Heal Thy Enemy
Zarathushtra's doctrine of Frasho-Kereti has been called by many a name, including Perfection, Renovation, Rehabilitation and Healing. Similarly, the Christian doctrine of Love has been referred to in numerous ways and through various metaphors, including loving thy neighbor, and enemy.
In an unbiased universal logical approach, the circularity of most arguments becomes apparent, since the end point is invariably dependant upon the starting point as well as the route taken. Through the same mechanism, we can argue that Love will inevitably lead to Healing as one of its byproducts. But we can also say that Healing, once elevated to a true and authentic level, will have Love as one of its prerequisites.
The point is not to argue about which is more important or superior. We simply cannot resolve this question, just like we cannot resolve whether the egg pre-dates the chicken.
In a more holistic and universal approach, we need to recognize the interconnectedness and inter-relationship of all of life, including all of its aspects. Therefore, this brief article should not be considered as an analytical approach to dissecting Love versus Healing.
Instead, the following table should act as a guiding map to pondering and meditating upon the various aspects of these two approaches. By no means is this table conclusive or comprehensive. It is merely a snapshot from one perspective.
Love Thy Enemy
Frasho-Kereti
(Healing the world)
Operating Level
Love / Heart
Self-Purification
Synergistic
Responsible for
Relationship to Other
Interdependent
Self-Satisfaction
Pitfalls
Self-Righteousness
Reconciliation / Peace
Connection / Fulfillment
Final Outcome
Everything works out for everyone.
Everything works out for everyone sooner.
Hopefully meditating upon these points will bring into light the importance of the various aspects of these approaches, and ultimately show the relationship between the two - not so much as steps along the path to a certain end, but as legs upon which we must stand, to fulfill our humanity.
Ó Shahriar Shahriari
Printed in the FEZANA Journal, Fall 2001 issue
This page was last updated on Friday, March 15, 2002.