USEFUL GUIDELINES

As those of you who know me are aware, I am deeply interested in the concept of religion and spirituality. Though brought up in the Southern Baptist tradition, I long ago recognized that I could not fit into that that system of beliefs. In fact, I find it difficult to subscribe to any dogma, and cannot join any institution that requires certainty of belief in something that in my view is unknowable. (I therefore am particularly impressed with the vow in item two below.) There is a vastness and a mystery regarding ultimate purpose and meaning that is beyond our human understanding. Furthermore, I do not like the term “commandments.” It implies that some religious authority is “in command” and that I must adhere to whatever is being ordered. In contrast, I see spirituality as an ongoing practice; I continually strive to behave in ways that are constructive to my own development and that do no harm to others. As in all human endeavors, sometimes I fail, but that does not negate the effort.

Anyway, though I do not like the term, and though I do not understand the meaning of the initial statement “God is the source of liberation,” I find these ten “commandments” written by a rabbi influenced by a Buddhist to be useful guidelines as I try to live a life of psychological health and spiritual fulfillment. In that sense I am sharing them with all of you.


The Ten Commandments
By Rabbi Rami Shapiro as inspired by Thich Nhat Hahn

1. God is the source of liberation. Aware of the suffering caused by enslavement to things and ideas, I vow to free myself from all addictions and compulsive behaviors, both material and spiritual.

2. God cannot be named. Aware of the suffering caused by gods created in our own image for our own profit, I vow to recognize all ideas about God as products of human beings, bound by history and circumstance and forever incapable of defining the Reality Beyond Naming.

3. God cannot be owned. Aware of the suffering caused by the misuse of God and religion in the quest of power, I vow to liberate myself from all ideologies that demonize others, and to honor only those teachings that uphold the freedom and dignity of woman, man, and nature.

4. Remember the Sabbath. Aware of the suffering caused by slavish attachment to work, consumption, and technology, I vow to set aside the Sabbath as a day of personal freedom, creativity, and play.

5. Honor your parents. Aware of the suffering caused by old age, I vow to care for my parents to the best of my ability and to promote the dignity and well-being of all elderly people.

6. Do not murder. Aware of the suffering caused by the wanton destruction of life, I vow to cultivate respect and gentleness toward all beings.

7. Avoid sexual misconduct. Aware of the suffering caused by sexual irresponsibility, I vow to honor human sexuality and never degrade it through violence, ignorance, selfishness, or deceit.

8. Do not steal. Aware of the suffering caused by exploitation, injustice, theft, and oppression, I vow to respect the property of others, to work for the just sharing of resources, and to cultivate generosity in myself and my community.

9. Do not lie. Aware of the suffering caused by harmful speech, I vow to speak truthfully and with compassion, to avoid gossip and slander, and to refrain from uttering words that cause needless division or discord.

10. Do not covet. Aware of the suffering caused by endless desire, I vow to live simply and avoid debt, to enjoy what I have before seeking to have more, and to labor for what I desire, honestly and justly.