After-Thoughts on: 'What in the World Is Going On?'

I had a few more thoughts in continuation with this idea of the binary in thought or approach and the necessity of a third part in order to mediate. In a trinitarian relationship one arrives at the fullness of spirit.  A right/wrong mentality towards the law needs Christ's mediating spirit to bring it to life. The Creator is animated life-breath, not stagnant or hardened. But what is it exactly about the third element that makes it effective. If we are aiming for balance we cannot be overly rooted in merely the spirit of the law or the letter. Jesus is a perfect embodiment of that balance. He goes to the proud hypocrites (the pharisees) in judgement and condemnation, calling them Vipers. He has the moral authority being without sin—no beams for him to pluck out. On the other hand he goes to the poor, penitent and humble in love and mercy in order to draw them to him. He seems to know exactly which manner of medicine is needed and meets it out in a perfect dose. After all, he is the Great Physician. 

The point more precisely that occurred to me this AM as I ran through the winter woods was: How did he bring in the life-breath, the spirit to the hardened law? It seems he brings his presence in the present moment and in human connection, or relationship to the other. When he decides to heal on the Sabbath day, there is no looking back and holding on to an idea that this is the way it has always been done and therefore needs to be continued to be done in that way (i.e., this healing must at all costs wait until Monday). There is also no forward catastrophizing.  Even the Son of Man concedes that only the Father can truly know the future ("But concerning that day or that hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the son, but only the Father." — Mark 13:32). So he is totally and completely in the present moment, dealing with the full contextual aspect of that moment and facing the being in front of him in a humane way. There is a sensitivity to all of these varying circumstances being taken into consideration. It occurs to me that this is the key. We cannot hold on to the past nor project in the future, but are called to be here now, fully present, fully engaged, and as we are able doing so in love and mercy.

What in the World Is Going On?

I have been thinking about Unity and division as this seems to be the new word of the day (unity)—what unites and what divides and why. Obviously, commonalities unite or connect and differences divide, but in what proportions do they need to be in order to achieve harmonic cohesion? 

Christians, in my view, tend to fall into two basic camps: those that really grant great merit and credence to the letter of the law, and those that tend more towards the spirit of the law. It seems they are both equally valid. Christ shows us that  the letter of the law is not so concrete as to not have movement (healing on the sabbath day). He takes into account the full depth and context of the law and applies it to extricate the true spirit behind the law. He came into the world to fulfill the law (so we don't have to)—Phew, sigh of relief—yet still clearly states that he is not there to abolish the law, so it is still important. In his ministry he clearly calls people to repent or give up of their sin, which would also imply and point to the continued importance of the law, but does so in a way that people are able to receive, the way of Love and mercy. Regardless of which camp of Christianity one leans toward or falls into, the hope would be that the body of Christ, is the overarching unifying factor. All are one in Christ Jesus, no male nor female, gentile or jew.

I was reflecting about the similarity in politics (starting with American), the left and right and the supposed unifying factor of "the United states". I listened to a wonderful podcast a couple of years ago with Steven Pinker, a Jewish atheist, Harvard professor of behavioral psychology, and Jordan Peterson a Canadian professor and practitioner of psychology. I would say Peterson is very Christian leaning in his thinking and approach to life (though not professed) — in his own words, he "acts as if God exists". It was so fascinating to learn about personality differences, specifically trait openness and trait conscientiousness. It seems most people fall into primarily one of these two categories. 

Pinker and Peterson also highlighted the absolute necessity for both types in order to have a healthy and functioning society. They also illuminated why for example, from a historic and biological perspective, someone might be one or the other, and they show just how deeply rooted some of the traits are, even to the level of our DNA. Amazing! For example people who fall into the the trait conscientiousness category tend to like boundaries, rules, structure. They might be more prone to want to distance themselves from someone they perceive as different because historically some of these different tribes would indeed bring disease to their tribe and whole groups of people would be wiped out. So the "threat" comes not from some close-minded, hateful way of being, rather what may be perceived as a true threat. 

