Welcome: An Introduction

Sharing the insights I discover as I explore and experience the mystery that is our reality. Join me in my journey and share yours.




Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Lifting Our Spiritual Blinders

"As for the spiritual life: what I object to about "the Spiritual Life" is the fact that it is a part, a section, set off as if it were a whole. It is an aberration to set off our "prayer" etc. from the rest of our existence, as if we were sometimes spiritual, sometimes not."

~ Thomas Merton, A life in Letters, p. 176






When we perceive God as an entity I think many make the erroneous assumption (I know I have in the past)  that we can welcome Him into certain moments in our lives while in others He is distant or altogether absent or perhaps disinterested. Another way of putting this, is many of us become accustomed to being aware of God at certain times and not at others. We have "times" for God and then when those times are over we live as if He is not with us.He drops off of our radar, so to speak.

 We might accept the teaching that God is omnipotent and omniscient (all powerful and everywhere at all times) but it is easy to live as if He weren't. For sure, many of our actions, our outward ones and those in which we do in private, are expressed as if God were a concept in which we can pick and choose where we want Him to fit into our lives.

The wondrous aspect of God's true dimension is that He is not an entity in which we would normally perceive an entity to consist of. He is all of reality, His presence continually creating, sustaining and permeating all that exists. Scripture clearly describes that all of Creation is sustained through the continual presence of Jesus.

 Colossians 1:16-17

16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

We are walking in a world saturated with the glory of God. We only need to lift our spiritual blinders from our souls, like pulling the blinds up at a window in the early morning, and letting His love, light and reality come flooding into our consciousness and hearts. Then we will find our souls quickened and stirred by the Grace that is etched into every textured leaf quivering at bending boughs, the wind's gentle breath gliding across landscapes green and fertile, new growth sprouting up with vibrance and purpose in early Spring, retelling the tale of resurrection and hope.  The gospel is stamped within and upon all of Creation with the seal of God's love. God beckons us to read and experience this gospel everyday, every moment, if only we will open ourselves to its reality.

A practice that has helped draw me deeper into a life lived more spiritually is the practice of contemplative prayer.  One can find many parallels between the techniques and experiences encountered in contemplative prayer with other practices incorporated in the mystic traditions of the world's religions like Islam's branch of mysticism-Sufism. I believe this proves what a mighty God we have in that He is calling all of the hearts He so lovingly crafted in their mother's wombs, whether in the deserts or highlands or suburban and urban jungles, home, into the infinite depths of His love. Yes, I do believe, others besides Christians can experience God's love. I do, however,  believe that the fullness of His love and truth is expressed and experienced through a living relationship with Jesus.

Sessions of intentional contemplative prayer have a way of awakening contemplative moments throughout one's day with continued practice. These moments help lift the spiritual blinders that we can put on and dissolve the compartmentalized thinking we have that separate God from facets of our lives. Our own egos and attachments to this world are our greatest impediments towards living the spiritual life.

To fully describe contemplative prayer would take up a whole other post (probably a few more besides!) but essentially it is seeking union with God. It is letting the clutter of our continual inward chatter dissolve, losing our attachments and illusions so that we sit (or stand or walk depending on one's preference) with a mind and soul that becomes more and more still, slowly awakening to God's presence within.  Through some practice and time, it is possible to begin to hear oneself less and less and experience God's presence more and more.

We can carry this practice onwards with us throughout our day by being fully mindful in the present moment. The present moment is offering itself up to us, presenting to us the glory of God and invaluable gifts of understanding and insight, if only we drop our inward chatter and allow ourselves to be fully present.

One popular exercise that can be practiced is the simple act of washing dishes. This has been an illustration I have come across in both eastern meditation books as well as Christian contemplative books,  as an exercise of practicing mindfulness.

Simply begin washing dishes. When a thought arises, let it arise, note it with no interpretation, and let it fall away. Like waves on the ocean our thoughts will rise up, endure and fall away. Let those waves come and go with no attachment to their significance, without reading into them or letting them cause bigger waves to come as you find yourself taken by them. For example, if a thought like " wow the dish soap is running low"comes,  don't let yourself then think, " I have to run to the store to get more later on, I wonder if I should do it before lunch or after", that will just lead to more and more thoughts, taking you away from the present moment! Instead, note the thought and let it pass, while at the same time allowing your senses to explore and sense what the present moment is offering them. The feel and temperature of the water on your skin, the reflection of light on the bubbles, the sound of water splashing on steel or porcelain. 

