| Magazines 04/14/2001 Tikkun
(March/April)
In the cover article, Rabbi Mordechai Gafni defines "Soul Prints" as "the song only you can sing," the way of being that is you alone. The rabbi, author of a new book by that title, concentrates on the biblical tradition of the uniqueness of each person and contrasts that with the beliefs of Eastern traditions. With wonderful turn-of-phrase, the essay explains the ancient Western teaching that only by "standing out" do you connect with community: "Alone-ness is the path to all-one-ness." The rabbi points to Passover to argue that one should never forget your past: "It is no coincidence that this is the dramatic ritual that Jesus and the disciples were enacting at the Last Supper." Nor should we overlook the insignificant: "We need to know that in the details of our lives dangle the keys to heaven." R.P.
Hinduism Today
(March/April)
"See God Everywhere," the magazine counsels. Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami acknowledges it is "natural to forget about God." In his publisher's column, he urges readers to see the divine in everyone we meet: "Smile, when you feel unhappy with someone and say to yourself, 'How nice to see you, God, in this form.' " Hindus are taught to see the Divine in the hearts of people of every race, color or creed, he says, as the "Light and Life of everyone." To do this, he proposes, we must break the bondage of personal ego. It is our egos that keep us, first of all, from seeing God in ourselves. He also urges study of our life experience: "If it is painful, that is good." The key is not to fear intense sorrow and joy: "Don't be afraid to live with God ... Don't try to avoid it." R.P.
Christian Reader
(March/April)
Lloyd Preston Terrell delves into "Higher Intensity Prayers." The writer points to his black worship experience, which "goes to God with genuine intensity and emotion." He also cites the many gospel references to the emotion of Jesus' prayers, so intense "that sweat from his head was like drops of blood falling to the ground." But, Mr. Terrell cautions, above all, be honest in prayer, and he allows that some people prefer to pray quietly. "Don't try to pretend you have feelings you don't or hide the ones you have." The article in essence effectively reaffirms the ancient wisdom, "Be true to thyself." The important thing to remember in praying, he writes, is that they "should be like Jesus' prayers – wearing no masks, withholding no feelings." R.P.
|