However again, both types are needed for a healthy functioning society. One who pushes for structure and order and one who pushes for innovation, which as a necessary element must go into chaos in order for something new to be found. Another interesting fact they pointed out was that our world at this time in history has never been so "comfortable". In sum we have less poverty — less of the world's population suffers from starvation, and overall quality of life that has never been better. Yet here we are, in most peoples perceptions we are in a terrible state. Why? The division of ideas seems to be polarized at an all time high. Are we too comfortable? Is technology to blame? Is this some cosmic planetary woo woo shift? Is God chastising his people to bring them to him by losing hope in humanity so that they will in turn seek something greater?

I know if this were a public dialogue people in the US would immediately point to 45. I would argue that division in this country was already on a strong trajectory even during the Obama years (probably before but this is when I noticed it). I for one was somewhat disheartened as my thinking was: now that we have an African American president race relations will improve. I saw precisely the opposite. I am not blaming Obama, nor Trump for that matter, just saying I don't think any one person is the cause, even if they were not the solution, or actively exacerbated the situation. I don't think it has to do with Capitalism because I also witness the same trend in Europe. Many Jewish people actually are fleeing some places for fear of their well being, which is a huge statement about division.

I wish that everyone would listen to that podcast. Knowledge is power. I wish that people would seek to truly understand the other, their beliefs and practices even if they disagree. As a friend pointed out years ago, if things are right/wrong, black/white, then God is not in it. Makes sense, the peace that passeth All understanding.  I also spoke to a healer friend who reminded me of the Trinity — we need the third element. There is a right/wrong but there has to be the third element to mediate the two and create the unity. So profound, this really resonated with me. The third element is the great harmonizer, that is where the music is, and as my choir director said, "music is Love".

Fear of the Lord

I have been thinking a lot lately about fear of the Lord. 

Not in the traditional sense so much, although there is much to think about there as well. What has been on my mind is a very common idea that seems to circulate among non believers or non-seekers. The idea that religion, or maybe more precisely, faith, belief in a higher power, or an adherence to scripture is somehow based primarily out of fear. I will start off by saying I don't think this is actually true, but even if it were, so what? I mean every human being on the planet deals with fear. We understand through many great thinkers that the fear of death is one of man's biggest fears. I would add to that, that death is an illusion that we take for truth. Christ is a doorway to understand the actual Truth. The eternal can be experientially known. 

Most spiritual practices and religions, I believe aim to give one a sense of the eternal, both as God the Father, the Great Creator, but also in realizing our deep connection, communion through Christ with Him that can be experienced. A merging of sorts. So even if fear were a primary motivator, would that not be a good thing? Being able at least momentarily or in some part able to alleviate our fears of death, the ultimate unknown, into something greater and everlasting that we can know? Our ego would like us to believe that we are all the labels and roles we play, we are our thoughts and ideas, but Truth points to something more. We can find in deep prayer or meditation a place where thoughts subside and roles drop off and yet still we exist.

So what is it that people hate about fear? I know I personally used to have very adverse reactions to fear. Cowardice seemed weak and pathetic and made me feel angry. Strange ... yet I don't think this is uncommon. The sense that I get from nonbelievers who throw the fear accusation out seems to me to be that they are angry about this, sometimes even disgusted. I think as I reflected over time at some of my own negative reactions and the observance of others reactions I realize why. Fear is the opposite of Love. People want Love, whether they realize it or not, so they reject fear. They want to throw it back at the person that represents it to them. Their being says: 'Don't give me that nonsense, I want Love'.

True agape Love does indeed cast out all fear, yet it is scary for us to truly embrace, but why?  I think it does have to do with its truly awesome power and magnitude. When one looks up at the cosmos or experiences an earthquake or any great natural phenomenon, not only is it awe-inspiring but it is scary. That kind of greatness and power can be completely overwhelming and the sense of our own finite smallness can feel powerless. The ego is confronted face to face with the illusion of its existence being something real. 

