There is a common thread that runs through all our hearts, even if we’re unaware. This common thread will manifest differently across diverse cultures and religious traditions. We may feel it as a desire for God, the Self, the Highest Good, Enlightenment, Gnosis, Awareness, Theosis, Godhood, Truth, or Love.
What is this Aspiration?
This aspiration is that common thread. It is no less present in the heart of an atheist as it is in a Buddhist, a Christian or a Muslim. This aspiration is a longing for the Highest, it is a desire for that which we may or may not understand. This longing is a yearning for something deeper and more real.
It is this common aspiration that, despite our many differences, is true of us all if we’re human. That is to say, if we’ve not already drowned out that voice through hopelessness or despair.
What is this aspiration for? As a Christian, I would say it was for God. But not God as a belief, a dogma, or a religious affiliation. It is to know God, personally; but even this is limited: why? Because I’m limited. What alone assuages this desire of the heart is to know God deeply, intimately, so much so as to become God in complete Oneness and identity.
One Aspiration, Many Religions
How does this aspiration look within different religious traditions? While what follows will be very brief, it will seek to touch on the major religions. We can only provide a taste of that one aspiration as it distinctly manifests within each of these faiths.
The Eastern Faiths:
Taoism
The aspiration a Taoist will manifest is the longing to return to the Tao. To be emptied of all form, to seek the lowest place, is to be like the Tao.
The highest form of goodness is like water.
Water knows how to benefit all things without striving with them.
It stays in places loathed by all men. Therefore it comes near the Tao.
~ Tao Teh Ching 8a.
To empty and lower oneself to the lowest place is this aspiration as depicted within Taoism. This desire is natural, and nothing forced. We express this aspiration by assuming Taoist principles, often without even knowing it. Whenever we humble ourselves, without forcefully promoting ourselves, we’ve touched the Tao.
Hinduism
Within this one religion alone, there are countless ways of expressing one’s aspiration. There are multiple gods representing a variety of Hindu traditions. This being true, we may more often think of what’s been called the ‘Hindu Trinity’: Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.
This aspiration may be felt each time one repeats the sacred syllable OM (ॐ).
Within bhakti yoga, a devotee will feel that aspiration in loving devotion to their chosen deity, such as Krishna, Shiva, Kali, and many other possibilities.
An adherent of karma yoga, which is dedication toward good works, one may lose their self in serving others, thus expressing that aspiration.
One who follows jnana yoga expresses their aspiration via the direct path to the divine Self, called Self-realization or God-realization.
Buddhism
There are multiple schools and variations within Buddhism as well. Within each of these, an aspirant will seek moksha or release from the endless wheel of life-death-rebirth called samsara. This release is called nirvana, which is Enlightenment.
This aspiration will also be expressed differently between the forms of Buddhism called Theravada and Mahayana.
There is the Noble Eightfold Path, which gives expression to this aspiration by various approaches toward Nirvana. These are right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration or samadhi.
The Western or Abrahamic Faiths:
Judaism
This religion captures the essence of aspiration when Yahweh came down on Mt. Sinai and gave Torah (the law) to Israel by Moses. The aspirant was enjoined to “…diligently keep all these commandments…, to do them, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, and to cleave unto him” – Deuteronomy 11:22.
Again, this aspiration is expressed with the lighting of candles during Hanukah. Other expressions of this longing are found in the worshipful resting during Shabbat, the celebration of Passover, Rosh Hashana or Yom Kippur, and other holidays.
Christianity
The aspiration within this faith is in the reciprocal relationship one may have with God through Jesus Christ. What is emphasized in this religion is God’s aspiration toward man, and not ours toward Him, important as that may be. It’s summed up in this text:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” – John 3:16.
God loved us so much, that He gave. He expressed His aspiration toward us. And now the life of the Christian is in reciprocating that aspiration back to the Father by following Jesus. Athanasius said,
“For the Son of God became man so that we might become God.” – De Incarnation 54.3.
Islam
The word Islam literally means submission, as to Allah. God is One (Arab. tawhid), and submitting to that is the highest purpose in the Islamic Faith.
It is moving to see multitudes of Muslims bowing in prayer before the Kaaba in Mecca. It is incumbent upon every Muslim to make this pilgrimage, at least once in their lifetime. This central point symbolizes and represents divine Oneness.
Each Muslim must face the Kaaba (qibla) in prayer five times a day. This outward practice symbolizes an inward truth, as one’s true qibla is in the heart. This is why the Sufis (Islamic mystics) refer to this qur’anic verse:
To Allah belong the East and the West. Wheresoever you turn, there is the face of Allah. Allah is All-Encompassing, Knowing. – al-Qur’an 2:115.
In Conclusion
These many expressions of aspiration given above reveal a human commonality. However, we’re not overlooking our differences here, as these are important in their place. But what makes us different and unique serves only to add to the tapestry of what unites us all.
Today, enough is made of our differences, and these are often used to divide us. Or we’re forced to bury our differences in the espousing of a New Age religion which tramples our religious identity in the name of inclusion and tolerance.
Finally, we recognize that each Faith has an esoteric kernel. This mystical aspect touches on the very aspiration within the heart of all. Indeed. Such has been called interiorism. Where we may find an impassible gap between our beliefs outwardly, we may instead go within and together touch the same Ground.
Suggested Reading:
This primer provides the reader with a workable knowledge of the basics of the major religions. Huston Smith come from a place of respect for tradition and the human aspiration expressed thereby.
Buy Now!
William C. Chittick, in my view, is the preeminent interpreter of Ibn al-‘Arabi’s thought. And this book highlights a more deeper and mystical exploration of religious pluralism as concerns us here. This book has a special place in my own library.