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There is no right or wrong path in life.
Yeah, it probably wasn't what you were expecting to read. And you may disagree. And you may be right.
But let's consider the notion for a moment that there is no right or wrong path just to see what comes of it.
It doesn't mean
choices are essentially irrelevant, or that there is no right or wrong in
choice. It tells us exactly the opposite. Choice is everything. If we have
handled one moment badly, we have, and we must face what comes of that. But
more urgently we are called to focus on what to do next. Now. To open our
hearts and find the courage to change direction if necessary to move toward
that which is kind, generous, accepting and merciful. To shed our scripts about who we are supposed to be, our shells,
and be naked before our own being, before Being itself.
It is in this way that we are born again. It is this way we
walk with the spirit of God. It is in this way we recognize that samsara is
nirvana. It is in this way we see the Kingdom of God in ourselves and the face
of God in neighbors. This is the path of no path. This is the the beginning and
the end of the spiritual journey. It is where the prophets, Jesus and the
saints walk. It is the way of Lao Tsu and the Buddha. It is always before you no matter which way
you turn.
Remove your shoes. Every step in on holy ground.
It is such a nice sentiment, isn't it?But I think that for many, that is all it will be. Something that sounds nice, and perhaps even makes sense, but which is never really internalized. Whether it is due to past disappointment or frustration with life in general or with religion in particular, it seems that narcissism, hedonism, cynicism or nihilism, which all revolve around a lack of larger connection to a larger meaning, is becoming increasingly visible.
So how does an earnest seeker let go of these limitations? How does someone who is clever, or educated or jaded honestly open herself to something that appears foolish, too simplistic or too good to be true?
And no folks, I don't even pretend to how to try to answer this one. The advice I keep running across says patience, patience, patience. So don't give up!
"How does someone who is clever, or educated or jaded honestly open herself to something that appears foolish, too simplistic or too good to be true?"
ReplyDeleteHumility is the key, I think. Just because something appears foolish or simplistic doesn't mean it is. It may be instead that we ourselves are too foolish or simplistic to grasp the holy; and the first step is realizing that and opening our hearts anyway.
Good point.
ReplyDeleteI think though that for some it is often hard to generate feelings like gratitude and humility, especially if one is depressed or cynical, and all the more so if religious and sacred language was used against them as a cudgel. There can be a fear of being duped into some petty superstition or a cult-like mentality.
Sometimes you aren't even sure what "opening your heart" really means in a sincere or genuine way or how to do it even if you wanted to. Besides, that does inherently mean risking exposure to your true feelings and to buried pain as well as the pain of others. And for some, it also means giving up that personal pain, and some folks have various reasons for wanting to hold on to it.
Yes. But I went to a party with old friends from college, and got drawn into a group prayer with some of them. I realized that though I had become jaded in some ways to their conservative evangelicalism, I still had things to learn from their simple trust and confidence in God. Perhaps I have forgotten some things that they still know, that are true and worth knowing-- even if I reject the attendant baggage.
ReplyDeleteOne cannot generate gratitude or humility. But it is possible to see that we have things to be grateful for, or humble about-- and then the feelings often come, naturally and unforced.
"Perhaps I have forgotten some things that they still know, that are true and worth knowing-- even if I reject the attendant baggage."
ReplyDeleteSounds like a candidate for my motto in life. Or at least my ongoing education and exploration of life. Only in some cases I might add "things I never knew".