From New Seeds of Contemplation by Thomas Merton.
Contemplation is always beyond our own knowledge, beyond our own light, beyond systems, beyond explanations, beyond discourse, beyond dialogue, beyond our own self. To enter into the realm of contemplation one must in a certain sense die: but this death is in fact the entrance into a higher life. It is a death for the sake of life, which leaves behind all that we can know or treasure as life, as thought, as experience, as joy, as being.
When we leave things behind...it is everything. It is that driving ego that must prove itself to be the ego that it is. It is that "sorry me" that yearns for pity and attention and is thus unable to be alone and see the beauty of the world as it shows up for our amazement. It is beginning fresh...with new eyes...without having to clarify, justify...ready to move into the moment at hand with wide eyes even when our eyes are shut...with that incredible openness that allows us to enter into the day as though we are being reborn. The rebirth is really, as Merton notes, a dying. I think we catch glimpses of this place and have our moments there. And yet, they are not planned - for when we take on the task of planning we take on the chore of controlling so that our plans may be met. Contemplation seems to be the opening that occurs as though we have opened a "treasure" that is both amazing and befuddling.
Connection: Some times I wonder if moments of contemplation are opening up all the time. We just never take the time to notice the awe filled space and enter it.
Come, Holy Spirit. Come and open our eyes to the wonder of life so we may experience the joy that comes from being taken up into the fullness of your Reign even as it comes in the fleeting moments of this day. Amen.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Monday 14 April 2008
Today we will be switching to a new resource for our daily devotion. Years ago I was introduced to this work but really wasn't ready to listen. After spending time reading Thomas Merton write about the work of Gandhi, I thought we would turn to something Merton wrote in the early 1960s: New Seeds of Contemplation.
Contemplation is the highest expression of (one's) intellectual and spiritual life. It is that life itself, fully awake, fully active, fully aware that it is alive. It is spiritual wonder. It is a spontaneous awe at the sacredness of life, of being. It is gratitude for life, for awareness and for being. It is a vivid realization of the fact that life and being in us proceed from an invisible, transcendent and infinitely abundant Source.
Sometimes the only way we hear about contemplation is from someone who appears to be disconnected from others. Merton may have lived for years in a monastery, but he was never disconnected. Rather, there is complete engagement in the sense that life is ripe with the presence of more than we can catch in a glimpse or try to master with a degree. What I am really appreciating in these few opening lines of this book is that importance of being fully aware of one' status of being alive and aware of the life of all that is around us. There is a notion of respect here. I am not merely an observer...I don't merely comment on life...instead, I am present within my life as though each part is sacred and therefore worthy of my notice, engagement, and wonder. I have often found it odd that there are people who talk about contemplation but are not very willing to spend time within the utter awareness and awe of what is around them every day. Rather, they choose to be separate. Contemplation seems to be part of the journey we enter as we find more and more delight in the fullness of life around us even when we are observing that which is painful. For even then, we are facing the fullness of what the day has to offer...and it is good.
Connection: It is a good practice to simply look at another person - especially someone not like me at all - and wonder about what it is to be the other. That may be a daily journey we take often and one that finds us able to appreciate the other...without judging.
You have placed us within rich surroundings, O God. It is in the face of those around us that we are drawn into the life of the day. It is in the watchfulness of the most simple movements of life around us that we again find that there is more to life than what we have planned to make of it. Thanks be to you, O God. Amen.
Contemplation is the highest expression of (one's) intellectual and spiritual life. It is that life itself, fully awake, fully active, fully aware that it is alive. It is spiritual wonder. It is a spontaneous awe at the sacredness of life, of being. It is gratitude for life, for awareness and for being. It is a vivid realization of the fact that life and being in us proceed from an invisible, transcendent and infinitely abundant Source.
Sometimes the only way we hear about contemplation is from someone who appears to be disconnected from others. Merton may have lived for years in a monastery, but he was never disconnected. Rather, there is complete engagement in the sense that life is ripe with the presence of more than we can catch in a glimpse or try to master with a degree. What I am really appreciating in these few opening lines of this book is that importance of being fully aware of one' status of being alive and aware of the life of all that is around us. There is a notion of respect here. I am not merely an observer...I don't merely comment on life...instead, I am present within my life as though each part is sacred and therefore worthy of my notice, engagement, and wonder. I have often found it odd that there are people who talk about contemplation but are not very willing to spend time within the utter awareness and awe of what is around them every day. Rather, they choose to be separate. Contemplation seems to be part of the journey we enter as we find more and more delight in the fullness of life around us even when we are observing that which is painful. For even then, we are facing the fullness of what the day has to offer...and it is good.
