Sometimes religions can be very dumb. It is the case of my religion – The Catholic Church. In Brazil, we had this case of a young girl who got pregnant and the priest said – no abortion. Why? Because the canons of the Church – without considering the circumstances – denies abortion. So, I would like to know from you when we need to break the rules. Also, if you could elaborate and give me a list of the times when you broke the rules, I would appreciate.
I think the rules can make easy the path for us…they r just limits that we need to respect to live in armony with others…even though, sometimes this rules should be flexible, as the life is…is not just black and white, what about the blue or purple?? or green with red points??
I borke the rules when i feel that i can or i have to, dificult to explain…but always always I have to be sure that doing it, Im not going to affect other person…My fredom has just one limit and that limit is whenin he sam place were i can touch the others freedom.
Sometimes breaking rules is the only option for survival. And by that I mean, spiritually. In order for my Soul to have reconnected with itself and to live the life I am truly to live and be the person I am in my self, I ‘had’ to break rules.
To me, the question is not for or against rules but ‘Am I being true to myself?’ In a country that is so vast and deep in its ancient truths, and now so lost and repressed and much too caught up in the outside world, and in the country where women were once revered and worshiped, but not anymore free to feel and experience herself at all levels, I had to as a young women break rules not for the pride of it, but for my soul’s deep need for things that are not acceptable. A woman’s spirituality and sexuality are not seen for the truth they hold, not even considered important, and as long as she does what is expected the society was fine with her. But, in order to satiate my soul’s need for Silence, meditation, love, intimacy, travel, for going toward that which was calling me, I had to, chose at every step to listen to my own self, and by that if rules were broken, well, they were then simply laid on the wrong paths.
The choices were ‘be true to myself’ or ‘follow rules and be a lie to myself’. And I chose myself and my Truth.
Love
Keerthana
I agree with what you are saying.
I did a video the other day. It was a big achievement for me, meaning that I had pushed the envelope further. I went to the shop and I find myself crying thinking about what I had said. I then realised it was coming from my inner self and that I was being true to myself. It was a turning point.
I cried for the past, the present and the future for all the guilt and abuse the little innocent child has to endure through a lack of education and immaturity from their parents and others and how it get transferred from one generation to another when this could easily be changed by reforming our system of education.
The “Big depression” will lift if we are given less pills.
Because when there is “depression” part of your soul dies.
I understand exactly what you mean. I broke rules for the same reason. And i belong to the same country.
Love,
Sheryl
I am 60 years old now…half my life ago I became an adult Christian convert so my ‘Life rules’ were mostly set. Since I had questioned even the existence of God,I see no reason not to continue searching for the meaning of the intent of Jesus,a great rule breaker himself. Love the Lord THY God…Love one another…simple. We need a framework,sometimes variable nation to nation,to live by but we always need to question whether that frame work is Good?
A simple breaking of ‘rules’ goes on in UK courts every day when Christians ’swear an oath’ to tell the truth…I,on three occasions,would only give an Affirmation (because I AM A Christian) according to the teachings of James…’let your yes be yes, your no be no’…
I asked a friend this question and his answer was…Jesus was saying to him…’Think about the way you act,choose’…the secular Church too often says ‘Let us think for you’!
Peace and Love to you all…Sue
Rodney King…”Absolutes are for machines and vengeful Gods. What we sometimes call common sense — not going by the book, whether that be the law or the Bible — might be how we survive. But being an ever-changing thing, it’s hard to define. It is learnt, I imagine, by living together, improvising, and innovating, not from a rulebook…”
Rules often protect us and it seems that human beeings need rules to live together. I am a Protestant and I try to live under my personal religious rules. In my opinion God is abused too much in history to justify personal ambitions. George Bush used God the same way like Saddam Hussein!
I take a critical stance towards church and religions. God is everywhere, in everyone of us, in every stone, in every moment of time and we do not need a church.
I am a mother of two wonderful son’s and I was asked by one of them to give them a rule for living their life’s. I wanted to keep it as simple as possible and so I only said: “Be simply a good soul and try to live your life in the best way. Try to hurt nobody else, but keep watching yourself.”
