Ancient Wisdom for the Current Chaos

“In the sky, it unfolded in its ancient way, untouched by the storms gathering on a wounded planet.”  Margaret Renkl

I just realized that the last 10 posts I have written have been about Trump – the wounds he has inflicted on the planet and the existential crisis he has caused.   I was shocked and dismayed.  He is the last person I want to be writing about even if he does provide perfect fodder for universal themes related to chaos, carelessness, and cruelty. 

Ever since the election, I’ve been struggling with ways to get through all this angst and destruction and still remain somewhat whole and sane.  On Monday mornings, I always look forward to reading Margaret Renkl’s perspectives on life.  Her column on March 17,  reminded me not only of the importance of returning to ancient wisdom for advice, but also the value of science for rich metaphors.  I loved the idea of unfolding in ancient ways, untouched by the storms and wounds all around us. 

So, in this post, I decided to turn inward because I’m increasingly convinced that the only way to survive this external darkness is to kindle our internal light.  I have the suspicion that the light within has been flickering under the flood of negative news for many of us.  Thus, I decided to return to the ancient sources of wisdom that have blown gently on whatever flicker of life is struggling to glow in my soul. 

When I was in Vietnam searching for some light in the darkness of that war, a friend of mine suggested I read Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse, a novel that deals with the spiritual journey of a man named Siddhartha during the time of Buddha.  As he set off on his venture toward city life, he encountered Kamala, the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, who told him he must become wealthy to win her affections.  Although Siddhartha despised material pursuits, he was seduced by Kamala’s suggestion and became a wealthy man.  In his middle years, however, he realized that the luxurious lifestyle he had chosen was merely a game that lacked spiritual fulfillment.  After becoming depressed and disillusioned, he realized that time is an illusion and that all of his feelings and experiences, even those of suffering, were part of part of a joyous fellowship of all things connected in the cyclical unity of nature.  If only I could adopt that attitude.

The primary focus of Hesse in writing Siddhartha was to cure his sickness with life by immersing himself in Indian philosophy expounded in the Upanishads and the Bhahavad Gita.  In an attempt to achieve a transcendental state, Hesse lived as a recluse and became totally immersed in the sacred teachings of both Hindu and Buddhist scriptures.  In the end, Hesse learned that real wisdom does not come from any one teacher but from multiple sources and experiences. 

This book and many other experiences in Vietnam set me off on my life-long search for meaning.  Obviously, in you are a reader of this blog, you know I’m still searching.  Full admission – I have found no secrets.  To continue on the quest, however, here’s the question I recently raised to explore the relative value of the sources of meaning I have found in that 55 year search.

What are the similarities and differences among four schools of thought based on the writings of Lao Tzu, Rumi, Buddha, and Jesus?  How might returning to these ancient wisdoms be a way to navigate the chaos and fears of today’s world?

I chose those spiritual leaders because they have shaped philosophical thought for centuries.  Let me briefly explore the core tenets of their teachings, summarizing common ground and key differences. 

Despite originating from diverse cultural and historical contexts, the teachings of Rumi, Lao Tzu, Jesus, and Buddha converge on several common aspects of the human experience, particularly the emphasis on inner life and transformation, the nature of suffering, the path to transcendence, the importance of love and compassion, and guidance on living a meaningful life. All four figures underscore the importance of the inner world as the locus of true understanding, peace, and transformation.

Rumi, the 13th-century Persian poet mystic and voice of Sufism guides us on an inward journey of soul seeking union with the Divine. He suggests that even painful experiences serve as messengers, fostering learning and growth. Rumi encourages us to recognize our inherent potential and divinity, stating that each person carries a part of God within them. He posits that the answers we seek reside within our own hearts, urging us to quiet external distractions and listen to our inner voice. Furthermore, Rumi teaches that the pursuit of love is not about searching externally but about removing the internal barriers that prevent its blossoming.  Still sounds relevant to me.

Similarly, Lao Tzu, the ancient Chinese Taoist philosopher credited with writing the Tao Te Ching, directs us toward a life lived in harmony with the Tao through cultivating self-awareness and practicing non-interference. He identifies simplicity, patience, and compassion as invaluable inner treasures . Lao Tzu’s philosophy emphasizes the power of aligning with the natural flow of life, suggesting that true effectiveness arises from a state of inner stillness. He advocates for emptying ourselves of excessive thoughts and attachments to attain wisdom and inner peace.   I find Taoism most resonate with my beliefs. 