Connection: It is a good practice to simply look at another person - especially someone not like me at all - and wonder about what it is to be the other. That may be a daily journey we take often and one that finds us able to appreciate the other...without judging.
You have placed us within rich surroundings, O God. It is in the face of those around us that we are drawn into the life of the day. It is in the watchfulness of the most simple movements of life around us that we again find that there is more to life than what we have planned to make of it. Thanks be to you, O God. Amen.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Friday 11 April 2008
Here is another reality check in regard to the practice of non-violence.
The virtues of mercy, non-violence, love and truth in any (person) can be truly tested only when they are pitted against ruthlessness, violence, hate and untruth.
In other words, it all must be alive among us out in the everyday world in which we find ourselves. Non-violence cannot be a subject we simply study. We must be the subjects of non-violent action even as the day does not want to tolerate non-violence. Remember that this does not mean we sit back and do nothing. Quite the contrary. We are invited to speak up and act so that the powers of the day that can be ruthless, violent, hate filled, and false will have to be heard alongside the voices that press for non-violence, patience, reconciliation, truthfulness, and love. I am constantly reminded of how easy it is to slip and stumble in the face of the powers of this world. I don't know how it happens with you, but with me it is often in the midst of my silence...a silence that is often ruled by fear. Tough to overcome...but how does the song go, We shall overcome.
Connection: Maybe we need good songs to set us along the way through the events of this day. Songs that remind us of whose we are and how we are in relation to others.
Come, sing your song of deliverance, O God, and pull us out of our fear into the great adventure of faithfulness that builds communities of hope and justice and peace. Amen.
Thursday 10 April 2008
After watching a special called "King" on the history channel, I thought this piece from Gandhi helps to bring a bit of hope.
Non-violence will prevail - whatever (a person) may or may not do... It will have its way and overcome all obstacles irrespective of the shortcomings of the instrument.
There were so many things that came to be from the non-violent actions and organizing of Gandhi and King. But...do they last? Many would say no. We seem to tumble back into the patterns of our disrespect and hatred of others...and our love only for our own ways. With that being the case, it is essential that we look at what non-violence brings to life beyond this moment. We look back to a Gandhi and a King and a Jesus of Nazareth because their journeys were non-violent in such a way that they would not have considered another way of life. And yet, these were only a few people in.....many and many years. Their actions inspire others. We must be able to see that this vision of non-violence is rooted in real life. It comes to be all around us as it becomes our breath. Yes, like me, many of you may be to much of a coward to let non-violence be our path. And yet, this path of non-violence in all parts of our lives will show forth its power. It may not be in the way we would plan it to go, but it will leave its mark and...in time, it will be the life of our humanity at its best.
Connection: Let's not focus on our shortcomings. Let's look out to our possibilities.
When you deliver your people from the mess of our world, O God, you show us the way of your Reign. There in the midst of trusting you we are changed and begin to see a new direction and a new purpose and a new dimension to our humanity. Bless us with the vision that keeps your peaceable Reign before us. Amen.
Non-violence will prevail - whatever (a person) may or may not do... It will have its way and overcome all obstacles irrespective of the shortcomings of the instrument.
There were so many things that came to be from the non-violent actions and organizing of Gandhi and King. But...do they last? Many would say no. We seem to tumble back into the patterns of our disrespect and hatred of others...and our love only for our own ways. With that being the case, it is essential that we look at what non-violence brings to life beyond this moment. We look back to a Gandhi and a King and a Jesus of Nazareth because their journeys were non-violent in such a way that they would not have considered another way of life. And yet, these were only a few people in.....many and many years. Their actions inspire others. We must be able to see that this vision of non-violence is rooted in real life. It comes to be all around us as it becomes our breath. Yes, like me, many of you may be to much of a coward to let non-violence be our path. And yet, this path of non-violence in all parts of our lives will show forth its power. It may not be in the way we would plan it to go, but it will leave its mark and...in time, it will be the life of our humanity at its best.
Connection: Let's not focus on our shortcomings. Let's look out to our possibilities.
When you deliver your people from the mess of our world, O God, you show us the way of your Reign. There in the midst of trusting you we are changed and begin to see a new direction and a new purpose and a new dimension to our humanity. Bless us with the vision that keeps your peaceable Reign before us. Amen.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Wednesday 9 April 2008
Again, I'm drawn more toward the connections between being a follower of Jesus and these words by Gandhi on satyagraha (soul-force).