Another interesting thought on this matter is the idea that psychologists  espouse and to me rings true —that people are in fact more fearful of success than failure. Isn't that interesting? It makes sense, who in their lives has not failed at something, so we know what that is. We may not like it, but we know it, therefore it is safe territory. Success on the other hand is the unknown, and that is scary. It seems that this explains self-sabotage, a strange way to protect one self from the scariness of the unknown. 

Another thing that I find people really hate about religion is the rules or laws, if believers stand by them. Again, the accusation is that one keeps them out of fear. The accusation is that the person is too weak and cowardly to think and act for themselves. But I think the anger in this accusation is misguided under the idea that somehow you have to follow all the rules in order to get it right and be worthy of Love. The classic perfectionist flaw: if I am not perfect am I still worthy of Love? 

Of course none of us are perfect, Christ's sermon on the mount seems to me the great and perfect example of just how far the law and spirit of the law go. Even your misplaced thought can get you into a great deal of trouble! Ironically if understood properly, this is a huge relief. We actually don't have to get it right, to have and receive Love, all we have to do is be willing to admit we don't have it all right and that's enough. 

Repent. Repent of the idea that we have it right, that we know it all. This I think is such an interesting point that so many non believers misinterpret. Even why many reject Christ. Is it a fear to really see their own sin, or the fear of the inability to get it right all the time? Or even a rejection to be told there is a right way and a wrong way? (yet all people do hold to a "religion" of rights and wrongs whether acknowledged or not). Are we afraid of accepting that which we all want, yet on some level we feel we don't actually deserve? Love. Maybe that in itself is a scary thing to actually confront. 

I don't believe people go to Christ or that follow religion do so out of fear. I believe they are drawn to something that the deepest levels of their being, whether understood intellectually or not, are drawn to as true. I think people look to scripture, not because they are unable to think and discern for themselves but because they want to dig deeper than a surface understanding. Repentance is not just about allieving personal guilt, but a way to surrender again and again to something greater. Fear is not just about some punishment in the afterlife, but fear of the awesomeness of God, of the unlimited potential, through whom all things are possible. Fear of our own greatness, that could lead us into unknown parts of our own being. 

It is very easy to sit on a soap box mocking the stupidity and simplicity of those who follow a book of rules and can't think for themselves, or entertain some silly idea that religious devotion makes one feel better about themselves for their awfulness by being washed clean with the blood of the Lamb. I beg to differ — it takes courage to confront ones own being, the deepest levels of ourselves. To not lie and believe the flattering illusions and false righteousness we give to our "good deeds" but knowing and surrendering to our own helplessness, and resting not in ourselves, but in something  greater than ourselves.

A Koan Poem

 Christ is the Only way to God.

This is not a religious statement nor a commentary on any religion.

Let the triggering begin, emotions equal our sacred messengers.

The answer is in the key; Seek and ye shall find.

Let the truth set you free.

Love Is Love?

So the other day reading through Facebook I came across a post by a friend who frequently  criticizes  Christians and mocks, or is expressing frustrated reactions about Christians. 

I find them interesting, and not unique, as even most Christians have criticisms of other Christians. Sometimes I feel like yelling across Facebook so all could hear: "Christians are followers of Christ, not THE Christ himself!!" Alas, it would probably fall upon deaf ears, and maybe that is a good thing. This could be a call to Christians to examine themselves more deeply, more thoroughly. 

Even though some in the world may despise Christians, they still look to and expect them to live up to Christ's teachings, even if they themselves completely reject them. Isn't that interesting? What a fascinating impact Christ has on the world.

This person of whom I speak is a non believer, and any Christian should not be surprised about not only criticism but even hatred or persecution being sent their way for a belief and commitment to Christ's words and teaching. He himself very clearly says this will be the case, and if we believe the other things he says and teaches we are right to believe this also. It was the case in his own time and remains the case today.

