Do you care about your viewpoint?
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peace all,
Poll question
Do you care about your view?Explanation It's a bit like asking
Do you have emotions/feelings for views you hold?
Do you get worked up emotionally about views you have? e.g. if they are under attack.Example
Let's say you are in a discussion about a view you hold, e.g. salat is X times per day, or, fasting is at X time of year, or, the definition of muslim is X, etc, and if this view is challenged do you feel yourself getting emotional, worked up, angry, feeling personally attacked etc.The reason I ask is, from my experience, of forums and discussing with people in real life, that I seem to exhibit significant indifference (i.e. lack of attachment), compared to others with regard to views held. What I mean by this is, that I almost always do not care about the views I hold, the only thing I care about is if they are evidenced/accurate/true. If I discover a more accurate/truthful view of something, I have little issue with adopting it.
Part of the reason why I think my Quranic studies have been somewhat fruitful (in my view) is this trait, hence posing the question here, for others to ponder over.
Don't get me wrong now, emotion is natural, and sometimes a positive thing, however allowing it to cloud one's judgement is a pitfall to be wary of. One is susceptible to it almost constantly - the greatest obstacle in your journey of discovery will almost certainly be you.
From
http//www.quran434.com/study-method.htmlAm I for/against a certain outcome?
If I sense I am, I try to understand why to free myself from this bias/shackle, so I can truly let the message tell me what it is saying, rather than me tell it.The perfect way is only difficult for those who pick and choose. Do not like, do not dislike; all will then be clear. Make a hairbreadth difference and heaven and earth are set apart; if you want the truth to stand clear before you, never be for or against. The struggle between "for" and "against" is the mind's worst disease.
~ Zen commonly attributed to Bruce Lee -
Peace Wakas.
We need to ponder how do we acquire our view point in the first place?
Also what is intelligence and how do we use it?
I believe Qoran teaches us about the super intelligence behind our perfect creation and everything around us, seen and unseen.
Qoran also emphasizes the importance of using our brains to observe, process knowledge, reflect, take heed, reason based on facts, and decide with wisdom and intelligence.
We are commanded to make use of this divine power within us to study Qoran and rationally analyze its data (4724, 482).
Intelligence with all related features are praised and counted among God's blessings in Qoran, but they are validated within specific boundaries.
We need to train/prepare our intelligence by looking at all points of views and choosing what is best. The obvious question that arises here is how do we know what is "best"?
I believe Qoran is the "best" at preparing us to use our intelligence properly and start to "reason" by "hearing and obeying" our "best Teacher" of Qoran.
Once our divine mental power is appropriately geared to examine and analyze this knowledge, all the puzzle pieces come perfectly together -
We recognize the authority behind the whole creation ; we find God and we fully comprehend the story of our existence from beginning to end.
We reach an intelligent realization that we are here only to use all the chances to save, grow, and free our souls.It becomes evident that the thoughts and actions that lead to the righteous behavioural pattern or life style prescribed in Qoran would eventually spare our souls and dictate our eternal peace and dignity.
This is when we believe they are the real intelligent thoughts and actions. We become certain about returning to God and we start to take His systems, promises, and oaths seriously - we value His words the way it should be.
This is the unique frame and the confines of intelligence according to the master and the source of all intelligence.
If we fail to comprehend all of that, our intelligence becomes pointless- it becomes a useless resource and a neutral power for the soul.
In other words we need to get this basic right. Our intention ,sincerity ,hunger to get to the truth must be honest!!!
Of course we will have different views about "rites", habits, ...etc when we are in different journeys. Everything needs to grow together to reach further in that journey.
In this case ,when we are sincerely seeking the truth by using our intelligence and seeking more knowledge, we should embrace all points of views and use analyze them the same way .Choosing the "best" will become a habit.
Recognising the fairness in dealing with all points of view this way, including ours, will lead us to free our minds and not be like "our minds are made up" type of people.
Do we possess the right intelligence? The "intelligent ones " GOD mentions in this verses?This is a scripture that we sent down to you, that is sacred - perhaps they reflect on its verses. Those who possess intelligence will take heed.
He bestows wisdom upon whomever He chooses, and whoever attains wisdom, has attained a great bounty. Only those who possess intelligence will take heed.
In their history, there is a lesson for those who possess intelligence. This is not fabricated Hadith; this (Qoran) confirms all previous scriptures, provides the details of everything, and is a beacon and mercy for those who believe.
This is a proclamation for the people, to be warned herewith, and to let them know that He is only one god, and for those who possess intelligence to take heed.
May the Lord grant us "intelligence" to study and understand His words.
GOD bless you.
Peace. -
the greatest obstacle in your journey of discovery will almost certainly be you.
Totally agreed.Depends a bit on who one is talking to and where as well, I think those factors play into the degree of emotional attachment one 'feels' more so than the subject matter/opinions at hand. I.e. pride, how one is looked at by whom, reputation consciousness etc. I've seen people behave totally different on a platform other than a forum and vice versa. I agree that most of this is standard, as in if one feels that their opinions validate themselves/identity in a way, it will be across the board and mostly present in all situations...the exceptions could be with maybe someone they know well, or someone they want to know well, could be better in private or public and so on. These factors and more can and do influence the results.
I also recommend a zen rock garden for when it gets to be too much. One can bash one rock against the other and achieve an almost unholy sense of detachment. Could also work by bashing ones own head against rock but not tested or recommended...yet.
