When my parents died I was estranged from them. This was, as I see it, primarily their choice. I had been told that they didn't want to see me again. I found myself entangled in a conundrum. I generally accept that, while often mistranslated & misinterpreted, the Decalogue or Ten Commandments inherited from Jewish law are excellent moral precepts and Divinely inspired. So how was I supposed to take the 4th Commandment requiring that I honor my father & mother?
Firstly, seems clear to me that honoring the general principles my parents tawt is more important than honoring any specific conclusion they may have made. I was honoring their teaching to take responsibility for my own life. I wasn't tawt to blindly obey authority, even theirs. So, did this commandment have a deeper meaning?
Having given this subject some thot, I've concluded that it most certainly does. I am fortunate to have a ministerial couple that introduced me to what is sometimes called "New Thot" Christianity. I met them in a hi stress period of my life when I really needed some guidance. At one point I remember calling them my spiritual parents. An overstatement with a grain of truth. These lifelong friends, too, helped me grow into a more adult spirituality.
I have been exceedingly fortunate in the teachers I've had. Each of them contributed in their own way to the formation of my philosophy. Each of them was a mother or father to my philosophy. Of course the patriarchal nomadic structure of early Judaism was referring to genetic relation when it talked about "father" & "mother" but I think the esoteric significance of these terms goes much deeper to include all of those who influenced our lives thru their teaching.
My teachers were the mothers and fathers of my philosophy but so were those who spoke to me thru their writing. I'd like to think that Robert Heinlein, Tielhard de Chardin, Kahil Gibran, Alfred North Whitehead, Rev. Charles Dodgson (Lewis Caroll), and so many others were also. We all have many ancestors of mind and soul as well as those of the body.
I'm taking a breath (spiritus) here to express heartfelt gratitude in recognition of all of the help I've received from these teachers. A breath to remember them and cherish their wisdom. My debt can never be repaid. Nevertheless, this I can do to "Honor your father & mother."
This I can do in honor of my Mom & Dad.