Her statement was something to the effect of: "I have a super hard time dealing with Christians that cherry pick the Bible. The Bible teaches you to love thy neighbor and to do unto others as you'd have done unto you. LOVE THY NEIGHBOR. Did Jesus say 'love thy white neighbor'? Nope love thy neighbor, simple right???" Well, maybe that seems simple, and certainly conceptually that is true, but I would argue that in practice, it is quite complex.

Ok, so aside from this very quote being a cherry picking of sorts (Luke 10:27 says: "love thy neighbor as thy self"), to her credit, it is connected with what Jesus says is the first and great commandment —"Love the lord thy God with all your heart, with all your strength and with all thy mind". "On these two commandments hang all the laws and all the prophets" (Matthew 22:40). So if one were to give a hierarchal structure to the Bible, one might rightly place this (the two great commandments) at the pinnacle. 

So it made me curious as to what cherry-picked verse would actually encourage this kind of justification? I may enter into a direct conversation to find out (depending how much time I find in my day), but it occurs to me that most likely the true discussion is not about a verse that would admonish such nonsense (to not love one's black neighbor) but rather, maybe about the question: What is love? The Bible says: "love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." (1 Corinthians 13 v1-8). 

This post was written by the same person who said recently "love is love, not a sin" while advocating for an add affirming gay rights. So I think this is actually an interesting discussion and one that is overlooked and over simplified. Love is indeed Love, but is all sex just sex and created equally? Maybe the question is: because one loves someone does that make engaging in sex right and good? Clearly the answer to that is no. Obviously most people today would concede (though at former times societally accepted and encouraged) that pedophilia is unacceptable, and more so, extremely damaging for the victim. The pedophile may "feel" that he or she loves the child, but clearly that feeling is rooted in a self-seeking desire and not true Love as the Bible would define it. There are also people who fall in love with objects and/or are sexually aroused by objects. Some people I learned recently are sexually stimulated by the idea of cutting off of their own limbs. So then the question clearly goes beyond one's feelings, and one might say even what is good for one's own well being. 

Jesus was without sin, so loved perfectly. We, being sinners, cannot necessarily love perfectly at all times, and probably most times. Oftentimes we love but are loathe to remove our own judgements and restrictions, even boundaries on our love. We love our children completely yet are prone to anger and impatience in that love. We have strong feelings and desires about how they should and should not act, and have a very hard time separating out those desires from a perfect love. So they exist simultaneously side by side, interwoven; a perfect love and our sinful natures weaving in and out of our interactions with those we truly do love so deeply.

Christ had the beautifully admirable ability to Love perfectly and with complete mercy and compassion and advise that which is right and good, to give up one's sins. 

It seems to me we are called to love and love fully as he did, and yet we love our own thoughts and judgements many times more. We skew our ability to Love out of a primary allegiance to our ideas, or aversion to someone else's thoughts and ideas.

Perspective, I believe, can be a helpful tool, allowing the other to have their boundaries and limits. Acknowledging that we too have our boundaries, they may be wider or more narrow, but they exist. These ideas and boundaries need not be translated into a character statement or flaw. 

We will never love our neighbors properly if we must love every one of their thoughts and belief systems (and perhaps actions that extend from them). This might also raise some more points about the earlier passage. What exactly does it mean to love the Lord thy God with all thy soul, heart and mind? How many of us are actually successful at that? And if not at that, then the second, how do we love ourselves properly? How many of us do that? It follows the obvious conclusion that if we are having trouble doing the first two properly, then likely we are going to fail at loving our neighbors properly too.

