Religious intolerance

intolerance
Guilty.
Yes me, the Buddhist who speaks of acceptance and loving kindness all the time.
I have become unavoidably aware of my intolerance and judgmental views.

Being that I have also recently learned about Buddha’s teachings regarding the difference between remorse and regret, I do find myself being remorseful of this. With regret, one carries the suffering with them. With remorse, we can accept our mistake and forgive ourselves. We then open the doorway to positive healthy action.
Today, I make the strong determination to not simply tolerate, but to enthusiastically embrace our differences.

Yesterday I watched a YouTube video of a Shaman speaking to a large group of people. During his talk, he was poking fun at and criticizing meditation and the whole process of meditation. Now this was coming from a person who believes they speak to invisible beings or spirits.
And is that really any different from anyone who believes in a God being who exists trillions of miles away in outer space in a place called Heaven? And most of those same individuals certainly believe they can speak to that person called God, correct?
Well who am I to say that any of this not true? Can I prove it is not true? And even if I could, why would I want to, and for what greater purpose?

I am just now beginning to see that simply because my practice is based on scientific facts and personal examination, does not discredit anyone elses’ beliefs or practices.
It is within this self-righteousness that I only serve to cause separation and create judgements.

Again, this brings me back to a previous post I made about living genuinely.
I spend each day directing my intentions toward loving kindness, compassion, acceptance and equanimity for the whole World.
But where is the genuine nature in this if I see any other religious practice as wrong or incorrect?

In the past, I have always been slightly upset by other religions trying to convert me to their way of thinking. But I see that my lack of genuine acceptance is really the same thing that I show to others who are not on the same path as I am.
This path that I am on is not about exclusivity, but quite the opposite. It is a path of community and connectedness.
Perhaps the Dalai Lama said it best when he said “My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.”

From this moment forward, I pray that I me be an example of kindness and acceptance to all of you. Not to tolerate, as toleration is judgement. But I wish to embrace your path, as I see you exist here as a truly loving human being just like me.

May you be well, happy and peaceful.