This helps us still our insignificant inward chatter and guides us into the present moment, where truly, reality is only found. Reality cannot be found in the past...the past is always continually shifting and is shaped by our own biases and illusions and the future isn't reality for it hasn't happened yet! God is here, God is now, God is inviting us all in, but we have to shed our egos, our attachments our illusions and enter the naked reality of life to experience Him in the present.

Let's not let God become just a part of our lives, but let's allow ourselves to become internally aware of Him during all of our moments and to live a life fully in Him and for Him. I will end with a great passage from Father Jean-Pierre de Caussade :


"...the one thing needful is simply what comes to the soul each moment by the will of God. This includes the stripping, the self-denial, the renunciation of earthly things, in order that the soul may be nothing in itself or live for itself, but may live wholly by God’s will, and at His good pleasure content itself with the duty of the present moment, as though that were the one thing in the whole world."

Thoughts? I'd love to hear them! Please leave them in the Comments Section. Thank you!

28 comments:

  1. In the clatter and clamor of our lives,we need ways to connect deeply with our souls. Lovely piece of work Jessica...Let's not let God become just a part of our lives, but let's allow ourselves to become internally aware of Him during all of our moments and to live a life fully in Him and for Him. I will end with a great passage from Father Jean-Pierre de Caussade :very inspiring also.

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  2. By dropping our inner chatter, turning off all that normal chaotic noice we hear, allows us to enjoy peace, tranquility and the opportunity to find peace.

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  3. Yes, our egos and attachments to the world certainly do impede our being close to God, to feeling Him in and around us, everywhere at once, loving us. I have been toying with the idea of trying contemplative prayer, Jessica, and your tutorial using the dish-washing scenario was an excellent, step-by-step example of how to go about this. Just loved it!

    Blessings to you!

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  5. Hmmmm... this is profound Jessica and allows for space to breathe and fully realize that God is constantly present in our lives.

    I will reflect more on this. I love what you always have to share...

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  6. Hoe true! We remember god only when we are in trouble. We take our happiness for granted so often that we dont even remember to thank him. And yet he is always by our side and in us. A thought provoking post Jessica

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  7. Your post does a beautiful job of explaining the same things we've been feeling. My husband and I have been making a more conscious effort to keep God in our life at all times. It makes a tremendous difference and things just keep improving for us. We are very thankful even when things don't go "our way" because we realize there is a greater plan, and we trust.

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  8. Alpana, thanks for stopping by. So glad you enjoyed the post. I loved the passage from Father Caussade as well! It's part of a much larger passage that I like to return to often.
    ~blessings :)

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  9. Larry, so true! I have found much peace in the present moment when before my mind was either reflecting on the past or fidgeting on the future! Thanks for stopping by :)

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  10. Martha, I would definitely recommend the practice! It has really brought a sense of joy and peace in my life as well as rich experiences of God's presence. I'd recommend reading "New Seeds of Contemplation" by Thomas Merton and "Christian Meditation" by James Finley to start if you are interested. Those are great books that have helped me! Many suggest "Open Heart, Open Mind" by Thomas Keating, I haven't read that yet, but I hear it's great!
    ~blessings

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  11. Thanks Melissa for stopping by :) I always love your reflections, so feel free to share when you are ready. ~blessings sis

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  12. Rimly, so true...we tend to remember God in the highs and lows of life, but everywhere in between we begin to rely just on ourselves and neglect His presence. I know I'm guilty of it! May God reign in every facet of all of our lives, bringing direction and peace. Thanks for stopping by :)

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  13. Thank you so much for sharing Carol. I think that is so inspiring, that you and your husband together, are working on moving closer and closer into an ever deeper relationship and awareness of God. Not many couples do that together...what a special relationship :)
    ~blessings

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  14. Thanks for your comment. Even though I get dozens of reads on my blogspot day devo, you and a couple other friends are the only saints to leave comments! Also I saw the Blog Farm a few days ago here and signed up too!!!

    Am not into contemplative prayer but i have always gone into deep meditation with Christ when in my intercessory groups or fasting on my own or daily. It's just praying in the spirit for me. I really like your thoughtful post above and especially about thoughts! I hate when my mind goes off on a quick tangent while cutting the grass, driving and yes, I wash dishes at home daily tool! :-))

    What you actually wrote here was completely biblical and I would like to quote you sometime. The biblical principle you are teaching is "Take every thought captive!!!"

    God bless you and have a perfect day!

