I really love this image (and not just because it goes so well with the decor of the site
). It may seem strange that I -- a non-Christian -- would use an image that I think most would agree has overtly Christian connotations (although actually if I understand correctly, there is no statement in the bible that actually mentions a lion lying down with a lamb, perhaps someone more familiar with scriptures can clarify). But this image (together with the text in my signature, about which I will say more later), really does a good job of representing my spiritual beliefs.Obviously, the overt message of this imagery is one of peace and love. It is symbol of even the most natural enemies getting along with each other. A very, very dear friend said to me:
I thought that that was one of the best compliments that I have ever gotten, and very accurate in describing what that image says to me.That image is all about peace and acceptance and the power of love; doesn't surprise me a bit that you would be drawn to it.
But there is another element to it. Obviously, under normal conditions, that lamb is going to be lamb chops for that big cat. Only divine intervention would overcome those natural predatory instincts (not to mention the lambs natural instinct to flee). One of the things that I love about that picture is the calm expression that both animals share as they gaze at ... what? The divine Light?
As many of you know, I have never been an adherent of any organized religion. But I have increasingly felt the divine presence in my life as I have grown older. And that is what that image really talks to me about. But what is that divine presence?
At the same time that I selected that image as my avatar, I added a quote as my signature text from a song by a young Reggae singer named Luciano (a very spiritual man who begins each of his concerts with a reading from the Bible and who talks as much about Jesus Christ as he does about Halie Selassie) called "Your World and Mine". At the time, I didn't really consciously understand the connection between the image and the words, but later it became obvious. Again, in case I change it, here are the words:
The connection is in the words "Where even the blind can see, and a deaf man can hear." How is the blind going to see, or a deaf man going to hear? Obviously, the only answer again is divine intervention. But the words say that WE can make this wonderful world where these miracles can happen, if we only learn to respect each other, to give as much as we want to get, to agree to share the world. So now we come to the crux of it. I believe that the Love in our hearts that allows us to do these things is the presence of God (Yahweh, Allah, Oludamare, Rastafari) in our souls. And that the more we nurture this Love, the more we learn to show each other respect, the more we give as much as we would like to get, the greater the divine presence becomes, so that even miracles become possible, and all of our differences in race and religion and politics will fall away to nothing.Imagine, if everyone could give,
As much they like to get.
And imagine, if everyone could learn,
To show each other respect.
Oh what a wonderful world it would be:
A world for you and me.
Where even the blind can see,
and a deaf man can hear.
And we can do it if we only agree;
Yes, we can do it if we only agree:
Its your world and mine.
We can do it if we only agree.
That is my religion.
.
Seems I've heard that about you somewhere before.