((Cliched but true: Don’t judge a book by its cover))In my RDB on Unity last semester, I discussed the popular phrase, “can’t judge a book by its cover,” in relation to the interconnectedness of things even if they appear unrelated. I notice that the Bible takes this unbiased phrase to a more personal and religious level through the passage, “judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24, p 89). Thus the unity discussions and attempts to “only connect” all year should be mirrored in our judgment of others actions. This also suggests that ideals of interconnectedness and embracement of diversity reach beyond a literary level to a universal one.
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(Water often symbolizes rebirth and cleansing))The Gospel of John also uses much light and water imagery to disclose truths about rebirth and salvation. Jesus discusses “living water” with a woman at a well when he asks “Give me to drink [. . .] he would have given thee living water” (John 4: 10, p 82). The adjective of “living” endows water with a vital importance. Indeed, I also know that water serves a central and symbolic purpose in Christianity as shown at times such as when Jesus washes the disciples feet and when people are baptized with water. Water symbolically cleanses the soul and leads to rebirth. This cleansing aspect of water and nature immediately brought me back to the Tower Garden and Taniguchi Garden. At the Taniguchi Garden we walked beside a peaceful stream, and walked across a bridge over a waterfall intended to symbolize cleansing and rebirth. Meanwhile at the Tower Garden we took refuge in the peacefulness of the turtle pond. Thus without even studying or mentioning Christianity, last semester we landed upon certain symbolic ideas about water and nature. Once again it seems that rebirth, illuminated by water and like unity, is a universal idea. The Bible simply highlights a message of rebirth and guides its followers through symbols put into words.
Yet another idea discussed both in previous classes and the Gospel of John is the idea of love. Through the Bhagavad Gita I was introduced to loving with detachment, a notion which at first confused me. I find in reading John, though, that while both Christianity and Hinduism focus on our good deeds, only Hinduism focuses on detached love. Countless instances, like the Love passage in the wedding Logan speaks of, in the New Testament pronounce love in a more united and holistic (rather than detached) sense. John writes that “God is love and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him” (1John 4:16) and that “there is no fear in love” (1John 4:18, p 113). When I read this passage and understand Jesus Christ’s sacrifice of Himself out of His love for humanity, it does not seem to be a detached love. Rather the kind of love the New Testament contains is an undying and extremely invested form of emotion. Or passion. And, indeed, I see value in both the devoted and detached views of love.
((Motto on the Main Building--Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free (John 8:32))Love, therefore, is another universal concept, and the Bible is only one of many spheres for its consideration. The New Testament, like other religious texts and philosophical ideas contains many insights about universal truths. The powerful words speak to billions of individuals (religious or not), and perhaps that is why the quote on the main tower is from the Gospel of John.
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