I am re-reading 'The Cloud of Unknowing', a mystical classic from the 14th century, I find it resonates with today's mystics exploring evolutionary theology which speaks of consciousness, wholeness and a God of love beyond knowing.
God isn't what we've made HIM
there's another reality
of which we're but a tiny part
Centering Prayer
I sit before a lighted candle
struggling to clear away my thoughts;
the task seems impossible
I've asked to enter Truth,
reaching for humility and reverence
. . . I must quiet my racing thoughts.
A lifetime of memories rise up.
Tears roll down my cheeks . . .
Twenty minutes? An hour?
_______
Embrace the silence
beyond language and thought
_______
We each journey thru life alone
there is sharing--but never fully;
we long for wholeness.
We are part of a Oneness
my consciousness arises from Consciousness.
I cannot grasp that--yet I believe it.
I sit before a lighted candle
"surrender, let go, let God."
so hard, so very hard!
. . . one day it will be easy.
Monday, February 17, 2014
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Hewing Crosses
A line from my previous post 'The Cross Unseen' states: "countless unknown, crucified with questions hang upon crosses of meaninglessness and alienation". The theme of alienation is prominent in my writing for I regard it as contemporary society's greatest challenge. Although the cross is a Christian symbol, it represents human suffering--and often the suffering it represents is not acknowledged by those not directly effected buy it.
As we advanced from horse and buggy villages to the jet-powered intercontinental world, we unwittingly left God behind; so busy were we with out 'advancing'. Historically different cultures have given what each considers to be God, different names--be it Yahweh, Christ, Allah, The Tao, The Great Spirit, The Buddha, Benevolent Universe . . . but by whatever name, the 'god concept' embodies purpose and the way people are to live.
In our society's progress we have championed individualism, competition and technology. Each of these have played a legitimate role in the nation's development but they have been overstressed; without balancing elements that include a moral code and common goals they have led to a kind of tyranny--emphasis on individualism makes us forget that although we are individuals we are also a part of a society whose proper functioning requires respect and compromise. The emphasis upon competition blinds us to all else but 'winning' while craving trophies that display our success. The advancement of technology has relentlessly taken us away from the human element; we've become narcissistic, myopically intent upon taking care of #1, remote and removed from heartfelt human interaction.
With these developments we have allowed God's prominence to fade from guiding our thoughts and actions so, as our knowledge advances and our horizons expand, we find ourselves alone in an ever more confounding universe without map or compass. . . . thus are we surrounded by a sea of lost and alienated individuals who have heard of, and come to believe in, life's meaninglessness. Without an anchor in moral principles or any meaningful purpose beyond their small selves, life seems absurd . . . so we are plagued with a spectrum of irrational behaviors from senseless mass shootings, to youthful suicides, to self-destructive life choices, to wild rave partying and event riots . . .
each age hews its crosses . . .
As we advanced from horse and buggy villages to the jet-powered intercontinental world, we unwittingly left God behind; so busy were we with out 'advancing'. Historically different cultures have given what each considers to be God, different names--be it Yahweh, Christ, Allah, The Tao, The Great Spirit, The Buddha, Benevolent Universe . . . but by whatever name, the 'god concept' embodies purpose and the way people are to live.
In our society's progress we have championed individualism, competition and technology. Each of these have played a legitimate role in the nation's development but they have been overstressed; without balancing elements that include a moral code and common goals they have led to a kind of tyranny--emphasis on individualism makes us forget that although we are individuals we are also a part of a society whose proper functioning requires respect and compromise. The emphasis upon competition blinds us to all else but 'winning' while craving trophies that display our success. The advancement of technology has relentlessly taken us away from the human element; we've become narcissistic, myopically intent upon taking care of #1, remote and removed from heartfelt human interaction.
With these developments we have allowed God's prominence to fade from guiding our thoughts and actions so, as our knowledge advances and our horizons expand, we find ourselves alone in an ever more confounding universe without map or compass. . . . thus are we surrounded by a sea of lost and alienated individuals who have heard of, and come to believe in, life's meaninglessness. Without an anchor in moral principles or any meaningful purpose beyond their small selves, life seems absurd . . . so we are plagued with a spectrum of irrational behaviors from senseless mass shootings, to youthful suicides, to self-destructive life choices, to wild rave partying and event riots . . .
each age hews its crosses . . .
Sunday, January 19, 2014
The Cross Unseen
In Roman times the cross was a common feature of the landscape, feared, but unremarkable--until history changed our perspective.
As science moved to the forefront of our thinking, God was gradually squeezed out . . . what we failed to notice was that, without God in whose image we are said to be created we lost our place of prominence in the order of things having meaning and direction; without God we are simply one of nature's products--without purpose or goal--expendable.
