What The Hell Does That Mean?
Explaining in modern language the wisdom of spiritual teachers across the ages.
The original passage is "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth."[1]
The understanding of meek is docile, gentile, passive, etc. So therefore most people interpret this as meaning, "entitled are the passive, for they shall take over the world."
However, that's not what it really means.
The original passage is "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth."[1]
The understanding of meek is docile, gentile, passive, etc. So therefore most people interpret this as meaning, "entitled are the passive, for they shall take over the world."
However, that's not what it really means.
The original word for meek was "praos" which translates into great power under control.[2] Wow, that's completely opposite of passive. Could it be that this popular passage has been misunderstood for centuries?
Should it be understood as "Blessed are the disciplined: for they shall inherit the earth."? That does seem to make more sense but what the hell does this mean?
It means to be self-disciplined. To have self-mastery over your emotions, judgments, beliefs and fears. So that your decisions and external actions reflect your internal thoughts. So your external life is integrated with your inner self, i.e. to live with integrity. These are the people who are entitled to "inherit the earth".
Having self-discipline means you can achieve whatever you decide to pursue. You have willpower and nothing can stand in your way. "Improving willpower is the surest way to a better life."[3]
Here's one of my favourite versions "Blessed is the man who has every instinct, every impulse, every unruly passion under control. Blessed is the man who is self-controlled."[4]
Do agree or disagree? Leave a comment, let me know.
Do you have a wisdom from a spiritual teacher that you ask yourself "what the hell does that mean?" Let me know in the comments.
Should it be understood as "Blessed are the disciplined: for they shall inherit the earth."? That does seem to make more sense but what the hell does this mean?
It means to be self-disciplined. To have self-mastery over your emotions, judgments, beliefs and fears. So that your decisions and external actions reflect your internal thoughts. So your external life is integrated with your inner self, i.e. to live with integrity. These are the people who are entitled to "inherit the earth".
Having self-discipline means you can achieve whatever you decide to pursue. You have willpower and nothing can stand in your way. "Improving willpower is the surest way to a better life."[3]
Here's one of my favourite versions "Blessed is the man who has every instinct, every impulse, every unruly passion under control. Blessed is the man who is self-controlled."[4]
Do agree or disagree? Leave a comment, let me know.
Do you have a wisdom from a spiritual teacher that you ask yourself "what the hell does that mean?" Let me know in the comments.
“One who conquers himself is greater than another who conquers a thousand times a thousand men on the battlefield.” - Buddha
References
[1] Matthew 5:5 is the fifth verse of the fifth chapter of the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament
[2] http://www.christianlibrary.org/authors/Grady_Scott/matt5-5.htm
[3] Roy Baumeister, Willpower
[4] http://thereligionnetwork.com/MAY_2010/THE_REAL_MEANING_OF_MEEKNESS_05-19-10.html