Is Gossip Harmless? Criticism? What Exactly Does It DO To Us, Spiritually?
"When we slander somebody, when we gossip, we make these lips an instrument of demonic activity." --Father Spyridon
It’s never too late to start, for any of us.
This sin is “low hanging fruit,” ie both easy to commit (very common, garden variety) and also (the good news) easy to repent and stop. Or start stopping.
Cut back, more and more.
I really like listening to Father Spyridon, and his flocks of sheep, and birds, who often chime in.
I was the worst. I took out all my frustrations with corporate America on those who hurt me in the office. Piss me off, and watch out. I did eventually reap enough karma myself to get a life and stop being like that. Geez. What messes I caused...
I appreciate Father Spyridon's mini sermons. I've listened to several myself in the past. There is wisdom in this sermon, certainly. But part of me struggles greatly to understand how we can form culture, and community, without "judging," on some level. How are we to differentiate ourselves from others, and from evil itself, if we do not judge. I understand the Christian wisdom in not overreacting to perceived evil, and to "judge the sin, not the sinner." Yes, there is wisdom there, be it from a Christian, or something like a Buddhist perspective. However, isn't difficult, if not impossible, in our modern western political world, not to judge, not to attempt to build community based on our perceptions of what is occurring in the world? Yes, if you lie a completely aesthetic life, such as one in a monastery, this may be possible. But is it possible if you have friends and a spouse? I don't mean "gossip," I just mean making simple value judgements. How do others feel about what I am saying here?