Reflections: Three Passions…
“Three passions, simple but overwhelmingly strong, have governed my life: the longing for love, the search for knowledge, and unbearable pity for the suffering of mankind.” – Bertrand Russell
Reflections: Three Passions … For you and the longing for love (Photo credit: LUZ-2011)
The longing for love…
Even after all this time the sun never says to the Earth, “You owe me.”
There are different wells within your heart.
Some fill with each good rain,
Others are far too deep for that… Hafez
Food For Thought: What passions have governed our lives? Can we identify our three top passions? Let’s contemplate these questions in the quiet of our hearts, and then, answer them truthfully to ourselves.
“A little knowledge that acts is worth infinitely more than much knowledge that is idle… Khalil Gibran“
Reflections: Three Passions… Knowledge will make you free (Photo credit: tellatic)
The search for knowledge…
“No man can reveal to you aught but that which already lies half asleep in the dawning of your knowledge.
The teacher who walks in the shadow of the temple, among his followers, gives not of his wisdom but rather of his faith and his lovingness.
If he is indeed wise he does not bid you enter the house of his wisdom, but rather leads you to the threshold of your own mind.” Kahlil Gibran
Food For Thought: What knowledge have we learned about ourselves and others? Can we identify three profound insights we have learned in this lifetime? What are your thoughts? More below!
“If it is one man’s karma to suffer, isn’t it our dharma (duty) to help ease his suffering and pain?” Sri Mātā Amṛtānandamayī Devī (Amma)
Reflections: Three Passions… Suffering injustice… (Photo credit: laurinkofler)
The suffering of mankind…
We do not feel others’ problems nor feel any compassion for them; that is our BIGGEST problem. Only a person who has truly suffered can understand the suffering of others. We have never dived deep to the bottom of the sea to collect pearls. We do not know how difficult a task it is; for we are used to buying pearls from a shop. Therefore, we do not know the immense task behind the matter. ” Amma (p 56-57 Awaken Children, vol 4)
Food For Thought: What do we understand about the suffering of our fellow man/woman? How have we suffered? How can we make a difference?
Have a blessed day! What are your thoughts? How do you manage the passions in your life? What are your top three? What impact have they had on your life? What advice would you offer others? Do share! Thank you. 😉
*Please bear with me as I catch up on your blogs and commenting… I’m back on track with reading and responding to your blogs; albeit at a slow pace. Thank you all for your patience! 🙂
Positive Motivation Tip: Our passions can elevate or destroy us. Be vigilant and exercise humility and wisdom. Put your feet up. Sip a cup of tea. Relax
PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos: via Wikipedia, Flora by Luz 2011, Knowledge by Tellatic, Suffering by LaurieKofler, Mankind by KKalyan, via Flickr, or from my personal collection.
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
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This post really got to me because I have always felt passionate about the suffering of others and the age-old theological question of why a loving God would allow this. Sorry but do you have any thoughts on this?
I keep in mind that God does not bring on the suffering…it is man who does this…and like a Father …he wants us to learn from our mistakes…and sometimes His teaching has to be very hard…beyond understanding…His teaching is for our Salvation…not just for today…I hope you don’t mind me posting on your question…just seem to be driven to do this at times…~mkg
Your answer is somewhat like mine and I’m glad you responded Marilyn. I believe in a loving compassionate God who still uses the world as a training ground for us. We inflict pain on each other and our lesson is to learn consideration and compassion for each h other… TY! for your feedback.
Hi Julie,
I read your comment and the first thought that came to mind is that bad things do happen to good people, suffering is universal and created by us/our actions towards each other, and that we live in a world that remains a mystery on some levels. On the other hand, there are factors that contribute to human suffering; strife, violence, greed, choices we make, karma, things we can’t explain, and ignorance. I add the last one because there are atrocities that are committed in the name of tradition that stem from ignorance.