As science moved to the forefront of our thinking, God was gradually squeezed out . . . what we failed to notice was that, without God in whose image we are said to be created we lost our place of prominence in the order of things having meaning and direction; without God we are simply one of nature's products--without purpose or goal--expendable.
The Cross Unseen
Each age hews its crosses
Knowing not what it is doing.
The present does not judge
itself.
That is the destiny of the
future.
Only distance offers
perspective
While involvement is ever
shortsighted.
We invest our Pilates with
power
And command them to rule us.
They pass judgments forced
upon them
Then wash their hands.
Who then is responsible?
Where lies the greatest
blame?
The web of existence is
infinitely complex
And so great the number of
weavers!
Each mistake undetected, is
on all sides supported,
And multiplies itself a
thousandfold.
Only the magnitude of deicide
Can expose the flaw.
How many be the nameless
Lost in oblivion
Until the Christ is
sacrificed
Upon the cross of that flaw?
And when will He come?
And how will He be known?
Each time He is different--
Yet ever the same beneath the
appearances.
And always He is unknown
(Save to a few)
Until the deed is done
And time gives sight to the
involvement that was.
The slaughter of innocence,
The nameless unknown--
expended--to keep the flaw
hidden
Within the tangled web,
For its detection means
reordering
And the involvement demands
continuous action.
As complexity progresses,
Do not the centers of order
multiply?
Minor centers, radiating
around The Center
Raising a need for many
christs
The One, of the Whole,
Showing the pattern to the
parts?
Each age hews its crosses
Knowing not what it is doing.
Now, the countless unknown,
crucified with questions
Hang upon crosses of
meaninglessness and alienation.
From whence will come the
Christ
Whose sacrifice will
illuminate the flaw?
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
I Worry About the Pope
I worry about the Pope; I think he faces fierce opposition ahead because he is talking about the need for societal change. It is one thing to talk about personal sin because one can excuse the self by pointing to someone who is worse; but when it is suggested that a 'way of being' with which the majority is comfortable, is in need of change, there is an outcry and a banding together to protect against a perceived threat.
I believe generally in the goodness of people but too frequently we are limited by vision which takes in only the narrow bit of reality we occupy. The truly 'Great Men' see beyond that limited vision to concern for the greater good that transcends selfishness. They carry us forward to reach beyond our base human nature and lead us to discover our better selves. But such men are opposed, often violently so--the Lincolns, the Gandhis, the Mandellas . . .
I believe Pope Francis to be such a one; and that is why I worry about him. In his latest encyclical he addresses the challenges of today's world; a call to truly look at the enormous gap between the 'haves and the have nots', the glaring imbalance of opportunity for education, health care, and even daily survival needs. He points to an economic structure that stacks the deck for those who are privileged with unearned favors and excludes those who are not.
These are the issues that cry for our attention; unless we address them our world is not sustainable, but they promise great hardship for those who make us face them. So, while I pray for his safety, I worry about the Pope.
I believe generally in the goodness of people but too frequently we are limited by vision which takes in only the narrow bit of reality we occupy. The truly 'Great Men' see beyond that limited vision to concern for the greater good that transcends selfishness. They carry us forward to reach beyond our base human nature and lead us to discover our better selves. But such men are opposed, often violently so--the Lincolns, the Gandhis, the Mandellas . . .
I believe Pope Francis to be such a one; and that is why I worry about him. In his latest encyclical he addresses the challenges of today's world; a call to truly look at the enormous gap between the 'haves and the have nots', the glaring imbalance of opportunity for education, health care, and even daily survival needs. He points to an economic structure that stacks the deck for those who are privileged with unearned favors and excludes those who are not.
These are the issues that cry for our attention; unless we address them our world is not sustainable, but they promise great hardship for those who make us face them. So, while I pray for his safety, I worry about the Pope.
Friday, December 13, 2013
Goodness Shines
I teared up upon learning that Pope Francis has been named 'Person of the Year' by Time Magazine. Each year they choose from news coverage who had the greatest effect, thereby naming him the 'most influential'. In the choice the quality of the influence is not an issue, just the quantity--yet this year goodness tipped the balance.
Along with other leaders, the Pope's competition also included: the current most evil dictator who has poisoned his own people and destroys his country in order to hold on to his power, the most embarrassingly outrageous exhibitionistic stage performer, the most narcissistic self-appointed 'fixer' who leaked national secrets, and an arrogant freshman congressman who took it upon himself to shut down the government. All of those did indeed exert influence upon 2013 and history will remember them in one way or another, but Time's choice helps me keep faith in the hope that humanity may yet save itself from itself. The world fell in love with this man who stepped forward to accept the mantel of power bestowed upon him with humility and simplicity, eschewing the lavish display of 'superiority' expected of his high position. He described himself as 'a sinner' and asks the people to pray for him. In his first public statements he chose to speak of showing mercy, of not judging the heart of others, and of following the call of Jesus to reach out to the poor and hurting. People and reporters can't get enough of him because he exemplifies the high state of true human dignity to which we are all called but few ever reach. The unprecedented response he received and keeps receiving from people of all ethnic and religious backgrounds makes him the most influential.
