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Tribal consciousness is the consciousness of much of humanity. With this consciousness, persons see the Sacred as like their group and those belonging as equals as, likewise, like to themselves. So, the faith is: The true God is like us, and the chosen faithful is like us. Tribal consciousness is grounded in the fear of the otherness of the other. Two principal bulwarks of this consciousness are politics and religion. Spirituality is one way of challenging this prejudice, often hidden to ourselves. Likewise, politicians and religious functionaries serve as guardians of the chosen. However, in the transition from such consciousness, persons begin seeing others differently. We are, it seems, in such a time. We are moving from the societal moorings of the past, grounded in race, religion, and government. This is happening, in my estimation, for the younger generations see others differently and no longer will tolerate the little worlds of the past.
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I ask you to stop, now, and say, with a smile, "I'm unusual. I'm strange. And I like it."
Likewise, it might help us to pray: I welcome a heart more accepting of those who appear different than I do. I pray to respect others as I, too, wish to receive the same respect for who and how I am. I acknowledge we are each a manifestation of the one Spirit, Who lives within us and appears in our many appearances.
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I walked to the counter to receive my coffee. She, a lovely, young lady, with a sweet smile, saw the Rudraksha prayer garland, or mala, on my neck - a form of beaded necklace in Buddhism and Hinduism. She told me she liked it.
I was wearing two prayer necklaces; I made sure she was referring to the Rudraksha mala. I told her what the mala is made from and where - Nepal. She was interested, smiling.
She asked about the other rosary, which she had not mentioned before. I held it in my hand. I explained the rosary, or prayer rope, is Greek Christian. Then, I told her the Rudraksha is a rosary for prayer, meditation, and chanting. I began to share about how Buddhists chant with the mala; she, abruptly, referred back to the Greek Orthodox rosary, mentioning she liked it. She showed no more interest in the Rudraksha mala. Hence, I ceased sharing about it.
I sensed her admiration and approval of the Rudraksha mala had vanished in hearing "Buddhism." I jokingly said to her, smiling, "So, you're not ready to be a Buddhist?" She rejoined with a lovely smile, "No," shaking her head in affirmation. I smiled and left.
I was not upset, as I once might have been, when I might have judged her as close-minded. I knew the heart is always ahead of the mind. The heart sees and receives the beautiful sacredness in the otherness we have been taught to turn from, rather than welcome.
Strangeness in others is something many of us have been so trained to fear or see as wrong, getting close to the strangeness of others takes time. Slowly, however, the heart leads the way. The heart will lead us aright, always toward Love.
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