The art of dying for a satyagrahi consists in facing death cheerfully in the performance of one's duty.
When we press for the truth the truth may be that which we cannot bear. It may be the death of us. At least the death of that which we have been trying to keep alive over against the truth. This dying is the life of the one who presses for truth. Sounds odd...but it is much like the dying and rising that we talk about in baptism. Again and again, we are face to face with the truth of God's Reign among us and that means that our way we have worked so hard to create and defend must be put to death. This is important in this life because it is here as we are willing to die that we begin to see more than one way. When all we can see is one way, it usually spells the death of all of us. We die to self...to that turned-in-on-self. We then are able to seriously face the truth of life as it needs to be so that the welfare of all becomes part of our breath - our life - our vision. What is important for us as we go along this way is that all sides must accept the art of dying. In the creation of something new, there is the miracle of dialogue that takes some not all of each side - even when we think our side is closer to the truth than the other. We press for the truth...that is our duty. We press on within the peaceable Reign of our God.
Connection: Pressing on is not the easiest part of life....and yet...it is our life.
Come, Holy Peace Maker, and lift us up out of our ways that can be so stuck on ourselves that we are unable to see how we limit the truth and thus fall for something less than the good news of your Reign. Make you peace our way and in that way let truth reside with us. Amen.
The art of dying for a satyagrahi consists in facing death cheerfully in the performance of one's duty.
When we press for the truth the truth may be that which we cannot bear. It may be the death of us. At least the death of that which we have been trying to keep alive over against the truth. This dying is the life of the one who presses for truth. Sounds odd...but it is much like the dying and rising that we talk about in baptism. Again and again, we are face to face with the truth of God's Reign among us and that means that our way we have worked so hard to create and defend must be put to death. This is important in this life because it is here as we are willing to die that we begin to see more than one way. When all we can see is one way, it usually spells the death of all of us. We die to self...to that turned-in-on-self. We then are able to seriously face the truth of life as it needs to be so that the welfare of all becomes part of our breath - our life - our vision. What is important for us as we go along this way is that all sides must accept the art of dying. In the creation of something new, there is the miracle of dialogue that takes some not all of each side - even when we think our side is closer to the truth than the other. We press for the truth...that is our duty. We press on within the peaceable Reign of our God.
Connection: Pressing on is not the easiest part of life....and yet...it is our life.
Come, Holy Peace Maker, and lift us up out of our ways that can be so stuck on ourselves that we are unable to see how we limit the truth and thus fall for something less than the good news of your Reign. Make you peace our way and in that way let truth reside with us. Amen.
Tuesday 8 April 2008
Again some simple words about soul force - Gandhi.
The root of satyagraha (soul force) is prayer. A satyagrahi relies upon God for protection against the tyranny of brute force.
When the world around us is so set on the many ways of violence, the one voice we can turn to where we will hear the encouragement of non-violence is our God. This is as simple as the act of prayer. In prayer (and there are many ways to pray) we begin by listening. Unfortunately, we are so accustomed to listening to the voices of the world around us, it is not easy to choose to listen to the voice of truth. We are always called to listen to the voice of that which will not end...that which does not side against others...but rather presses for the welfare of all. Truth is often a harsh word to hear because it is so often contrary to what we want to hear! In prayer, we give ourselves the opportunity to look again at the shape of the path we walk and to take note as whether it is the way of truthfulness...or a bypass of that way. It may take others to help us discern the way we are going. Our prayers demand that we listen so that we can hear the difference between what becomes the brute force of any tyranny and the unbending way of truth that will not follow any sort of tyranny.
Connection: Sometimes prayer may begin with the acknowledgement of the voices of tyranny that attempt to run our own lives. As we identify those voices, we also begin to hear the voice of truth whispering a word of encouragement to us.
When we are confused and attempting to build our world as we would like it, O God, be the voice of truth that awakens us from sleep and empowers us to press on for the truth. It is so easy to settle on the voices of the world that meet our immediate needs and yet it is vital to our lives to hear the voice of your Reign. Amen.
The root of satyagraha (soul force) is prayer. A satyagrahi relies upon God for protection against the tyranny of brute force.