The choice of Pope Francis as 'Man of the Year' stands apart from accolades shown another man of goodness and dignity who also has won the hearts of millions, Nelson Mandela. At his death this week there was an outpouring of love and honor given him by nations round the globe from citizens of the lowest rung on the social ladder to the highest dignitaries of state.
The connection I see between these two events is that regardless of the sound and fury of the famous, the outlandish, or the politically powerful, in the final analysis it is those from whom goodness shines who win the hearts of people in the long run. And that gives hope to look beyond the greed, violence, corruption and cynicism so prevalent and know that people still put the highest value on goodness.
Along with other leaders, the Pope's competition also included: the current most evil dictator who has poisoned his own people and destroys his country in order to hold on to his power, the most embarrassingly outrageous exhibitionistic stage performer, the most narcissistic self-appointed 'fixer' who leaked national secrets, and an arrogant freshman congressman who took it upon himself to shut down the government. All of those did indeed exert influence upon 2013 and history will remember them in one way or another, but Time's choice helps me keep faith in the hope that humanity may yet save itself from itself. The world fell in love with this man who stepped forward to accept the mantel of power bestowed upon him with humility and simplicity, eschewing the lavish display of 'superiority' expected of his high position. He described himself as 'a sinner' and asks the people to pray for him. In his first public statements he chose to speak of showing mercy, of not judging the heart of others, and of following the call of Jesus to reach out to the poor and hurting. People and reporters can't get enough of him because he exemplifies the high state of true human dignity to which we are all called but few ever reach. The unprecedented response he received and keeps receiving from people of all ethnic and religious backgrounds makes him the most influential.
The choice of Pope Francis as 'Man of the Year' stands apart from accolades shown another man of goodness and dignity who also has won the hearts of millions, Nelson Mandela. At his death this week there was an outpouring of love and honor given him by nations round the globe from citizens of the lowest rung on the social ladder to the highest dignitaries of state.
The connection I see between these two events is that regardless of the sound and fury of the famous, the outlandish, or the politically powerful, in the final analysis it is those from whom goodness shines who win the hearts of people in the long run. And that gives hope to look beyond the greed, violence, corruption and cynicism so prevalent and know that people still put the highest value on goodness.
Monday, November 18, 2013
More about Where's Momma?
It's a week later and I'm still thinking about kids and parenting. That picture of the little boy hugging the Pope's legs and the Pope gently resting his hand on the child's head has stayed with me--it is beautiful.
Looking back, my post seems stern . . . I do love the tenderness it captures and I expect it to be among the 'pictures of the year' . . . but as the situation occurred, it awoke the 'parent' and the 'Child Development teacher' in me. I want to expand the point I alluded to regarding parental authority--my 'serious thought' for today.
A child is seeing a new world. He or she does not know how it works or what the dangers are, parents are there to provide the security while the child learns to operate within the existing reality. The greatest security a child can have is confidence in the parent's ability to navigate the turmoil of the 'big wild world'; the child's confidence rests in the parent's firm authority . . . they won't always like it, they will challenge it over and over, they will at times vehemently oppose it . . . but if that authority is fair, firm and not dependent upon their (the child's) reaction, it demonstrates to that child, "the person I rely upon is in control, they know what they are doing and I can count on that when I feel threatened." Besides firmness, the other necessary element that allows the child to have faith in that authority and thus provide the security is, of course, love. If the child feels the love--an unconditional love--the result will be respect. Within the circle of: love + reasoned authority = respect + security, the child's free spirit blossoms.
That is my 'teacher' thought; my 'parent' thought follows:
Figure/Ground
I was the central figure
in my life as I lived it --
My hopes and dreams, fears and disappointments
took center stage of all my concerns.
Family and friends, world events and God
were the background against which my life played.
How--when the importance of figure was so central --
could I imagine being satisfied as ground?
It didn't occur to me to consider
God's willingness to be ground in our lives
even when told of 'The Ground of Our Being';
How could I know?
How could I know?
God showed me a pattern I couldn't see.
And life proceeded from my 'figure' position
of yearning for inclusion
and yearning for distinctiveness . . .
But yearning to become ground was not something I sought.
Then I became parent
A tiny new being evolving to personhood,
and I the ground to support the unfolding!
How could I know?
How could I know?
How could I imagine being satisfied as ground
Till I became ground for one more important than me?
