Finally, the greatest lesson of all: “Give supremacy to love.” This is nothing new. Not only was this graphically illustrated to the Hebrews of ancient times, but it was the fundamental doctrine of Christ. He summed up the entire duty of man to first love God with every iota of being, and second to love mankind as one loves ones’ self. That’s about as simple and as difficult as it can get.
As a believer in Christ and follower of his teachings, for me this is the highest calling. In fact it is to define the very foundation and boundaries of my existence. It is within the context of love I am to make my decisions, raise my children, inspire and encourage my wife, lead my family, maintain my work ethic, and care about my coworkers and responsibilities.
It is love that should support my respect for life and human dignity. It is love that makes me stand for what is right and good and true. It is love that should make me kind. It is love that does not get angry and does not swell with pride. It is love that enables me to stay sane amid a maddening world.
The love of God is given to me as a gift. The love of Christ is demonstrated to me by example. The love of my family is grace undeserved. On these bases I must love. If I do not, I am untrue to all that is most dear to me. God help me to love more, love deeper, and love more often: loving unselfishly in humility, expecting nothing in return.
In conclusion, these Mystic Lessons are deep ones indeed. If one could master them, life would be richer every moment. My prayer is that I may learn them better and be a better man, husband, and father every day.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Mystic Lessons: Honor in Humility
Such humility does not come easily. I must admit it is difficult for me to “Discern honor in humility.” I do not mean that I misunderstand the concept. I agree there is great honor in humility. However, living in genuine humility with honor is very difficult to do.
The key word here is “genuine.” It is easy to be outwardly self-deprecating and humble when people offer their congratulations. It is another thing entirely to not inwardly rejoice at the adulation.
I am not good at this. It is tough to be humble. I like to receive credit for what I do. I like to be praised by others for a good performance or a job well done. I like to be congratulated and recognized for contributions or achievements.
I must say that I am somewhat bewildered about how to introduce more honorable humility into my life. I do not think humility simply means embarrassment of one’s person or degradation of one’s psyche. I think it must mean more an attitude or spirit of kind gentleness that does not seek reward or compensation in exchange for grace or help or expect honor or reward for one’s deeds. Rather, it gives fully without reservation or expectation. To me this seems the most difficult of the lessons to learn.
The key word here is “genuine.” It is easy to be outwardly self-deprecating and humble when people offer their congratulations. It is another thing entirely to not inwardly rejoice at the adulation.
I am not good at this. It is tough to be humble. I like to receive credit for what I do. I like to be praised by others for a good performance or a job well done. I like to be congratulated and recognized for contributions or achievements.
I must say that I am somewhat bewildered about how to introduce more honorable humility into my life. I do not think humility simply means embarrassment of one’s person or degradation of one’s psyche. I think it must mean more an attitude or spirit of kind gentleness that does not seek reward or compensation in exchange for grace or help or expect honor or reward for one’s deeds. Rather, it gives fully without reservation or expectation. To me this seems the most difficult of the lessons to learn.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Mystic Lessons: Joy in Service
Why do I want more of my current life to come into focus? Because I have some big decisions to make that will impact the rest of my life and I want to make the right ones. I want to live a life of meaning and do things to make a difference in the lives of other people. This usually means to “Find joy in service.”
Throughout my life I have found the greatest satisfaction when serving: when truly serving not just nominally. As a young adult, I ministered to an assisted-living community of senior adults who were still in possession of all their cognitive faculties. I loved these people and it was not difficult to serve them. I enjoyed spending time with them learning from their lives. I did not mind going to the hospital to encourage them when they were sick. I did not mind setting aside other plans to spend time with them. They were valuable to me and I found great fulfillment sharing life with them.
A few years ago, I was outside mowing my grass. I felt a strong impression to go over and mow my neighbor’s grass. I ignored the feeling. It took me an hour to mow my own grass. I had no desire to spend forty-five minutes mowing the grass of a neighbor I barely knew. However, the feeling persisted. I selfishly continued to fight it; but finally I decided that I should do it. So I finished my yard and went into theirs and continued mowing.
Upon my completion of the task, the neighbor came out of the house almost in tears, grateful for my help. She shared that her husband had hurt his wrist (or shoulder) and could not push the mower. She also was physically prohibited from doing it. Their children are handicapped and could not do it, and their church friends had been unable to fit in their schedules. So, my simple act of conflicted unselfishness had incredible value to them.
I was very humbled by this and learned a great lesson in the joy of service. I am reminded to do these things more often: to go out of my way, to set my agenda aside and help others. In it is great satisfaction.