When the world around us is so set on the many ways of violence, the one voice we can turn to where we will hear the encouragement of non-violence is our God. This is as simple as the act of prayer. In prayer (and there are many ways to pray) we begin by listening. Unfortunately, we are so accustomed to listening to the voices of the world around us, it is not easy to choose to listen to the voice of truth. We are always called to listen to the voice of that which will not end...that which does not side against others...but rather presses for the welfare of all. Truth is often a harsh word to hear because it is so often contrary to what we want to hear! In prayer, we give ourselves the opportunity to look again at the shape of the path we walk and to take note as whether it is the way of truthfulness...or a bypass of that way. It may take others to help us discern the way we are going. Our prayers demand that we listen so that we can hear the difference between what becomes the brute force of any tyranny and the unbending way of truth that will not follow any sort of tyranny.
Connection: Sometimes prayer may begin with the acknowledgement of the voices of tyranny that attempt to run our own lives. As we identify those voices, we also begin to hear the voice of truth whispering a word of encouragement to us.
When we are confused and attempting to build our world as we would like it, O God, be the voice of truth that awakens us from sleep and empowers us to press on for the truth. It is so easy to settle on the voices of the world that meet our immediate needs and yet it is vital to our lives to hear the voice of your Reign. Amen.
Monday 7 April 2008
Before I sat down to write, I was going to leave the work of Gandhi for another source of reflection. Then I realized I need more of this encouragement in non-violence.
Satyagraha (soul force) is always superior to armed resistance. This can only be effectively proved by demonstration, not by argument...satyagraha can never be used to defend a wrong cause.
Since most of us do not arm ourselves in our everyday life - at least not with guns and swords and the like - it does not mean that we do not easily chose to walk without being armed and ready to defend ourselves against others. Soul force presses for the truth. It is not a force that is used to degrade or belittle another. To degrade another is a kind of force much like armed resistance...but with weapons of words and attitudes and actions. When I think of how I walk through the day, I know that I fall short of pressing for truth. Instead, it is much easier to settle for what will bring comfort or ease to me or my kind. To press on with soul force, even my words must reflect the journey of truth - nothing less. I can talk about that forever...or write about it. What really must happen is the action - the life that comes when the force of love daily defeats the power of violence. In the Church we use this kind of language about baptism. The daily dying and rising...the daily living out of a life of love for others...the daily refusal to settle for opportunities to "lord" over any other. But as we all know, baptism can be turned into little more than a magical wave of water that will protect us in the end. When that is the case, it has no real life consequences. That is where we are wrong. Baptism like satyagraha is the life force of the Reign of God - where peace reigns and self-sacrificial love oversees the way life is lived among us. Even with baptism, the life must show and the words can only follow the action.
Connection: The simplicity of the image of water and its abundance throughout the day is an open door to a world of truth, love, and non-violence.
Lord of the Day, you call us into your Reign so that we will live there in the midst of your gracious love. To live there is a daring act for us for we are so often afraid to trust in the power of your peace and grace. Inspire us to act. Amen.
Satyagraha (soul force) is always superior to armed resistance. This can only be effectively proved by demonstration, not by argument...satyagraha can never be used to defend a wrong cause.
Since most of us do not arm ourselves in our everyday life - at least not with guns and swords and the like - it does not mean that we do not easily chose to walk without being armed and ready to defend ourselves against others. Soul force presses for the truth. It is not a force that is used to degrade or belittle another. To degrade another is a kind of force much like armed resistance...but with weapons of words and attitudes and actions. When I think of how I walk through the day, I know that I fall short of pressing for truth. Instead, it is much easier to settle for what will bring comfort or ease to me or my kind. To press on with soul force, even my words must reflect the journey of truth - nothing less. I can talk about that forever...or write about it. What really must happen is the action - the life that comes when the force of love daily defeats the power of violence. In the Church we use this kind of language about baptism. The daily dying and rising...the daily living out of a life of love for others...the daily refusal to settle for opportunities to "lord" over any other. But as we all know, baptism can be turned into little more than a magical wave of water that will protect us in the end. When that is the case, it has no real life consequences. That is where we are wrong. Baptism like satyagraha is the life force of the Reign of God - where peace reigns and self-sacrificial love oversees the way life is lived among us. Even with baptism, the life must show and the words can only follow the action.
Connection: The simplicity of the image of water and its abundance throughout the day is an open door to a world of truth, love, and non-violence.
Lord of the Day, you call us into your Reign so that we will live there in the midst of your gracious love. To live there is a daring act for us for we are so often afraid to trust in the power of your peace and grace. Inspire us to act. Amen.
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