Like a Shepherd
The Platonist Maximus Tyrius wrote, "Every injustice is the
taking away of a good thing; there is no good thing other than virtue." He
continued by saying that, "Virtue, however, cannot to taken away, therefore, it
is not possible for the virtuous to suffer injustice from the
wicked."
The only good thing is virtue. Virtue is a quality which you either possess or you don't. Since it is a quality, you can't go out and purchase it, and as a quality, no one can take it from you.
The wicked may wish to tarnish your reputation; they may disrupt your family; they may attempt to interfere with the success of your business, but they cannot damage your virtue. That is your possession. There is no good thing other than that.
That good thing, virtue, is with you each moment of your life. Mahatma Gandhi wrote, "One's everyday life is never capable of being separated from one's spiritual being. Both act and react upon one another."
Your virtue sustains you when the wicked attempt acts of injustice against you. It both acts upon the world around you and reacts to the injustices of that world.
Tyrius also stated that the wicked person possesses no good at all, for only virtue is such a good.
Gandhi said, "When I despair, I remember that all through time there have been tyrants and murderers, but in time they always fall. The way of Truth and Love always wins. Remember this always."
He also believed that civil disorder, political unrest, and wars were simply interruptions to the Way of Truth and Love.
The tyrants, those who perpetrate wickedness, do so always through injustice. Through abuse of power the carry on a reign of terror.
They will openly declare that they are persons of power. Because they are feared, they claim to hold power over others. People will do anything to please them for they fully understand that failing to do as this self-declared person of power orders is to suffer at his hand.
Therefore the power of the tyrant is derived through fear. Fear becomes the weapon of control.
As I reflected upon injustice I recall a story about a follower of Gandhi. This man lived in a humble hut. He was highly respected in his village. Upon entering his home guests found it sparsely furnished. The walls were bare save for one picture.
The picture was a portrait of a farmer standing in his field. His face was that of a hard working man who tilled his soil and brought in the harvest.
When asked who the man was the reply would be, "That is my master's master."
Those who knew this man were aware that he was a follower of Gandhi. Therefore they anxiously wanted to know who the man in the picture was. Who was Gandhi's master?
The answer was that this common farmer in the picture represented the people of India who suffered injustices, who were ruled by a tyrant government. The people of India were Gandhi's masters.
Because he served his people, Gandhi held great power. His power came from them. His power was gained through their love of him. His power came from the Way of Truth and Love.
He was like a good shepherd. Isaiah 40:11 describes the manner of Mahatma Gandhi. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd; he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead . . .
He offered Truth. He offered Justice. He offered Hope. He offered Peaceful Resistance to all injustice. He offered Love.
He possessed tremendous power over his people. His power came from his belief in the citizens of India and the belief in all people.
The tyrant reigns through the abuse of power. He controls with the weapons of fear. As he is weak, he uses injustice to gain control.
By contrast men of virtue, such as Mahatma Gandhi, become the inspiration which guides others to find their Way of Truth and Love.
(written 11-25-99)
The only good thing is virtue. Virtue is a quality which you either possess or you don't. Since it is a quality, you can't go out and purchase it, and as a quality, no one can take it from you.
The wicked may wish to tarnish your reputation; they may disrupt your family; they may attempt to interfere with the success of your business, but they cannot damage your virtue. That is your possession. There is no good thing other than that.
That good thing, virtue, is with you each moment of your life. Mahatma Gandhi wrote, "One's everyday life is never capable of being separated from one's spiritual being. Both act and react upon one another."
Your virtue sustains you when the wicked attempt acts of injustice against you. It both acts upon the world around you and reacts to the injustices of that world.
Tyrius also stated that the wicked person possesses no good at all, for only virtue is such a good.
Gandhi said, "When I despair, I remember that all through time there have been tyrants and murderers, but in time they always fall. The way of Truth and Love always wins. Remember this always."
He also believed that civil disorder, political unrest, and wars were simply interruptions to the Way of Truth and Love.
The tyrants, those who perpetrate wickedness, do so always through injustice. Through abuse of power the carry on a reign of terror.
They will openly declare that they are persons of power. Because they are feared, they claim to hold power over others. People will do anything to please them for they fully understand that failing to do as this self-declared person of power orders is to suffer at his hand.
Therefore the power of the tyrant is derived through fear. Fear becomes the weapon of control.
As I reflected upon injustice I recall a story about a follower of Gandhi. This man lived in a humble hut. He was highly respected in his village. Upon entering his home guests found it sparsely furnished. The walls were bare save for one picture.
The picture was a portrait of a farmer standing in his field. His face was that of a hard working man who tilled his soil and brought in the harvest.
When asked who the man was the reply would be, "That is my master's master."
Those who knew this man were aware that he was a follower of Gandhi. Therefore they anxiously wanted to know who the man in the picture was. Who was Gandhi's master?
The answer was that this common farmer in the picture represented the people of India who suffered injustices, who were ruled by a tyrant government. The people of India were Gandhi's masters.
Because he served his people, Gandhi held great power. His power came from them. His power was gained through their love of him. His power came from the Way of Truth and Love.
He was like a good shepherd. Isaiah 40:11 describes the manner of Mahatma Gandhi. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd; he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead . . .
He offered Truth. He offered Justice. He offered Hope. He offered Peaceful Resistance to all injustice. He offered Love.
He possessed tremendous power over his people. His power came from his belief in the citizens of India and the belief in all people.
The tyrant reigns through the abuse of power. He controls with the weapons of fear. As he is weak, he uses injustice to gain control.
By contrast men of virtue, such as Mahatma Gandhi, become the inspiration which guides others to find their Way of Truth and Love.
(written 11-25-99)
Posted: Sat - January 7, 2006 at 06:40 AM
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"Chance favors only the prepared mind." - Louis Pasteur
"Art arises from basic needs-a strong need to express and celebrate our everyday events.
In a museum most people spend less than twenty seconds looking at a work of art."
"Art arises from basic needs-a strong need to express and celebrate our everyday events.
In a museum most people spend less than twenty seconds looking at a work of art."
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Published On: Jan 08, 2006 06:41 AM
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Published On: Jan 08, 2006 06:41 AM