Throughout my life I have found the greatest satisfaction when serving: when truly serving not just nominally. As a young adult, I ministered to an assisted-living community of senior adults who were still in possession of all their cognitive faculties. I loved these people and it was not difficult to serve them. I enjoyed spending time with them learning from their lives. I did not mind going to the hospital to encourage them when they were sick. I did not mind setting aside other plans to spend time with them. They were valuable to me and I found great fulfillment sharing life with them.
A few years ago, I was outside mowing my grass. I felt a strong impression to go over and mow my neighbor’s grass. I ignored the feeling. It took me an hour to mow my own grass. I had no desire to spend forty-five minutes mowing the grass of a neighbor I barely knew. However, the feeling persisted. I selfishly continued to fight it; but finally I decided that I should do it. So I finished my yard and went into theirs and continued mowing.
Upon my completion of the task, the neighbor came out of the house almost in tears, grateful for my help. She shared that her husband had hurt his wrist (or shoulder) and could not push the mower. She also was physically prohibited from doing it. Their children are handicapped and could not do it, and their church friends had been unable to fit in their schedules. So, my simple act of conflicted unselfishness had incredible value to them.
I was very humbled by this and learned a great lesson in the joy of service. I am reminded to do these things more often: to go out of my way, to set my agenda aside and help others. In it is great satisfaction.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Mystic Lessons: The Value of Solitude
To live life in such vital context, I “Realize the value of solitude.” It has most often been in solitude where I have experienced my clearest perceptions and been most honest with myself. It is in the quiet moments that I feel most in touch with what is really real.
The trouble is that our world today produces so little solitude. We live in roaring suburbs inundated with a multitude of “noises.” Dancing images from the television, movies, and the internet distract us. Our headphones jam with latest tunes. Headlines scream. Radio hosts jabber. Bosses yell. Advertisers clamor. Technology rings, vibrates, buzzes, and hums. Amid all this, we must somehow sort through the cacophony to find harmony and peace. The best way to do this is to find a moment, a place, a breath of solitude.
That place may be may be at the top of a snow-covered mountain or in the brisk scent of a pine-filled valley. It may be on the shore of the ocean or bank of a gurgling brook. It might be at 30,000 feet in an airplane. But, most likely it will be a glass of iced tea on the front porch on a summer afternoon or a brisk walk through the neighborhood before the morning lurches to life. It will be on my knees in a chapel or beside my bed. It will be piddling in the garage or traveling to work in my car. In these alone moments, I listen to hear that inner voice that guides me. If I do not hear it, I feel lost and alone.
So, for me solitude is essential. And, I admit, I am not afraid of my own company. Sometimes, I particularly like being alone and I am perfectly content to take that glass of iced tea and shut myself away to enjoy some quiet. I just wish I could experience it more frequently. I need to take my own advice and make more quiet moments alone. Maybe more of my next steps in life would come into focus.
The trouble is that our world today produces so little solitude. We live in roaring suburbs inundated with a multitude of “noises.” Dancing images from the television, movies, and the internet distract us. Our headphones jam with latest tunes. Headlines scream. Radio hosts jabber. Bosses yell. Advertisers clamor. Technology rings, vibrates, buzzes, and hums. Amid all this, we must somehow sort through the cacophony to find harmony and peace. The best way to do this is to find a moment, a place, a breath of solitude.
That place may be may be at the top of a snow-covered mountain or in the brisk scent of a pine-filled valley. It may be on the shore of the ocean or bank of a gurgling brook. It might be at 30,000 feet in an airplane. But, most likely it will be a glass of iced tea on the front porch on a summer afternoon or a brisk walk through the neighborhood before the morning lurches to life. It will be on my knees in a chapel or beside my bed. It will be piddling in the garage or traveling to work in my car. In these alone moments, I listen to hear that inner voice that guides me. If I do not hear it, I feel lost and alone.
So, for me solitude is essential. And, I admit, I am not afraid of my own company. Sometimes, I particularly like being alone and I am perfectly content to take that glass of iced tea and shut myself away to enjoy some quiet. I just wish I could experience it more frequently. I need to take my own advice and make more quiet moments alone. Maybe more of my next steps in life would come into focus.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Mystic Lessons: Eternal in the Temporal
One of the greatest mysteries of all is to “Discover the eternal in the temporal.” Of course, many do not believe in the “eternal.” Some believe that all there is to living are the fleeting moments we walk this earth. I think that is far too narrow a view and it does not resonate well with a universe that requires millions of light years for us to view a single star! Rather I think the eternal is what grounds the temporal and gives it meaning.
Please allow me to describe what I mean. If there is no eternality, then the present is all we have. Extrapolated, that means there is no higher purpose or reason for living. Only the existential moment matters. The past becomes irrelevant. The future has no value. Only the now is. If this is the case, then it does not matter what one does or who one is. These are only figments of a society’s collective imagination.
