His holiness the Dalai Lama wrote the following

 "All the world’s major religions, with their emphasis on love, compassion, patience, tolerance, and forgiveness can and do promote inner values. But the reality of the world today is that grounding ethics in religion is no longer adequate. This is why I am increasingly convinced that the time has come to find a way of thinking about spirituality and ethics beyond religion altogether".

A wise man of our time!

As a person who has engaged in Christianity yet always reticent to adopt any label I believe Christ as he is personified in the new testament would agree

 He himself a fellow traveller lifted himself beyond the confines of the religion and culture of his time.....clearly understanding his own nature and so pointed a way. There is a wonderful story in the bible where Jesus asks one of his disciples to leave the boat and walk on the water.....I personally equate this to taking a step beyond religion ....the boat being the religion . This is however a great step and a very individual process.....For some the safety of the boat is still needed and indeed helpful...for others not...we are all on a journey

This is written for those whom would claim to have a monopoly on the truth

True hope is placed in things not seen

beyond our visions , beyond our dreams

beyond our cares and worldly affairs

beyond our tears and through our fears

As if children of truth drinking through straws knowing little of the wine our God pours

embodied in flesh, clinging to what we see

and if what we see is taken away

what we believe comes to disarray

We stumble we fall we judge we divide

to prove ourselves right we say others have lied

It is time to go beyond the doctrines of men

From 20th century Pharisees to fishers of men

from the threshing floor to the open door

from the law of Saul to the revelation of Paul

Can we see facets of truth in ALL?

Can we be rooted, immovable and still

centred completely in our higher will?

Can we shed light to the darkest of minds

whilst trusting its God who gives sight to the blind?

Can we let go of what we think we know?

let our minds be renewed as white as snow

Can we radiate knowing and joy through trials?

let our actions be the first to cause others to smile

We live in a time where people must see

this world is transient, yet eternal are we

the image of our maker with divine authority to manifest peace wherever we may be

A social order with no veil of confusion

united hearts can tear down illusion

Love in action is service to mankind

patience and trust transcends the cleverest of minds

So let us not engage in the arguments of men

our actions speak louder when we are loving them

Christ you are indeed a light in our hearts

lets consider your life as a work of art

painted on the walls of eternity

speaking to us all individually........

Leanne

1998