God is love.
I agree wholeheartedly with you,Asja…except,for me,there is a valid place for ‘Church’…as it seems for you?
You may be interested in what I overheard a tour guide tell in the Alhambra,Granada…speaking of a fountain given by the Jewish community to their Islamic ‘rulers’…there was no problem for the Moors as they,by the Creed of their Faith, welcomed ‘Men of A Book’…if this was true centuries ago,how can it not be true now?
Yes,God is Love…to each person in their own way xx
whatever rules comes in the way of love, life and happiness and if it obstacle the way, it is to be broken.
Thank you,I agree,Sajeer,with one exception…the ‘pursuit of happiness’ for many,can be another peoples horror? Perhaps the pursuit of Peace ,a whatever cost ,should have a higher place?
Breaking the rules can have its exceptions when the circumstances are different.
In Denmark we have a story telling about diffenrtent cultures way of thinking , “when does life begin?”
the catholicchurch says it is when the spernm and the egg are meeting.
The protestant church says it is when the child is born.
Many adult here say
“life for us is starting when the dog is dead, and the children has mooved away from our family-house”
why it is said :the dog is dead ?what’s the mean ?can you tell ?thanks ,i feel so curious .
when the greater good dictates it
we should consider the better consequence
even at the cost of breaking the rule
and causing a slight dissent
in a limited space
called chance
I broke the rules, legal ones, when I decided that my daughter wouldn”t become a victim, when she decided at 14 years, she wanted to live with her dad, my ex husband. Instead of being torn between my ex-husband and me, and the legal system in the middle…I privately went to see the 1st assistant of the judge, explained everything, and asked how I could “give” her simply to my ex, to live with him, without the whole circus around. Without lawyers trying to get money out of our situation. It cleared the air, the situation was resolved, in a human way, without interference. And when the judge saw all of us, smiled and signed the “transfer” simply, so that she could change house/ schools legally etc…. It was one of the smartest things I ever did. And everybody was happy with it.
We break the rules when they no longer make sense to us.
Who are these people anyhow telling us what we must do or not with our bodies? and whether we must use condoms or not? What experiences are they basing themselves on to know what is good or bad for us?
I have never heard anything more stupid than Pope Benedict and his rethorics on Aids. We are living in the 21st century not the dark ages.I like to have a peep into their way of living,,,,
First, I think rules do us more good than bad. We mostly accept the rules that are convenient to us, but when the rules contradict our interests, we weigh our options then break the rules if we think we can get away with it.
We should examine convenient conventionality before we get to breaking rules.
Dear Rossana,
Sorry I forgot to offer yo an alternative to express your feelings and experiences of the past 5 years… How about JOY? ;)
Love, Paul
Dear Rossana,
It was my pleasure to meet you.
I think that “Happiness”, as Paulo also has said in his quotations and books, can imply that we are content… and this is something which neither Paulo or I, can possibly be happy with… to be content, is to be without further need… or desire…
I do hope this helps, take care
Love, Paul
Dear Paul from Austria,
(by the way, it was nice to meet you at the party in Paris), when I read your line saying that “the word happiness is an illusion” I got quite astonished.
Maybe I did not get it exactly the way you meant it. Can you tell me more, please?
In my life, after 34 years of confusion, I finally experience a deep and full joy, and a glorious happiness: it took time to learn how to let it flow, but these last 5 years of my life – in spite of all the crazy things that happened along the way – cannot be described in a different way – HAPPINESS.
So please let me know what you meant, if you don’t mind: I would love discussing this topic with you.
Thanks for sharing and have you all a wonderful day and a bright start of the week !!
Love,
Rossana Curri
Querido Paulo,
Na minha humilde opinião as regras que devem ser seguidas são as do nosso coração. Eu tb fui criada na religião da Igreja catolica, meus pais são catolicos praticantes, e vão à missa todas as semanas. Em teoria não indo à missa todas as semanas estou quebrando as regras para a Igreja, mas não para mim… Estar em contato com Deus não requer necessariamente ir a Igreja, ha pessoas que vão toda semana e passam a semana inteira reclamando da vida…
Eu creio na Igreja Catolica, mas hoje tenho uma religião que não me liga exclusivamente à ela, ja que creio nas outras religiões tb e pra mim todas as religiões formam Um So Deus.
