness. How can
one be certain? The answer, of course, is inside of you.
Spiritual people go deep inside and challenge the evil, the ego,
and the traditions. They challenge it not to rebel, but to
ascertain and find God. This discernment is important because
without it you are not choosing. You would merely be following
what your ancestors say to do.
Additionally, it is
important because it helps you find your Truth or your faith.
Merely following
tradition would not mean you have real faith. You might do this,
because you were conditioned to do it. Faith lies on the other
side of challenge.
Finally, God should
be an experience, not a distant thought. It is only by feeling
the awe of God’s energy that you can confirm your faith and your
choice continually.
Here’s a hint:
Choose God.
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Kabbalah Stones