    Bernie

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  15. What a great post Jess! Can people experience the full extent of God's love and experience a true relationship with Him without coming to God on His Terms; which is a heart belief in His Son Jesus Christ? I believe that until they do they will not have a true knowledge of God. I feel that it will get harder and harder to take a definitive stand on this issue as time goes on. If God created the world and desired a full relationship with us so much that He sacrificed His Son on a cross then why would He allow alternate paths to Himself; it takes away from the very real and very personal death that Jesus Christ experienced on the cross to bring us into a relationship with Himself and His Father.
    I do believe that our greatest moments in life do come when we are experiencing God in the present; I always try to have a journal nearby to write down what God is telling me in my spirit. Sometimes allowing a particular verse, or song to start an inner dialogue with God and allow Him to tell me what He wants to tell me.

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  16. I so agree Jessica...finding the goodness which is in everything, in every moment, and every situation, is, I believe, finding God in everything. I love making the effort and doing this for myself.

    Another wonderful post, Jessica :)

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  17. My relationship with God tends to ebb and flow as my situation in life goes. When all is going well then I seem to distance myself from him but when a difficult time occurs then I find myself reaching out to him for support. I certainly understand that it's common to do that but I've been better about staying in touch with God and keeping hin involved in my life regardless of the situation. Nice post!!

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  18. Compartmentalization is so ‘of the world’. I’ll say with Merton, “It is an aberration to set off our 'prayer' etc. from the rest of our existence, as if we were sometimes spiritual, sometimes not." I do not dichotomize.

    Ever. Now it’s time for church…prayer…secular and sacred activities… school…learning... Life should be seamless. Flowing and transitioning naturally and smoothly. The world cares not that we rush about our day, trying to fit one activity after another into an already crammed “schedule” at the risk of losing sight of why we’re here in the first place.

    In Him we live and move and have our being. And yet, it’s the god of this world that seeks to divide and conquer by distraction - and keeping us from being single-eyed by so much busy-ness that we can’t stop and live in the moment. Because every moment is filled with other things, other priorities, other ‘gods’… success, achievement, competition, worldly values, etc. that we lose sight of Him and fail to experience His presence moment by moment.

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  19. Hi, Jessica! --

    I'm so impressed by your ideas every time I visit!

    It is clear to me by reading you that you are not simply giving shallow advice but, rather, you are experiencing a profound spiritual journey in your life and sharing it authentically with your readers.

    I appreciate you and all that you are!

    Thank YOU!!

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  20. P.S. I think you would enjoy and bring a breath of fresh air to the discussion evolving around my guest post at http://lifethrulucylasticaslense.blogspot.com/2011/08/truly-madly-deeply-chooseday-choon.html
    Please stop by and share your 'God song' XOXO

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  21. Thank you so much Bernie! I've really enjoyed your blog as well. Feel free to quote me anytime. Blessings to you and yours.

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  22. Bill, thanks so much for stopping by...the journal is a great idea! A practice that I need to get more into the habit of for when I do journal, I find definite spiritual benefits.

    ~blessings

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  23. Bec, thank you so much for coming by and leaving your thoughts. I agree...it's a joy finding Him in everything...it makes the act of living simply amazing :)

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  24. David, you are not alone brother :) I will pray that your relationship with Him deepens and grows and you are struck with extraordinary insights and revelations of His love and presence as you start recognizing Him in your everyday moments. Thanks so much for stopping by :)

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  25. Debra..." And yet, it’s the god of this world that seeks to divide and conquer by distraction - and keeping us from being single-eyed by so much busy-ness that we can’t stop and live in the moment." So true! May we pray fervently from being swept away from such distractions and seek to maintain a focus on God. It definitely isn't easy!

    Thank you so much for your thoughtful reflections. I agree that life and our relationship with God should be seemless..flowing from one to another and to yet all other facets of our lives.

    ~Blessings

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  26. Linda, thanks for stopping by! That's exactly what Im trying to do-share my spiritual journey and the insights I feel I get along the way. So glad you are joining me and I look forward to hearing more of your thoughts and reflections in the future :)

    ~blessings

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  27. Nice blog post Jessica. Great to see that we folk birthed in the 'evangelical' tribe are hungering for more than the usual religious fare.

    Anthony De Mello the 20th century Indian Christian mystic suggested that we cannot really 'know' (experience) the Divine without knowing our spiritual Self, the image of our Creator Source sparked into life by Holy Spirit (Breath).

    As we live in this Divine mindfulness I believe that more and more of our religious sacred cows will fall away, revealing their true irrelevance.

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  28. lets go to peace all of my friends...... i love peace. I think you to.

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