MARG,
Ca
dear paulo,
this post is very thoughtful. i often thought about dogma in religion, i don’t know whether is it good to follow or just break it? because dogma (by my self) is human perception about the holy bible we used to read and we live into it. there is no wrong about these perception. but the perception had no right if it is to be religion’s law and ideology. the rules you asked about is the religion’s ideology. it is dogma. we have the right to follow or to break it.
i agree with santosh kalwar, the important thing is we have to follow our heart, our inner voice (as you wrote in your all books :)) everything we do is for good and happens for good, too.
To perhaps reach a larger audience, I repeat my comment to SefeR here…
Dear Sefer Jan,
I think the world, or rather in particular, the world’s human population is always in a crisis/chance situation and as Paulo and you here, have so rightfully implied… the word happiness is an illusion…
I believe the way out of (sorry to simplify this in a nutshell due to my lack of time) this present “man made” visualization of a “crisis” is to…
- stop living in the past
- start living in the present
- and start “building” for the future…
… of our chirldren… and our chidren’s children…
Love, especially to our children and their future habitat, Paul ♡
Dear Paulo,
Rules are intended to keep order, to maintain control, and to keep the unwise from choosing poorly. Rules/laws have a place in society; they are needed because many would choose unwisely.
Ah, religions! Did you ever notice that all religions claim to be the ‘one’ true religion? Religion attempts to control humanity much more so than government. The best they have to offer are their beautiful stories which can inspire one to be always loving, unselfish, honest, virtuous etc.
I enjoy learning about all religions because they have truth and beauty in them, but they go astray in their judgments, condemnations, inflexibility and oftentimes absurd rules.
Would Jesus or Buddha or Mohamed ever ask an innocent child to bear such an injustice? I think not. A child who has not even reached the age of reason would never be held to any law such as the anti-abortion law. It’s insane, ungodly, and the hilt of self-righteousness.
Thank you,
Diane
Dear all,
Q)When do you need to break the rules ?
A)We need to break the rules whenever, wherever and by whatever means and medium. No rule is the best rule but at the same time with rules, we are controlled and monitor or are governed into specific path. Whatever be, most of the problems nowadays, are just because the creators of the rules are destroyers. How can you trust someone who has no ability to take control of his own actions? How can you trust those institutions which are build up with the pillars of unjustice, wrong doings and proper policies.
In summary,
-Do what you feel good, and no rule is the best rule.
-Based on individual differences, there will be differences thoughts and idealogies which should be tracked down if followed the common rules of the game.
-To trust on some rules, we need to trust those who are creators of the rule above law.
-Well, if you believe in God, Nature and Religion then you must follow their rules but if you are the creator yourself, you are bound to disobey those rules.
-Sort and simple, follow your heart and listen to your inner voice, everything you do is for good and happens for good. MOVE ON…
God bless you all !
In the second point I was wrong – the church does not accept an abortion when the child will be severely handicapped.
rules exist so that men may have a reason to stop listening to their hearts.
THE RULES ARE FOR US TO HAVE WAYS TO GO ON – BUT NEVER WITH A SPECULATIVE MIND OR DOING. THE PROCESS OF HUMAN LIFE ARE ALWAYS HOLY AND RIGTH – BUT IN VERY SPECIALLY CASE AS THIS , YOU MUST CARE FOR HUMANS BEST TO STILL BE ALIVE WITH HUMANITY AND RESPECT . NOT ONLY RULES CAN BE GIVEN – THE PERSON MUST BEE TAKEN SERIOUSLY , AS SHE CAN . IN SUCH A CASE AS THIS , THE MAN / BOY , ARE STILL OUT OF QUESTIONS FOR HIS BEHAVIOR . . . WATHS IT ALL ABOUT THEN ???
