Pithy Tarot meanings — the Hierophant
The Hierophant:
I don’t believe that my tradition defines God. It only points me to God. – Bishop John Shelby Spong
I might rephrase this as: Your religion is not meant to define God; it’s meant to lead you to God.
By the way: Recently I saw a picture with Spong’s full quote posted several times on Facebook (if you’re on FB, see: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=444797822223998&set=a.142349529135497.12943.138308669539583&type=1&theater) and I thought it made for a great pithy meaning for the Hierophant, especially coming from a Bishop.
Pithy Tarot card meanings are short, easy to remember meanings, and they will even stimulate further insights when called to mind during a reading. In addition, they can be fun.
Hi James,
Yes, I too had seen this quote floating around Facebook the last day or so. And I too thought it especially meaningful. And personally too. Having explored many religious traditions I have returned to a flavour of Christianity, which is my roots. In my case I find an esoteric form of Christianity a good fit for me. But I do not confuse what I hope may benefit me, as being the same as that which must be pressed upon others. I’ve said it before, meaningful human relationships begin with tolerance. Mutual tolerance is the rich soil from which future flowers of appreciation may one day grow.
Thanks, Erik.
I think this quote also implies something important about how we view the Divine: if you think your tradition defines God (vs. leads you to God), then you have put God into a box that is finite, and you’re missing the Truth that God is limitless.
Yes, that too. My beginning point is to assume “God” is something so vast It is beyond my ability to conceive (meaning comprehension is impossible, so we must rely upon apprehension of what we may perceive). Therefore, if God is Unknowable, then I had best be pretty open to many ways in which others may percieve their apprehension of the Divine. Seems like common sense to me.
Beyond this it is sorta like being a doctor – first do no harm. I believe we see this reflected across many religions in the various calls to love one’s neighbor. First do no harm, stated in the positive, could be rendered as: Love/Love Others/Love Others As Oneself.
Then, if we manage to get these first two points right, we can each turn to that with which we resonate. I do believe that once we set our heart to hearing the Divine we will come to hear it, and I hope with better acuity over time
heheh
Yes, I agree, Erik. Alas, what seems like common sense to you and me is not nearly “common” enough.
As for your final point, it reminds me of Swami Prabhavananda’s practice of “constant recollectedness” of the Divine, which I wrote about in a blog post earlier this year:
http://jamesricklef.wordpress.com/2012/03/08/ace-swords-spiritual-message-5/