To Iswari on Quoting scripture in times of crisis

[Guest guest]

Namaste Iswari,

 

You made so many good points in your post. I was thinking about this earlier,

as well...and even as I compiled some of the scriptures/prayers/teachings that I

sent out.

 

I'm sure that in a time like this, many people have both turned towards God for

guidance and protection... but also that many people may have turned their backs

to God. They may be feeling that they were let down and being punished.

 

If people are wanting spiritual and religious mail to be sent to them, then I

definitely think that the replies we have all given to Aikya would greatly

benefit their need for uplifting and encouragement. But, like you said... one

bit of scripture said a certain way, or at a certain time, depending on their

situations, their feelings, emotions, connection or disconnection to the

Creator... it could also be ill-received.

 

It can be a tough situation, trying to console and comfort another person, as

you never know what they are going through, until you have walked in their

shoes. Personally, I only bring up Amma's teachings to those that I know are

either Amma devotees, or friends of mine who are spiritual and/or religious. To

others, I try to offer "generic" comfort and nurture... letting them know that I

care about them, and that I am here for them.

 

¸... ´¨¨)) -:¦:-

¸..´ ..´¨¨))

((¸¸..´ ...´ -:¦:- ..::Brightest Blessings::..

-:¦:- ((¸¸..´.¸...` ..::Bela::..

-

ammasiswari

Ammachi

Sunday, September 18, 2005 6:11 PM

Quoting scripture in times of crisis

 

 

Dear ones, these Amma lists have been so thought-provoking of late! One thing

I couldn't

help being reminded of with this call for scriptural verses is my training in

ecumenical

hospital chaplaincy. Personally, while I love sharing with others verses that

have moved

me, it's never really been my inclination to do that with people I don't know

during their

times of crisis -- especially if I don't know where they are, emotionally and

spiritually. The

right verse at the right time can be deeply, powerfully uplifting. The wrong

verse at the

wrong time (or even the right verse at the wrong time!) can be profoundly

alienating. The

danger, especially at a time where even religious people might be having

issues with God,

is that quoting verses in this way can come across as preachy or pat, even

when it's not

meant as such. I remember watching the clergy and seminarians in my chaplaincy

training

group having to unlearn this tendency to offer such verses as comfort and

learn how to

simply be with people where they are in their suffering, to be a compassionate

witness and

to let the love of God as promised in these verses simply flow through that

connection.

This isn't to say that it's an inherently bad idea to send/include scriptural

verses to Katrina

survivors (some may, indeed, really value that), but it is something for

consideration.

 

Sincerely,

Iswari