The other thing is to own up to your mistakes…
Lewis Carol wrote through the Looking Glass
Sorry.
Hi Xazp,
Thank you for considering my questions and for your answers.
Dear Pandora,
I like that quote from Alice….
After a week and more than 200 different posts read, I still believe that only rule to obey is LOVE as it has all within itself : ethics, moral, justice…and life !
Love to you all,
Luce
We need break the rules, when they go against the common sense and well-being.
There are no definitive doctrines, no absolute truths. Every rule has an exception… So cliche, but so true.
We must distinguish between “codification of beliefs” and “real life”, we must respect other people’s beliefs and choices.
Thank you, Paulo.
Dear Paul from Austria,
also the catholic church accepts an abortion under these circumstances. I am sure, because I once was personal concerned and so I occupied with this theme.
Thank you Pandora, you are so human. I love you.
LOVE,
Thelma
`Speak when you’re spoken to!’ The Queen sharply interrupted her.
`But if everybody obeyed that rule,’ said Alice, who was always ready for a little argument, `and if you only spoke when you were spoken to, and the other person always waited for you to begin, you see nobody would ever say anything, so that — ‘
`Ridiculous!’ cried the Queen. (Alice through the Looking Glass : C S Lewis).
I think the most important Rule to break, is Silence in the face of adversity;
It is speaking out, making things known, not just accepting what is told, and that is what moves society forward.
I always dreamt of flying as a child, so when I was about 7, I thought why not give it a go….. so I leapt off of the top of the pommel horse so I got set to dive, and of course dive I did. I fell like a lead weight onto the gym mat, but at least I tried, and at least I learned the difference between a true law and a manmade rule..
I also had a dream last Sunday about a woman who lost a child at four months pregnancy, it was very vivid, and I felt incredibly grief-struck as a result. (It was Mothers Day).
Then this question, I have wondered its meaning and timing all week, and I at the moment conclude, that life and love are the most important things on this earth, but a life without love, is not a life and a love without life is either a hope, a memory, or a dream to be realised … perhaps all three.
So to conclude, rules have to change, or be broken because humans have hearts which are not made or set in stone, but flesh which beats incessantly the sweet rhythm of life
But not, unfortunately, the Catholic church Monika…
Although do not take part in internet based dating platforms intentionally… ;) due to my attempt to gain more experience of, and delve a little deeper little into Paulo Coelho’s social networks, I have found these mandatory signup details to be more than somewhat restricting… and due to this “I do break the rules!”
So Lynne, I do resonate with you, and I found it far more exciting to interact on a live basis with other like souls at Paulo’s St Joseph’s Day party on March 19th in Paris, than to chat to pseudonyms in a world of virtual reality…
Thanks for your thought provoking comments, Love, Paul
There are no rules, everything needs to be dealt with individually and holistically. Everyone must learn to be true to themselves and to be allowed to act on this. Keeping in mind at all times the effect we or our actions might have on those around us. Awareness is the key, integrating all that we know into the decisions we make. xx
Lynne,
I do not think breaking your own rules is positive. If your rules were not good in the first place and you are changing and developing, then it is acceptable.
But when you are breaking, realy breaking, your own rules then lot of doubts, pain and suffering follows, because rules are yours, not imposed from society, religion, politics or others.
Breaking your own rules means there is mistake either in rules or in your actions, and origin of both is YOU.
Love
Luce
Lynne,
I do not think breaking your own rules is positive. If your rules were not good in the first place and you are changing and developing, then it is acceptabale.
But when you are breaking, realy breaking, your own rules then lot of doubts, pain and suffering follows, because rules are yours, not imposed from society, religion, politics or others.
Breaking your own rules means there is mistake either in rules or in your actions, and origin of both is YOU.
Love
Luce
Borrowing from Santosh.:)..here is the song for the day:
Ebony and Ivory – Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder
hhtp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZtiN6yik
“Ebony and ivory live together in perfect harmony, side by side on my piano keyboard why don’t we?”
Love and peace