Jesus of Nazareth, the central figure of Christianity, also emphasized the necessity of inner transformation. His teachings went beyond mere outward adherence to religious laws, calling for a fundamental change of heart and inner attitudes. Jesus proclaimed that the Kingdom of God, the divine realm of peace and righteousness, is not an external entity but exists within each of us. This focus on the inner spiritual state over external displays of piety was a consistent theme in his ministry.  Hmm, maybe the “pious” Christian Nationalists could take Jesus a little more seriously.

Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, provided a comprehensive framework for inner liberation through the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. His teachings underscore the personal journey towards enlightenment, emphasizing self-discipline, mindfulness, and the cultivation of wisdom. Buddha taught that we must take responsibility for our own lives and actions on the path to awakening. The Eightfold Path itself is a structured approach to self-development, targeting ethical conduct, mental discipline, and the cultivation of wisdom.  

Recognizing the pervasive nature of suffering in human existence, Rumi, Lao Tzu, Jesus, and Buddha each offered perspectives on its origins and pathways to transcendence. Rumi views suffering not as an ultimate negative but as a crucible for spiritual growth, a necessary process through which divine light can enter the soul. He encourages us to open our hearts to pain, learn from it, and allow it to shape us positively.  

Lao Tzu identifies resistance to the natural order and attachment to desires as the primary sources of suffering. His teachings advocate for acceptance of life’s flow and practicing non-resistance as key strategies for minimizing pain and finding peace amidst hardship. The metaphor of water, yielding yet powerful, illustrates the Taoist approach to navigating challenges with flexibility rather than rigid opposition.  

Jesus addressed suffering through the lens of compassion and forgiveness, offering the promise of eternal life in the Kingdom of God as a transcendence of earthly pain. His own suffering and resurrection provide a theological framework for understanding pain as a path to redemption. Furthermore, Jesus taught forgiveness as a powerful means of healing the suffering caused by resentment and broken relationships .  

Buddha’s Four Noble Truths provide a direct and systematic analysis of suffering. The First Truth acknowledges its existence, the Second identifies its root cause in desire and ignorance, the Third posits the possibility of its cessation in Nirvana, and the Fourth outlines the Eightfold Path as the means to achieve this end. Buddha pinpointed craving for pleasure, material possessions, and immortality as unsatisfiable desires that inevitably lead to suffering.  

Here’s a summary of the core themes and principles of each teacher:

While sharing common ground on fundamental principles, all four presented distinct paths and emphasized different aspects in their teachings.

As you can see, in an era marked by unprecedented levels of anxiety, fear, and division, the ancient wisdom of Rumi, Lao Tzu, Jesus, and Buddha may offer profound and practical guidance for navigating the chaos and cruelty of the world we are living in.  Clearly, there are many other sources of wisdom I could have cited:  Judaism, Hinduism, Jainism, Zoroastrianism, Sikhism, Atheism etc.  If you follow any of those paths, you may want to complete the grids for yourself. 

These ancient teachings, while originating from distinct spiritual and philosophical traditions, offer a remarkably consistent message for humanity across the ages. They collectively emphasize the importance of cultivating a rich inner life, understanding and transcending suffering, embracing love and compassion, and pursuing a meaningful existence that extends beyond material concerns. While their paths to wisdom differ in their specific practices and ultimate goals, the core principles they espouse remain profoundly relevant in today’s hate and fear-ridden world. By returning to these ancient wellsprings of wisdom, we can find timeless guidance for managing anxiety, cultivating inner peace, fostering connection in a divided society, and discovering a deeper sense of purpose that transcends the angst of today..

While I chose not to summarize many other ancient paths to wisdom, I don’t want to limit the sources to men. Hildegard de Bingen, an 11^th century polymath, writer, composer, philosopher, mystic, and visionary,  has always been a source of inspiration to me.  She was a German Benedictine abbess in the middle ages who used poetry, music, and art to bring together spiritual communities.  From her early childhood, she had a vision of spreading love among different peoples around the world.  She called it a reflection and extension of a living light. She formed a community of women to tend to the sick and created musical compositions that have lightened spirits for hundreds of years.  Here is a link to a YouTube video of chants called the voice of angels.  Some credit her as the source of Gregorian chants.  I recommend you take a moment to listen.  They may transport you to a peaceful place. 

I’m hoping we can all find sources of wisdom to help us navigate this treacherous time in history.  I’m also hoping some ancient ways can facilitate our unfolding, “untouched by the storms and wounds all around us.”  Finally, I’m hoping we can all turn to whatever music, art, and poetry help us find inner peace and build spiritual communities.  May it be so.

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Ron Irwin

12 days ago

Deep stuff Ricky! Thank you!

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