Paradox, that is the title given to the current trend in life. John Naisbitt is one of the figures who contribute greatly to the popularity of the paradoxical terminology. Fundamental in the minds of people like Naisbitt, when there is a tendency that comes out of a common sense rail, it easily enters the paradoxical box. Some of the humans who gave the title paradox and then disappointed, some even grow precisely because of paradox. This paper hopes that more friends will be made to grow by the following paradoxes. It is not the intention of this paper to make the following paradoxes the beginning of new enmities and suspicions.
Some paradoxes worthy of scrutiny are what happens in different countries. As the example of Bali is bred as communicated in a long time by the tourism industry is the island of peace. But here too thousands of human beings were slaughtered for the communist title in 1965. Here also two terrorist bombs roared the souls of many people. Here is also a city on fire because the presidential candidate supported was not elected in 1999.
India is also similar. Here are born two world religions (Hindu and Buddhist), here also born great and wonderful spiritual figures from Mahatma Gandhi, Ramakrishna, Svami Vivekananda, 0sho, Ramana Maharsi to Gautama Buddha, Atisha, and Acharya Shantidewa. But here also hatred spurred hostility continuously, so that Hindu friends with friends of Islam has not ended entirely hostility. Border issues are still heating up. A number of places of worship are still guarded by the authorities
Tibet is the roof of the world. Like the head of Earth. So easy to understand here was born many amazing life literature (one example The Tibetian Book of the Dead). But here too, the agony is so long. From its leader the Dalai Lama has been in exile for decades, the fate of Tibetan people filled with tears.
The Middle East is similar. Here two world religions (Islam and Christian) were born. But here too the weapons machines roar continued to feed on the helpless human victims. Israel and the Palestinians have not shown signs of peace in the long term. Lately even more sad.
So in the totality, it is easy to understand that Naisbitt once read a worldwide tendency: 'religion no, spirituality yes'. Religion is not, spirituality yes. This is similar to the experience of an Indonesian teenager who has studied in Melbourne. Once in a large class the number of his students, his lecturer asked: any one of you who have religion? Who has a religion in this class? And the raising of hands is only a handful of people alone. But students who do not raise their hands, if borrowed a pencil do not forget to return. When you meet the lecturers lend a heavy burden of the book, quickly provide help. If the line is anywhere very disciplined with the queue. When meeting other friends smiling while saying good morning. When a friend is in trouble, his reflexes work very quickly to help. When entering the elevator door or railway door priority of parents.
So it raises the question, what is the religion of these people? Similar to a number of foreign tourists who come to Bali, when asked if you are a Christian, he just replied with a silent smile. But politely gosh. Enter the house knocking on the door, forgot to sit down, then asked: May I sit? If you disagree, start with 'forgive me if I disagree'. And some heartfelt manners.
It is also what makes some friends in the spiritual world begin to shift: from spiritual knowledge to spiritual attainment. Learning from the Buddha complete with compassion is good. Reading Sufi poems that are themed love and just love, of course useful. Amazed by the prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi is certainly meaningful. Falling in love with Bhagawad Gita is certainly a growth soul. Going through the wisdom of Confucius is of course useful. But actualizing it into the daily spiritual achievement, certainly requires a much harder effort.
Amazed by the Dalai Lama's spiritual achievements, Richard Gere once asked this Tibetan spiritual leader about the true religion of the Dalai Lama in his daily life. With a full smile in advance, the Dalai Lama replied: my true religion is good.
This is similar to the story of a Melbourne student up front who did not raise his hand when asked to have a religion or not. But his daily diligent help, as well as rarely hurt. Some of these people are madly saying: 'My religion is Love'.