[Jewelry making - Article 00376] - Re: [Orchid] Universal interfaith symbol

[Jeffrey Everett]

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>         I do like the idea of the circle with something inside of it,
>     perhaps a flower.  How about two interwoven circles with a lotus,
>     or maybe an orchid (or an abstraction of an orchid) inside? 

    I've been following this thread with great interest, and considering
    not only what kind of image would be resonant with all religions, but
    would also instill or inspire that emotion which religion brings out
    in people. That feeling is compassion. I believe compassion is the
    single most important and lacking state of consciousness in people
    all over the world. As a Buddhist, my primary motivation is
    compassion toward all sentient beings, and I think any universal
    image should inspire compassion in its viewers or wearers. Can you
    imagine a world in which everyone is compassionate toward each
    other? It would truly be Heaven on Earth. 

    I do like the winged heart image, but how about a winged lotus
    partially within a circle? At the very least it would cause one to
    think... I do have a particular symbol though, that of the sun, which
    is eventually explained in the following. 

    Whatever else it may do, the image should be designed to elicit
    feelings of oneness, of unity in diversity, and of course compassion. 

    To carry this a little further, what is religion exactly? 

    The dictionary states 

    1) Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers
    regarded as creator and governor of the universe. 

    2) A personal or institutionalized system grounded in such belief
    and worship. The life or condition of a person in a religious order. 

    3) A set of beliefs, values, and practices based on the teachings of
    a spiritual leader. 

    4) A cause, principle, or activity pursued with zeal or
    conscientious devotion. 

    As an extremely practical person, I logically dismiss the
    "supernatural" although I do not deny it. It just doesn't connect
    with agnostics, atheists, and the like. Of the 4 definitions given, I
    am most attracted to #3. The word Spiritual needs definition now. 

    1) Of, relating to, consisting of, or having the nature of spirit;
    not tangible or material. 

    2) Of, concerned with, or affecting the soul. 

    3) Of, from, or relating to God; deific. 

    4) Of or belonging to a church or religion; sacred. 

    5) Relating to or having the nature of spirits or a spirit;
    supernatural. 

    I think 'Spiritual' is getting closer to the point, but it still
    does not include what religion basically teaches, which is compassion
    and tolerance among other practices leading to the "fruits of the
    spirit". 

    While I'm at it, here's the definition of compassion: 

    Deep awareness of the suffering of another coupled with the wish to
    relieve it. 

    When we think of a spiritual leader, I'd guess that this is the
    basic assumption we make, that this leader can relieve us of our
    suffering, whether it be emotional, or otherwise. When we pray, what
    do we pray for? We pray for some Divine being to give something to
    us, be it relief from pain, from poverty, and so on. In short, we
    expect the spiritual being to be one who gives constantly and never
    receives back, something like the Sun which makes life possible on
    this earth. We humans, like the earth, are usually wanting and
    receiving, whereas we could more like the sun and constantly giving.
    Do you know someone like that, someone who is more like the sun than
    the earth? 

    This is leading up to the symbol I like, the image of the sun. 

    Maybe the sun could be combined with other imagery. Radiant sun with
    a lotus superimposed over it? I'll keep thinking about it and
    eventually post an image(s) somewhere and send links. 

Jeffrey Everett


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