What and how one believes are very personal things. Some of us have absolute certitude about what we believe. Others have beliefs peppered with doubts and questions. Many of us believe because we “know”. Some of us know because we “believe”. I have been a spiritual seeker my entire life. I grew up in a strict religious tradition, I have attended the seminary, I lived two years in a Franciscan community and one year of my life in a Trappist monastery. I have studied theology, philosophy, and psychology. I have read many books and I have sat in silence waiting for enlightenment. Still, I struggle with doubt and I am often unsure what I believe. I think that no one knows anything for sure. It could all be BS. What’s a spiritual seeker to do? I believe I will be fine if I simply practice kindness and compassion as much as I can to all living things. Both kindness and compassion imply love. When I find it difficult to love, I follow another of the Dalai Lama’s teachings where he says, “If you can’t love someone, at least don’t hurt them.” If I can do these simple but difficult practices while also pursing my intellectual curiosity about the meaning of life, I think I will be fine.
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