Thankfully Christ never says we have to be a perfect master of every law. He came to fulfill the law for us, but not to abolish it. I think the most powerful lesson is that we can love someone fully, all the while fully disagreeing with any number of behaviors and choices the other makes. Love them as they are, where they are. I think Christ's demonstration of this is so clear. Just because someone may have a gross or what one might call an outwardly obvious sin that they have not conquered (in one's view) does not necessarily mean that it is any worse of a sin than a dark deep secret sin. Sin is sin, and no ones escapes. However, if one truly embraces God's sovereignty then where that person is, is exactly where that person is meant to be, and it is not your personal responsibly to be the judge and redeemer of that. 

On the other hand it can be a slippery slope. When we love someone, we do genuinely desire their good, true and ultimate good, not just a desire to make someone feel good in the moment. How does one balance these "impulses"? If my child wanted to cut his arm off, clearly I would aim to persuade him otherwise for his own good. So how do we love and accept someone fully and all the while encourage their ultimate good as Christ does? I suppose the answer is in the question, take it to Him in prayer and let the answers be given unto you, for he who seeks shall find. Aim to love in a way that fits the beautiful descriptives in the Bible. Is it kind? Allow the other to think and believe what they will and love them anyway no matter what. 

July in Charleston

Time the elusive king,

At times belabored, each minute holds eternity as the years rush by.

The seasons change and the children grow, as our spirits long for Him.

The great I Am, in the here and now, why are we always seeking the next?

Our nature so stubborn and contrary.

I long to be the bird flying in each moment of ecstasy, 

Reaching the heights of the heaven,

No care in its feathers — free to fall, a child's souvenir.

I yearn and reject simultaneously the complexity of the most evolved... or not?

We waste our youthful energies on the superficial masks,

Upholding the burden of illusion until the weight becomes so heavy our shoulders ache.

We yearn for human touch, yet fleeting it will so soon fall, the vanity of it all.

Why do we waste our breath and crush our spirits? 

The rivers teach us otherwise in their flow so effortless and pure.

The rocks soak up the back-rubs, cooling and caressing without a thought or care.

The hours pass so slowly, how to fill each empty moment? 

We try to feign an interest in these small and minor acts, 

Yet all the while knowing our powerlessness before the Great One.

How to walk with joy and gratitude, when the weight of mere existence presses upon us?

Some days the end seems so inviting, but those we leave behind 

Will then be the ones to carry the loss of what you were called to hold. 

They will long for your container of that which is most high,

The container of the one who resides.

We breathe and continue to sow a path of sorrow, 

Gain strength to carry on, despite the humidity bearing down on our souls, 

Calling to that most deep of slumbers.

We climb the stairs once more, pleasuring in the dull ache of sore muscles and bones, 

Our funny companions so loyal and warm, remind us of life.

We plow, we plot, we think too much and another day is gone.

Lessons from Meditation

The mind is a parrot — squawk, squawk, squawk — repeating what the soul already knows.

Echoes of nonsense, always having to comment on this and on that,

Reveling in its own brilliance, trusting in the subtleties unfurled.

I knew that long ago, says the Truth, veiled deep below.

So hush little bird, you have said too much already,

Repeating and repeating as if somehow that completes the tasks undone.

Rest now in the depth of the true wisdom of old.

I know you, you know me, before time began,

Eternal, everlasting, unchanging within.

Hush little parrot, just sing a pretty song.

To Change or Not to Change?

I had a thought the other day, is being resistant to change anti God?

Change is inevitable, change is in itself a constant, something we know to be true. God works his miracles, often imperceptible to our busy minds and lives. Although we don't see the stem of grass as it grows, the lawn mowers of the world will attest to the extremely rapid speed with which it happens. Yet, He himself is unchanging, a true objective reality, a firm foundation. He is vibrant, pulsating Love.... the great creator, animating all of creation to the heartbeat of perfection. Christ himself shows us the broadness of the life-animating spirit when he debunks the pharisees' dogma by healing on the sabbath day. The law is good only so far as the context is also taken into consideration. The law stagnant and still does not have the life breath of our savior animating the moment to the truth that is needed.

