The World is Not Senseless

Life has a meaning...

I have written previously about the importance of travel, what it teaches us, and how it can change how we look at our fellow man. Recently, during a trip to Córdoba, I had one such moment…my gestalt moment.

A Consistent Theme

There seems to be a consistent theme when you visit Córdaba. I am not sure if this is something the Department of Tourism has promoted, or if it grew organically. Our free walking tour guide mentioned it several times during our two-hour tour. During our night visit to the Mesquita-Cathedral de Córdaba, the theme was repeated. We heard it again via the audio accompanying our Torre de Calahorra visit. There is great pride in the fact that there was a time in Córdaba’s history when omnism, an acceptance of the legitimacy of all religions, reigned. The fact that such tolerance existed in the 13th Century, I found remarkable.

Note the crosses on the light fixtures.

Alfonso X of Castile

Alfonso X was the first son of King Ferdinand III of Castile, the guy responsible for much of the land grab in Spain and eventually the reconquest of Córdoba. And while Alfonso X (like his father) was a Christian, he invited Muslims, Jews, and Christians to take prominent roles in his court. His passion for learning included the translation of religious texts (both Arabic and Hebrew) into Castilian, the primary language of higher education, science, and law.

Of course, his passion for learning did not interrupt his imperialistic pursuits. The year after his father’s death, he invaded Portugal…capturing the Algarve. But years later, and following an arranged marriage, he returned the land to Portugal. So I guess you can say, he was a complicated guy.

My gestalt spot.

Those Gestalt Moments

So what does any of this have to do with my gestalt moment and the title of this post? It was the second day of our trip. We visited the Torre de Calahorra, paying a modest fee to receive a personal audio system for our self-directed tour. I stood in the spot above and pressed play, half listening as I was jostled by other guests. I heard words that seemed to touch my soul. Unsure, of exactly what I heard I hit rewind. Again the narrator said, “The world is not senseless…life has a meaning.”

Frankly, many times in my life I had wondered if this was true. As a child, I sought answers in a Christian youth group. This led to a naive belief system that led me to the study of religion and philosophy because I thought I was called to the ministry. After two years of study, I asked my pastor if I could still be a minister if I no longer believed that Jesus was the only ticket to eternal life … frankly, I wasn’t a big believer in “eternal life” either … I was told to find another career.

Over the last 50 years, I have often thought deep thoughts but rarely voiced them. It is often easier to consume oneself with the chores of daily life than to try to figure out the many paradoxes of life.¹ When someone you love dies at too young an age…when a friend hears the “c”-word…when terrible things happen to good people…it shakes one to their core. It has caused me to wonder, is the world senseless? What does this all mean?

And, please don’t understand … I have not figured it out!

But somehow I found comfort in the admonition I heard that day. At that moment, it was as simple as an acceptance of the legitimacy of varying belief systems. Though never fully achieved, it is something to strive for.

Até à próxima semana, tchau

Nanc

1. And it is even harder when some blithely honor an“Orange Jesus” with their adoration and support.