I am a believer in God’s grace so I’m not sure that we have a Creator that “allows” oppression to continue. However, I believe that we live in this world as a way to learn how to treat each other with compassion and love. The world is a school and we have students with different abilities and levels of compassion. Our interactions help us grow, and our prayers help us find inner peace… However, we have to work at changing our behavior so others can benefit too. Sometimes, our efforts alleviate suffering, and at other times it has little impact… Does this make sense to you? This is just a bit of insight I have on the subject. TY for adding your penetrating question. It gave me food for thought. . 🙂
Many Thanks for the pingback and what a great post.
TY Kara for your post and feedback too. I enjoyed yours. 🙂
I am honored to nominate you for The Beautiful Blogger Award! Please pick-up your award at http://www.authenticphotography.wordpress.com . Copy and Paste the Award to your blog and follow the rules of acceptance. I wish you many blessings. Congratulations!!
Congratulations on your award and thanks for including mine too.. I appreciate it and will stop by your blog to say so… TY! 🙂
I fear that it’s true, that unless we have suffered ourselves, we can’t understand what someone else is going through. In this hectically busy world of today, most people are just so wrapped up in their own wants, needs and problems, that they have little time to see the needs of those less fortunate around them. There is so much human tragedy, crime and natural disasters reported on our TV every day, that we do tend to become immune after a while. I like your “positive motivation tip” and will try to remember to do just that.
Sad but true… We can be empathetic towards others and offer help but it does take a concerted effort to understand and support another person in pain. I suppose that is why people avoid the subject… they don’t want to be or feel burdened by it. TY for your insights. 😉
Excellent quotes and insight. You’ve given me much to contemplate.
TY for your feedback… It’s an interesting subject with many layers and I’m learning more as I explore it more. 🙂
The search for these 3 passions is a good thing…keeps us busy and out of trouble–one can only hope…lol 🙂
Yeah, I hear you… To be human is to explore, challenge and grow.. TY! 🙂
Great quotes! Kahil Gibran wonderful quote. I agree when you go through somthing in life than you know. You take it from understanding to knowing and than comes the ability to have compasion and wisdom. I am greatful for the difficulties that have come across our way because I have learned a lot that I may have not learned if life was hunkey dory. Let see passions that have governed my life passions: creativity for sure is a big one, caring and helping others, and probably taking time to look at things that go on in life in layers and to be open to learning from these layers. :+)
TY Star! I like the passions you selected for yourself too. 🙂
Thanks :+)
Excellent work. Now I have something to think about.
TY Petra and that was the intention… We need to think about these even as we go bout our lives…Each person has their own perspective and there are no wrong answers. 🙂
an enlightening post , as ever!
TY Willowdot21! Glad to see you here and hopefully blogging again. 🙂
We always long for love – what we ge never seems to be sufficient, knowledge is essential for personal growth – it’s a continuous journey, and experiencing suffering even to a small extent is important for us to feel empathy towards those who suffer.
Nice post Elizabeth 🙂
TY for your feedback Amira! I couldn’t have said it better! 🙂
“If it is one man’s karma to suffer, isn’t it our dharma (duty) to help ease his suffering and pain?” I really love this, Elizabeth. Love is all about compassion and helping others. Thank you.
Another penetrating post on what matters most to many of us. Human suffering is such a complex issue but as you point out, the solution begins with somehting simple – help others!
B
I don’t believe in any god and am not overly concerned about the fact of my mortality, but I hate to see people or animals suffer, and feel immensely sad at times for the human race and its struggles.
I hear you. Compassion for others is important and you have that. Some use their beliefs to smack others on the head but caring about our planet is a human quality first. Our beliefs are our private matter and that’s fine too. TY for your feedback!
I just wish more people will start being more caring and concern for others. We live in a world jaded with false material riches and self indulgence that a lot of eyes are blinded to the truth of human suffering everywhere. I wish to also embrace the passion for love, knowledge and the ability to relate to another person’s suffering. Great post .