Pearls before Swine

[ChildOfNone]

I have been thinkinga about some entries from one of Seth's threads. Here is one entry that I wanted to write about.

Originally Posted by ChildOfNone
piano performer - I don't defend them. I use them and believe them but I don't lay them out in the open - pearls before swine.

You said that you need to "protect" your beliefs. Defense isn't just actively defending them in the open, but not allowing anyone else to see your beliefs, lest they attack or criticize them.

Who are the "swine"?

There are several good points made on the thread started by Seth that have been in my mind for several days. Pianoperformer, Your question gives me an opportunity to put my thoughts together in a way to clarify my meaning to myself. Now let me see if I can do that in a way that you might understand what I am thinking.

By analogy a sapling might need more protection than a strong, deeply rooted adult tree. In my case it is not so much age (as in the sapling/adult tree comparison) but a juxtaposition of strength versus an ediface in a storm under assault from a number of forces. Here is an example from my life. I am involved with a group who comes together to intercede in prayer for people who request it. I have been doing this for over 12 years. In the smaller group I pray with and in the larger group that we are a part of there are a substantial number of people who not only do not meditate but they view meditate as a dangerous occult practice. I have chosen across the years to keep my beliefs and my practices of meditation to myself. I do not care to put them out to encounter the scronful judgment.

I already know their POV which is different from mine. I would not sway them nor they me. So why keep it to myself? The best way I can explain it is that through a conversation I had with an adolescent last winter. I had taken my young son on a scouting overnight with a troop we were visiting. One young man was very, very negative and another 12 year old lay down the law that such negativity would not be allowed. When questioned about his rule, this young guy responded that negativity was contagious and spread, affecting those around. I thought that was a wise response. And I realized that I had chosen to follow that pattern though not so consciously.

I am more than willing to share my spiritual views in many situations. But when I know they will be rejected I see no value in opening up those boxes.

[pianoperformer]

Hi,

I do see what you mean; trust me I do. Of course it is your right to deal with your beliefs however you see best, but let's discuss it and see what we get.

I try my best to follow inspiration and to follow my intuition. If it is uncomfortable I know I need to do it anyway.

I was talking to someone the other day about reincarnation. He does not believe in it, but he is open and so asked me questions.

In the midst of our conversation, another guy walked in who definitely does not believe in reincarnation. I definitely hesitated, but what the first person and I were talking about were really helping him, so I pushed on and kept talking about it.

The second asked about it, and so I explained why I believe in it, and some instrumental books I had read on the subject. He immediately tried to argue against it, so all I said was that I didn't think it was wise to argue against something unless he had first read it and fully understood it, then we could discuss. Then I continued to discuss it with the first person.

Yes it was awkward, but I was glad I had done that in the end, instead of succumbing to fear.

What i would say in your situation is to not try to advertise your beliefs to others, as that can just come across as pushy. But I certainly wouldn't be shy about them, either. And, just because you bring up your opinion doesn't mean you are up to debate. Perhaps recommend some resources if they want to read more, or just say this is what you believe and it has worked in your life.

My second thought, in the line of ho ʻ oponopono, as we are discussing in my other thread, is that there is some reason that you are afraid to reveal your beliefs. Perhaps you are afraid of them being attacked, which might reveal an uncertainty within yourself, or some other cause. Why are you creating this fear and hesitation in your life? Recognize that it's not the other people at all that are the problem. There is no such thing as swine, except in your own mind.

Let me know what you think.