Sufism, Vol. 1 Sufis: The People Of The Path Chapter 6: The Passion for the Impossible, Question 5

The last question:

Question 5

WHAT IS WRONG IN STUDYING RELIGIOUS SCRIPTURES?

Who will be studying? You will be studying. When you read a statement of Jesus, who will interpret it to you? You will interpret it. The statement will no longer be Jesus', it will become yours. You will have pulled it down to your level.

How can you read scriptures unless you attain to that consciousness out of which the j flowed? If you want to understand Krishna, his Geeta, you will have to attain to Krishna consciousness. There is no other way, otherwise you will corrupt the scripture. when I say 'Please burn the scriptures' I am not against the scriptures, I am trying to save them, otherwise you will corrupt them. If you want to understand Jesus you will have to attain to Christ consciousness -- at least a little bit. When a little window opens in your heart that gives you a vision of the sky that was fully available to Jesus -- only then. Otherwise you will go on interpreting in your own way.

That's what is happening always. Rather than learning the word, learn the ways of being more conscious.

The young convert worked as a clerk in a store operated on strictly Christian principles.

One day an elegant lady came in to buy some tapestry. Producing a roll from the lowest shelf, he said, 'This is $1.98 a yard, madam.'

'Young man, I can afford the very best and I want the very best,' the prospective customer declared.

'Well, this is $2.98 a yard,' said the clerk, producing the most expensive price range they had in fabrics.

'Young man, I don't think you understand -- I want the very best!' the customer said emphatically.

The clerk reached another roll of $2. 98 quality material. 'We have this one at $9.98 a yard,' he said.

'Fine,' responded the customer, 'that's just what I want!'

The owner came into the store later and was told of the transaction.

'But how can you reconcile a deal such as that with the scripture?' he asked -- because the store was run strictly on Christian principles.

Scratching his head, the young man replied, 'She was a stranger and I took her in.'

He is quoting a scripture!

Or this beauty....

It was somewhat disconcerting to the minister's wife to hear him exclaim, 'Oh Jesus, sweet Jesus!' every time he reached orgasm and she finally asked him about it.

'It is perfectly proper, my dear, and in accordance with the Bible,' he answered her. 'Don't you remember where it says "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord"?'

Sufism

VOL. 1, SUFIS: THE PEOPLE OF THE PATH

Chapter-6

The Passion for the Impossible