Wheel In The Sky Keep On Turning

The period from the eighth century, to the second century BC is referred to as the Axial Age. During this time, in several points around the globe, man’s search for an answer took a major turn. The Buddha, Lao Tzu, Confucius, Jesus (a bit outside of the time frame), the Jewish Mystic masters; these figures rose as the most noticeable examples of the change in direction human kinds search took. Rather than looking to the Heavens, to God, or gods, to spiritual powers, or ancestral spirits, man began to look within.

This can be visualized simply as a line pointing up from the person in question, who made this change. Previous to this age their hopes, prayers, and seeking was directed outward, to the heavens. As this turning took place, the line inverted. Now they looked for the truth, for the answers to their most desperate question, within. Rather than begging the gods for favors to end their suffering, they turned to the root causes within. And, as they made this transition they found the answer and shown as bright points of the possibility of a life without suffering.

But, look what happened to their neighbors. That same line of inquiry was distracted from the heavens, and instead now pointed at these shining examples. That is where the turning stopped. Instead of looking to the Heavens, man now looked to man in desperation for a way off of the seemingly endless track of suffering.

In order to find the answers that these shining examples gave, we must not stop with them. We must not be satisfied with living as they did. The turning must be completed if we are to receive the full gifts they offer.

Behold, O monks, this is my last advice to you. All component things in the world are changeable. They are not lasting. Work hard to gain your own salvation. - Buddha

With the Buddha’s words in mind, I humbly make this suggestion: Do not be satisfied with another’s success on this quest. Do not take comfort in their end of suffering. Look to you own truth first and see what they saw as they saw it.

Sponsor Ads

• Ad Space Available - Rent it Now!

Report this Page

Created on Dec 31st 1969 18:00. Viewed 0 times.

Share on APSense

Comments