Many of us go to church every Sunday, and at other times too- because it’s a nice social occasion, and also, well, because we feel that we “don’t have the answers but may be we’ll find them there”. Merely going to church – for decades, even- doesn’t seem to be a way of finding your truth, though. Some people start feeling frustrated with religion as a result, and try to find “some fault with God”- see the musings by Greek philosopher:
“Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent.
Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent.
Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil?
Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God”?
-Epicurus
Others feel that the onus is on them, not on deity:
“I believe that what people call God is something in all of us”.
– John Lennon
“You cannot believe in God until you believe in yourself”.
– Vivekananda
“Work out your own salvation. Do not depend on others”.
– Buddha
May be this is exactly the problem? Whilst we are looking for “someone else”- a deity, in this context- to give us guidance and answer our questions, the only way to discover the latter is by yourself, and within yourself. I like what Rumi says on this subject; he seems to be giving us step by step practical advice:
“As you start to walk on the way, the way appears.
Whatever happens, just keep smiling and lose yourself in Love.
Be a lamp, or a lifeboat, or a ladder. Help someone’s soul heal. Walk out of your house like a shepherd”.
-Rumi