So how does one balance timeless truths with constant change? I think maybe there are two components. One of yoga's philosophies is practice and non-attachment. We come to the mat daily to nourish our physical bodies, to prepare for meditation. When the body is strong and flexible we can sit in stillness longer and address the mind (Be still and know that I am God).

Going into deep prayer and meditation free from being distracted by the body the mind can focus more freely. We go to God, in stillness and silence, offer up our prayers and then.... let go and know that God's sovereign plan will ultimately be done.  So we ask, but then we let go, we have spoken and the rest is up to him. 

I guess some of these thoughts came to mind also due to a recent conversation. I was speaking with a lovely elderly gentleman after church. He seemed dismayed by the thought of statues being taken down. These statues were constructed for mothers who had lost their sons in battle. As he explained, it was a way to honor their sorrow and be a physical representation in the world of that loss. Others have expressed sorrow for the loss of the artwork or the beauty of a monument. So the intention of these monuments have something laudable. Yet for others these statues represent something very different, very painful. A time when their status as a beloved child of God, made in his image was not recognized. When the story of the age said you are less than, worthless, a mere possession. How do we balance these coexisting truths?

I personally have never been someone overly attached to material things. Often too much excess makes me feel weighed down, but at the end of the day, these attachments are really less about the material plane. The true attachment rests in the mind and the idea of what is represented. 

Maybe in this time of great change for the whole world, struggling to balance in an unbalanced chaotic state of unknowns, God is calling us to allow his life-animating spirit to mix things up. To see just where we are gripping to our own ideas and rejecting his push to let go and let him. Maybe these tugs at our senses or heartstrings are reminders to not rest in our own understanding but in his infinite love, knowledge and wisdom. Can we hold our own understandings and preferences a little more lightly and create room for something outside of that to enter in? Flowing rivers are clean and healthy, unlike a stagnant pool, bacteria laden with the potential for great sickness. 

When one grips too tightly to something that must change, chaos ensues. Last weeks events were a testament to that. It is easier to hold and to force than to allow. The illusion of control can be so powerful, so gripping and strong. Allowing makes one vulnerable, allowing treads in the unsteady waters of the unknown, and yet that is where the most beautiful possibilities lie. The realm of the all-possible is just beyond our reach, so perhaps if we stop grasping, what will be brought forth to us will be far greater than our wildest dreams.

A Poem for Now

Blood sacrifices on the Capitol, bow down to the God of fear and hate.

Oh Prince of peace, my heart cries out to thee.

Rise we up in our own righteousness!

But none is righteous only thee.

Blood sacrifices in the cities, shattered glass in the streets, 

Active flames of pain for words not heard, actions speak louder.

But he said no more sacrifices were needed, not even the smallest ant need lose his little life?

When comest the dawn of the new day, when the lion lays down with the lamb?

No, No, No, we must fight fight, fight! 

Hate war, Hate war, march on, march on. 

Rage war, Rage war, lift those knees higher, march on, march on.

Peace Peace Peace, Ohm shanti, shanti, shanti-heeeeeeee

Where are you now my Prince of peace? When will our hearts turn once and for all?

The little girl is skipping alongside her mother, as she ponders....

"Remember when human beings used kill other human beings?" Curls bouncing as she goes.

"Oh little bear, don't think on such things."

"Ok mamma, its just so weird, people must have been very strange back then."

A Moment of Winter

 Waves crashing on the sand

Whitecaps their winter wear.

Dogs running, barking, affirming existence.

Sun sparkles on the sand

The same as the twinkle in your eye.

Children squeal — vestiges of joy

Fading into the air.

Time passes unobserved

Days shorter, nights long.

Bears slumber dreaming of honeypots spring will bring.

The wheel turns, chance, fortune, and destiny

Shuffled mysteriously.

The wondrous potions of life's elixir

Sustaining each moment, each breath

Until the last exhale

When the night sky beckons

To the abyss of the unknown.