The Prophet Within

Abraham Maslow saw prophet potential in everyone. He believed everyone was capable of having “peak experiences” equivalent to the solitary visions experienced by the mystics and prophets who gave rise to all the religions of the world. Maslow believed religion and societal influences suppressed belief in the prophet within, thus preventing some people from having “peak experiences,” while others were able to experience them.

From the point of view of the peak experiencer, each person has his own private religion. This develops out of his own personal revelations in which are revealed to him his own private myths and symbols, rituals and ceremonies. These may be of the profoundest meaning to him personally and yet completely idiosyncratic, i.e., of no meaning to anyone else.”

The great lesson from the true mystics is that the sacred is in the ordinary, that it is to be found in one’s daily life, in one’s neighbors, friends and family, in one’s own back yard.

Maslow felt that organized religion and the religious elite appropriated the concepts of sacredness and divinity, even the words themselves.

Maslow encouraged people from all walks of life to reclaim concepts such as ‘sacred,’ ‘holy’ and ‘divine’ and make them your own. He believed everyone could have personal epiphanies and a personal religion just as the great prophets did.

Beyond The Big Ten

We are all familiar with the biblical “Ten Commandments.” Today I want to explore the “Commandments” of other belief systems and faiths.

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Ten Commandments of Solon, 638 BCE – 558 BCE

Famous Greek (Athenian) statesman, lawmaker, and poet. “Lives of Eminent Philosophers” by Diogenes Laertius.

1. Trust good character more than promises.
2. Do not speak falsely.
3. Do good things.
4. Do not be hasty in making friends, but do not abandon them once made.
5. Learn to obey before you command.
6. When giving advice, do not recommend what is most pleasing, but what is most useful.
7. Make reason your supreme commander.
8. Do not associate with people who do bad things.
9. Honor the gods.
10. Have regard for your parents.

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Native American Ten Commandments

1. Treat the Earth and all that dwell thereon with respect.
2. Remain close to the Great Spirit.
3. Show great respect for your fellow beings.
4. Work together for the benefit of all humankind.
5. Give assistance and kindness wherever needed.
6. Do what you know to be right.
7. Look after the well being of mind and body.
8. Dedicate a share of your efforts to the greater good.
9. Be truthful and honest at all times.
10. Take full responsibility for your actions.

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THE NINE NOBLE VIRTUES OF ASATRU

1. TRUTH

Blind faith has no place in Asatru. No pie-in-the-sky; we must act in this world as we see it and as it really is rather than calmly wait for the next

2. HONOR

We must be true to what we are, and we insist on acting with nobility rather than baseness. Our standards must be banners held high in our hearts.

3. FIDELITY

We stand true to our faith and our values. Loyalty is the basis for all enduring human activity, and we hold it in the highest esteem.

4. HOSPITALITY

The isolation and loneliness of modern life is not necessary. The willingness to share what one has with ones’ fellows, especially travelers, is a vital part of our way of life.

5. DISCIPLINE

We hold to the discipline necessary to fulfill our purpose. We stand willing to exercise the self-control and steadfastness necessary in these difficult times.

6. INDUSTRIOUSNESS

Let us dare to be all that we can be! Let us take risks and taste the richness of life. Passivity is for sheep. We refuse to be mere spectators in life.

7. SELF-RELIANCE

We depend on our own strength and character to achieve our goals. We seek only the freedom necessary to our quest, whatever it may be.

8. PERSEVERANCE

We hold to our path until its completion and are not ashamed to be strong. The cult of the anti-hero will find no support in us, and the gods we follow are not for the weak.

Cattle die, kinsmen die,
one day you yourself must die.
I know one thing that never dies:
the dead man’s reputation.

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The 10 Precepts of Buddhism

1. Not to kill or encourage others to kill. (Respect life).
2. Not to steal or encourage others to steal. (Be giving).
3. Not to engage in licentious acts or encourage others to do so. (Do not misuse sexuality).
4. Not to use false words and speech or encourage others to do so.
5. Not to trade or sell alcoholic beverages or encourage others to do so. (Do not cloud the mind).
6. Not to broadcast the misdeeds or faults of the assembly or encourage others to do so.
7. Not to elevate oneself and speak poorly of others or encourage others to do so.
8. Not to be stingy or encourage others to do so. (Do not be withholding).
9. Not to harbor anger or encourage others to be angry. (Resolve conflict).
10. Not to defile the Buddha, the Dharma or the Sangha (the Triple Jewel) or encourage others to do so.

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Nine Goddess Ethics

By Carol P. Christ

1. Nurture life.
2. Walk in love and beauty.
3. Trust the knowledge that comes through the body.
4. Speak the truth about conflict, pain, and suffering.
5. Take only what you need.
6. Think about the consequences of your actions for seven generations.
7. Approach the taking of life with great restraint.
8. Practice great generosity.
9. Repair the web.

Which resonate the most with you?

“Negative Values”

Mark, at The Naked Soul, posted insightfully about “Assigning Negative Values” to things like “days of week (Mondays), waiting in line at the store, and the myriad of other things we perceive to be negative, anger-worthy events. (A slow wait-person in a restaurant, the wrong order, etc.., etc.)”

In tribute to Mark’s awareness-raising post, I am motivated to post my own perspective on the topic as a person with health issues.

Sometimes I’m operating at a slower pace when it’s my turn to complete a task, fill out a form, or navigate through a crowded store. When that happens I see people assigning negative values to me. I hear quiet grumblings or see it on their faces. ‘Hurry up lady.’ ‘Geez, what’s her problem?’ ‘Why do I have do be in line behind her?’

“Why me,” they are thinking, “why am I so inconvenienced?” They don’t know I am slowed down due to multiple health crises and long periods of recovery. They don’t know my fragilities. They simply feel victimized by the inconvenience of my presence.

I recall reading an article written by a husband about the time his wife was driving back home from her oncologist’s office after being diagnosed with cancer. In her shock and distress, she was driving slowly and cautiously, putting forth extra effort to concentrate on the road. A road-raging stranger began screaming hateful names out the window at her and flipping her the bird.

While driving home to her family with the news of her cancer diagnosis and the grueling course of chemo treatment she faced, a stranger bullied her, frightened her and called her every derogatory name in the book.

Every time we feel inclined towards assigning a negative value to someone or something over a minor inconvenience or delay, we need to step back and think about the impact it has on ourselves and the people around us.

Many thanks Mark, for bringing “Negative Values” into our field of awareness and reminding me of stories that needed to be told.