Looking back, my post seems stern . . . I do love the tenderness it captures and I expect it to be among the 'pictures of the year' . . . but as the situation occurred, it awoke the 'parent' and the 'Child Development teacher' in me. I want to expand the point I alluded to regarding parental authority--my 'serious thought' for today.
A child is seeing a new world. He or she does not know how it works or what the dangers are, parents are there to provide the security while the child learns to operate within the existing reality. The greatest security a child can have is confidence in the parent's ability to navigate the turmoil of the 'big wild world'; the child's confidence rests in the parent's firm authority . . . they won't always like it, they will challenge it over and over, they will at times vehemently oppose it . . . but if that authority is fair, firm and not dependent upon their (the child's) reaction, it demonstrates to that child, "the person I rely upon is in control, they know what they are doing and I can count on that when I feel threatened." Besides firmness, the other necessary element that allows the child to have faith in that authority and thus provide the security is, of course, love. If the child feels the love--an unconditional love--the result will be respect. Within the circle of: love + reasoned authority = respect + security, the child's free spirit blossoms.
That is my 'teacher' thought; my 'parent' thought follows:
Figure/Ground
I was the central figure
in my life as I lived it --
My hopes and dreams, fears and disappointments
took center stage of all my concerns.
Family and friends, world events and God
were the background against which my life played.
How--when the importance of figure was so central --
could I imagine being satisfied as ground?
It didn't occur to me to consider
God's willingness to be ground in our lives
even when told of 'The Ground of Our Being';
How could I know?
How could I know?
God showed me a pattern I couldn't see.
And life proceeded from my 'figure' position
of yearning for inclusion
and yearning for distinctiveness . . .
But yearning to become ground was not something I sought.
Then I became parent
A tiny new being evolving to personhood,
and I the ground to support the unfolding!
How could I know?
How could I know?
How could I imagine being satisfied as ground
Till I became ground for one more important than me?
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Where's Momma?
There was something in this past week's news that I found troubling . . . over and over we saw the clip of the little boy who walked up onto the stage while the Pope was making a formal address to a large audience. The repeated rebroadcast by the networks said 'Oh, isn't this cute!' Well true, it is a cute image for the cameras, but it raises questions for me: Where was the mother or caregiver? How did he get that far on his own? Why was the child allowed to dictate that situation and no parent intervene? Where was adult judgement to draw the line between appropriate and inappropriate behavior? Yes, Jesus said, "let the little children come unto me"--and if the Pope were seated at an informal gathering and a child ran up and hugged him, that indeed would be heartwarming and a reflection of the Bible text . . . but in this case: a formal address to a large audience with microphones and TV cameras and this child roaming unrestrained was inappropriate and the parents are culpable. Imagine every parent there with a child below the age of 6 allowing their 'little darling' to freely run onstage and do nothing to discourage him/her, the result would be total disruption of the proceedings.
This incident provided a flashback to the idea that emerged somewhere about 40 years ago that suggested we let our children 'raise themselves', do nothing to control their 'free spirit'--just protect them from harm. Perhaps in a small primitive village that would be OK, but it does not fit in a complex pluralistic society striving to gain a balance that maintains order yet allows for individual freedom. We are not born knowing this, we learn how to be free without infringing on the freedom of others slowly. It is the parental job to teach how that can work. Behavior that may be appropriate in one situation is out-of-order in another. Children don't know that, that is why parents are charged with governing them for some 18 or so years. Animal young live under care only briefly because their lives are guided by instincts--human young require adult guidance for survival and they must gradually learn how to live in society and what it means to become 'civilized' (evidence of moral and intellectual advancement). Unfortunately the popularity of that concept of unrestrained childhood is showing up in the erosion of respect and self-restraint that plagues our modern world.
Yes, the image of a little kid hugging the Pope may be cute, but parents, please you need to teach your little ones behavior that is right for one situation may not be so for another--that's your job!
This incident provided a flashback to the idea that emerged somewhere about 40 years ago that suggested we let our children 'raise themselves', do nothing to control their 'free spirit'--just protect them from harm. Perhaps in a small primitive village that would be OK, but it does not fit in a complex pluralistic society striving to gain a balance that maintains order yet allows for individual freedom. We are not born knowing this, we learn how to be free without infringing on the freedom of others slowly. It is the parental job to teach how that can work. Behavior that may be appropriate in one situation is out-of-order in another. Children don't know that, that is why parents are charged with governing them for some 18 or so years. Animal young live under care only briefly because their lives are guided by instincts--human young require adult guidance for survival and they must gradually learn how to live in society and what it means to become 'civilized' (evidence of moral and intellectual advancement). Unfortunately the popularity of that concept of unrestrained childhood is showing up in the erosion of respect and self-restraint that plagues our modern world.
Yes, the image of a little kid hugging the Pope may be cute, but parents, please you need to teach your little ones behavior that is right for one situation may not be so for another--that's your job!
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