If the past is irrelevant, one’s past transgressions or achievements are insignificant. If the future is valueless, then why strive for goals or avoid offenses? If the present only matters, then do what you will. Have fun or not. Believe or not. Be kind or not. Be faithful or not. Build or destroy. Succeed or fail. Give life or take it. None of it matters.
But, if eternality is reality, then everything matters. If my existence is tied to the past where I was made, the present where I exist, and the future where I may be, then every moment of my life matters. Who my parents were shapes me. Who I marry is significant. Who my children are is important. What I become is relevant. Whom I impact is momentous. And, what I do with every facet of my life for all of my life will matter or not based on the choices I make and the choices I influence.
This is why I take time to make to make decisions. This is why I love to talk to my Mom and Dad on the phone. This is why my heart warms at the laughter of my children. This is why I pause to consider the possibility of a Creator when I view nature or the universe. This why I strive for higher education, a broader circle of friends, lives to touch, and goals to achieve. In all these things I see the eternal moment where everything – yes, everything – matters.
Please allow me to describe what I mean. If there is no eternality, then the present is all we have. Extrapolated, that means there is no higher purpose or reason for living. Only the existential moment matters. The past becomes irrelevant. The future has no value. Only the now is. If this is the case, then it does not matter what one does or who one is. These are only figments of a society’s collective imagination.
If the past is irrelevant, one’s past transgressions or achievements are insignificant. If the future is valueless, then why strive for goals or avoid offenses? If the present only matters, then do what you will. Have fun or not. Believe or not. Be kind or not. Be faithful or not. Build or destroy. Succeed or fail. Give life or take it. None of it matters.
But, if eternality is reality, then everything matters. If my existence is tied to the past where I was made, the present where I exist, and the future where I may be, then every moment of my life matters. Who my parents were shapes me. Who I marry is significant. Who my children are is important. What I become is relevant. Whom I impact is momentous. And, what I do with every facet of my life for all of my life will matter or not based on the choices I make and the choices I influence.
This is why I take time to make to make decisions. This is why I love to talk to my Mom and Dad on the phone. This is why my heart warms at the laughter of my children. This is why I pause to consider the possibility of a Creator when I view nature or the universe. This why I strive for higher education, a broader circle of friends, lives to touch, and goals to achieve. In all these things I see the eternal moment where everything – yes, everything – matters.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Mystic Lessons: Meaning in Mystery
In the same manner, this is how I have tried to “Find meaning in mystery” – the next lesson of the mystics. I always look to my inner sensitivities to try to understand the “mysteries” in life. By definition, a mystery is something profound, not understood, or difficult to understand. This sounds like a whole lot of life to me. That is why this one is one of the tougher ones for me. I’m not sure I really know how to address it.
As an individual I always have wrestled with what I did not understand. My favorite question as a boy (much to my father’s friends’ chagrin) was, “Why?” I asked this question about everything and in all reality still ask it nearly every day of my life. I question the smallest things such as “why does that bolt go there?” But, I also am perplexed by larger questions such as “How can a loving God permit the molestation of an infant?” These are mysteries to me.
Somewhere in the middle are the mysteries of what the love of a wife or father means; who or what inputs the essence of soul into a child; how do we define beauty, and why do we love magnificence?
In these mysteries I find meaning every day. I may not be able to answer the questions or define their meanings, but I do relish being in the arms of my wife. I love my children fanatically. I notice the sunrise, and I pause with an intake of breath when I view a sky spangled with stars.
So how do I find meaning in mystery? I find the meaning when I stop trying to understand. I find meaning when I accept it for what it is whether I understand or not, and just revel in it. I guess that’s part of the mystery!
As an individual I always have wrestled with what I did not understand. My favorite question as a boy (much to my father’s friends’ chagrin) was, “Why?” I asked this question about everything and in all reality still ask it nearly every day of my life. I question the smallest things such as “why does that bolt go there?” But, I also am perplexed by larger questions such as “How can a loving God permit the molestation of an infant?” These are mysteries to me.
Somewhere in the middle are the mysteries of what the love of a wife or father means; who or what inputs the essence of soul into a child; how do we define beauty, and why do we love magnificence?
In these mysteries I find meaning every day. I may not be able to answer the questions or define their meanings, but I do relish being in the arms of my wife. I love my children fanatically. I notice the sunrise, and I pause with an intake of breath when I view a sky spangled with stars.
So how do I find meaning in mystery? I find the meaning when I stop trying to understand. I find meaning when I accept it for what it is whether I understand or not, and just revel in it. I guess that’s part of the mystery!
