What do you think is the nature of evil? Does it exist? According to Jungian psychology evil is the projection of our collective and our personal shadow. This echoes Jesus' statement, "Resist not evil."
Deepak Chopra: 'Resist Not Evil'
Thursday June 19, 2008
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Evil does not exist. Calling a person "evil" is the ultimate act of scapegoating. I also believe that saints are raised up in the same process by which sinners are cast down. The mind creates an artifical polarity in which one person is considered a living manifestation of the divine, and another is considered a devil. Both are projections, made for the sake of simplicity, or for the sake of disowning our own power and responsibility.
Did Hitler exterminate the European Jews?
Did Gandhi liberate the Indian subcontinent?
Attributing all power and influence to a leader or teacher may seem a gesture of humility. And certainly some people have developed their ability to influence more than others. But let's not exaggerate the differences between people to such an extent.
We all have the same mind. Sometimes we act as channels for the greatest Truth our age is capable of reaching. And sometimes we act as channels of resistance.
Deepok,
Please use a proper translation of the Bible, and at least provide a reference when you claim to quote it! Matthew 5:39 is quoting Jesus as saying, "Do not resist an evil person..." referring to not giving in to hatred or revenge, and humbling yourself. This is a vastly different concept than what you claim Jesus said.
Thank you for your comment, Kerry. I agree it is helpful to be clear about our sources. Vastly different English translations of the NT do exist. Think of the difference between the NRSV and the King James, for example. And they're both such excellent translations! Yet each contains its own theological presuppositions.
We may be using different translations, and then there is the added layer of interpretation. I'm not sure there really can be wrong interpretations. Interpreting the sayings of Jesus in the synopic gospels is a cottage industry all its own.
I remember being a student in seminary, preparing my first sermons. I'd shuffle down to the lowest floor of the library with my heart in my throat. Thousands of volumes of interpretation were down there, waiting for me, each volume dedicated to just one of Jesus' sayings!
I think that when we lift a hand to cast a stone, it's really directed at the places where we think we've failed. Guilt, self-criticism and feeling as though we've fallen short drive us to find fault in others and jump to accuse and punish. I wonder if we act to prevent the discernment of our own shadow by others.
That said, I have a friend who was murdered by his own daughter. It is hard for me to look at her and not believe that evil can inhabit people.
hi deepak, i think what christ meant when he said "resist not evil" is that: one who resists what one would call "evil' would be strengthening 'evil" because it succeeded in looking real. evil is not real in the sense we think it is, it does not have it's own life, it is a shadow , something only misunderstood, whenever we resist anything we feel pain because pain is resistance itself.
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