Friday, February 19, 2010
Mystic Lessons: Reality Within
Understanding lessons taught by the mystics – at least those listed in this paper – seems to me to be a lifelong venture. Some of these I barely comprehend at first blush. Others seem as familiar to me as my whole life. As I discuss them here, I will be exploring them “aloud” – thinking on paper.
“Look for the reality within” is the first lesson. There is a key word in this statement. It is a simple article: “the.” If one was to say, “Look for reality within,” many would agree with the idea and many would state that in some manner they have found some level of reality within themselves at some point in their lives. However, to say, “Look for the reality within,” speaks to several ideas including the possibilities of a single higher purpose or existence, an alternate dimension of understanding greater than mere day-to-day sensory perception, or the existence of an underlying fundamental reality shared by all. I think the mystics would have agreed with the latter definition.
As with all things, it is one thing to comprehend a concept, another to analyze it in one’s self and a different thing altogether to delineate it. I can honestly say that I have looked for reality within myself all my life. It is as much a part of who I am as is my environment and upbringing.
Raised in a family where spirituality and a “God-ward” outlook were encouraged, I was sensitive to conscience at an early age. Particularly in my teenage years as my perception of the world broadened and my exposure to new ideas and cultures enlarged, I found my reliance on my inner “voice” increasing.
When confronted with ideas that questioned core beliefs I held, I relied on my inner sensitivity to sort out what was logical, what was right and wrong, and what was true. I carefully compared ideas, weighed their ramifications, and considered their consequences, always listening within myself for that inner confirmation that I was on the right track.
Today, I still listen for that inward sense although, as an adult, it is often hidden in a cacophony of other voices. I constantly strive to align my living with what I believe to be true and most important in life. When it does not align, I feel off-balance and uncertain. I would say then, that the inward voice propels me to remain on an even keel and to maintain a realistic big-picture perspective on life.
So, in many ways, the reality within me shapes the outward expressions of reality in my existence. As I mentioned before, I was much more aware of the inner voice as a teenager and young adult. As I have moved into adulthood, its keenness has faded some. To return to a point where I can once again shape my world with a reliance on what I believe to be fundamentally true, I need to spend more time in quiet meditation and study to once again be in tune.
If a cellist holds his instrument next to a piano, when the piano keys are struck, the corresponding notes will sound from the cello strings even though it has not been played. The cello strings are resonating at the same frequency as the sound waves emanating from the piano. In the same way, I want to be in tune with that inner voice so that my life resonates with what is good and true.
“Look for the reality within” is the first lesson. There is a key word in this statement. It is a simple article: “the.” If one was to say, “Look for reality within,” many would agree with the idea and many would state that in some manner they have found some level of reality within themselves at some point in their lives. However, to say, “Look for the reality within,” speaks to several ideas including the possibilities of a single higher purpose or existence, an alternate dimension of understanding greater than mere day-to-day sensory perception, or the existence of an underlying fundamental reality shared by all. I think the mystics would have agreed with the latter definition.
As with all things, it is one thing to comprehend a concept, another to analyze it in one’s self and a different thing altogether to delineate it. I can honestly say that I have looked for reality within myself all my life. It is as much a part of who I am as is my environment and upbringing.
Raised in a family where spirituality and a “God-ward” outlook were encouraged, I was sensitive to conscience at an early age. Particularly in my teenage years as my perception of the world broadened and my exposure to new ideas and cultures enlarged, I found my reliance on my inner “voice” increasing.
When confronted with ideas that questioned core beliefs I held, I relied on my inner sensitivity to sort out what was logical, what was right and wrong, and what was true. I carefully compared ideas, weighed their ramifications, and considered their consequences, always listening within myself for that inner confirmation that I was on the right track.
Today, I still listen for that inward sense although, as an adult, it is often hidden in a cacophony of other voices. I constantly strive to align my living with what I believe to be true and most important in life. When it does not align, I feel off-balance and uncertain. I would say then, that the inward voice propels me to remain on an even keel and to maintain a realistic big-picture perspective on life.
So, in many ways, the reality within me shapes the outward expressions of reality in my existence. As I mentioned before, I was much more aware of the inner voice as a teenager and young adult. As I have moved into adulthood, its keenness has faded some. To return to a point where I can once again shape my world with a reliance on what I believe to be fundamentally true, I need to spend more time in quiet meditation and study to once again be in tune.
If a cellist holds his instrument next to a piano, when the piano keys are struck, the corresponding notes will sound from the cello strings even though it has not been played. The cello strings are resonating at the same frequency as the sound waves emanating from the piano. In the same way, I want to be in tune with that inner voice so that my life resonates with what is good and true.
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