For Lent I have committed to 40 days of cleaning. I began with scrubbing the floors.
There is a long tradition among spiritual communities of getting on one's hands and knees and scrubbing the floor. I admit that I have not imagined this to be edifying.
Nothing remarkable occurred on Day 1 except that the floor at the top of the landing looks spectacular and I'm quite proud of it.
My task was made the more difficult as I must use my left hand to scrub in order to protect the right shoulder as it recovers from a mild injury. No right handed scrubbing. This was difficult. My left hand is much weaker and much less coordinated. Do I get extra points for difficulty I wonder.
As I was scrubbing away I became disturbed by how dirty the water was. By the time I finished I could not see the sponge as it sank below the top of the water. That was gross.
I note that the experience was not much different then my meditations at times. Thoughts floated up and were woven into the scrubbing. I thought about my day, things done and left undone. Things done well; things lacking. Many things lacking. A few things done well. I recalled my two Ash Wednesday sermons; things left in, things left out; things forgotten, things received from a much higher place. There I like to preserve myself in that moment of receiving and giving forth. Tuned in, tapped in, turned on, as someone I know describes it. I savored the satisfaction and goodness of that sublime grace with certain gratitude upon my knees. Scrub, scrub.
Thursday, February 15, 2018
150 Pathways to God: #10 Translating eagle
It was an early morning drive down Pine Creek near a well-known trout fishing area. I was enjoying the crisp, cool morning air and the way the sun was painting the road with shadows of the tree-lined narrow road. A bald eagle suddenly flew down and sat on a tree branch directly in front of me as I came around the slight bend in the road and crossed the little bridge. I'd never been so close to a bald eagle. He was superb! I slowed my car and stopped and starred at him out of the front windshield. We starred at each other for quite some time. I was transfixed by his majesty. I couldn't wait to get home to look at my Signs and Symbols book to read about the significant of such of sighting. I was absolutely sure it meant something important - a bald eagle after all!
I got home and hurried to looked it up to translate the event into meaning. I read what the book suggested and tried to relate it to my life. But it fell short somehow.
Later, someone much wiser then me pointed out the following sentiment:
The bird was just being who he was in his aligned natural state with the Creator. In my playful state of wonder about the created world and observing it with happiness and joy riding down the road I was aligned with the Creator as well. At the intersection of common alignment with our spiritual being-ness, the bird revealed himself. Knowing that in that moment we were on equal ground he came out to play. His presence in the world was bold and uninhibited, his "being" as pure eagle-ness, not worried about anything, not regretting anything from the past or anxious about the future, just showing up fully present and communicating nothing beyond that raw being-ness. I was sitting in my car as pure eagle-ness too. We are bound together
he and I,
he and I and the tree,
he and I and the tree and the creek,
he and I and the tree and the creek and the grass,
he and I and the tree and the creek and the grass and the fish in the creek,
he and I and the tree and the creek, and the grass and the fish in the creek and the rocks on the side of the road,
he and I and the tree and the creek, and the grass and the fish in the creek and the rocks on the side of the road and the clear blue sky....
We all breathed a single breath and said in our hearts: How sweet it is to know the knowing-ness of our being-ness.
No translation for that was ever necessary.
I got home and hurried to looked it up to translate the event into meaning. I read what the book suggested and tried to relate it to my life. But it fell short somehow.
Later, someone much wiser then me pointed out the following sentiment:
The bird was just being who he was in his aligned natural state with the Creator. In my playful state of wonder about the created world and observing it with happiness and joy riding down the road I was aligned with the Creator as well. At the intersection of common alignment with our spiritual being-ness, the bird revealed himself. Knowing that in that moment we were on equal ground he came out to play. His presence in the world was bold and uninhibited, his "being" as pure eagle-ness, not worried about anything, not regretting anything from the past or anxious about the future, just showing up fully present and communicating nothing beyond that raw being-ness. I was sitting in my car as pure eagle-ness too. We are bound together
he and I,
he and I and the tree,
he and I and the tree and the creek,
he and I and the tree and the creek and the grass,
he and I and the tree and the creek and the grass and the fish in the creek,
he and I and the tree and the creek, and the grass and the fish in the creek and the rocks on the side of the road,
he and I and the tree and the creek, and the grass and the fish in the creek and the rocks on the side of the road and the clear blue sky....
We all breathed a single breath and said in our hearts: How sweet it is to know the knowing-ness of our being-ness.
No translation for that was ever necessary.
Wednesday, February 14, 2018
150 Pathways to God, #9, Beginning with ashes
A friend of mine told me of this incident. She was sitting at her dressing table one morning and reached for her face powder. It is a little jar with a lid and a separate brush. She went to pick it up and found that she was only holding the lid. She searched the whole table but the bottom of the jar with the powder was no where to be found. She was very annoyed at first but then she got distracted by other things, making the bed and folding laundry, and after a while she came back and sat at the dressing table again and there was the powder, three inches from the lid. At first she thought she might be loosing her mind, but then, the greater part of her reminded her that it was only her belief that the powder was missing that ruled over her ability to see it. And that only when she was distracted by unrelated things and came back to it fresh, with new eyes, that she could see it there in plain sight.
The spiritual life is very much like this. Beliefs are things we tell ourselves over and over again. They influence greatly the way we perceive the world, the people in it, and the roles we play in life. And we get so used to those beliefs that very often we lose sight of the powder that is right in front of us because we believe it is not there. It is in fact hidden from us for as long as we hold tightly on to that belief.
If you've been hanging around churches for a while you've been taught some things that you have been thinking again and again until they are now beliefs that you hold. If you haven't been hanging around churches much at all, you've been taught some things too, culturally inseminated into your subconscious and repeated enough by you and others as to make those things beliefs. Everyone holds beliefs. Many people, most people, in fact, hold very tightly onto their beliefs and until there is a major shift in perspective they are prevented from seeing a fuller picture. If you believe that you have received all truth and there is nothing left for the spirit to teach you then you suffer from arrogance and that is a very serious obstacle in the spiritual life. No one receives the fullness of the truth in this life but the more that is gained, day by day, the richer and happier is life.
In the last couple of years I have been adjusting to life from the vantage point of the empty nest. My children are grown now and out working in the world as young adults. I had so many beliefs about who I was in relation to my role as mother. That role has changed dramatically. My beliefs have shifted. I hold much looser to what I understand about motherhood now. I am able to see beyond my former beliefs and live into something that is better then was before.
This is the danger of the spiritual life, religious or not. We can easily attach to things that seems to "work" or make sense or feel right in that moment. And we settle there. We think and talk about things again and again until we claim them as our own beliefs. Sometimes, after a while, and if they don't serve us well, those beliefs become walls that keep us from seeing things, like the powder jar that is right in front of us. We are unable to see beyond our beliefs; and there is so much more to see. Sometimes we can't receive the very thing the Holy Spirit is presenting to us day after day. But no worries, the Spirit is patient. It leads us continually to the discovery of greater things that enrich our lives and in turn inspire us to improve the world we live in. But we must be in the receiving mode.
That is the opportunity of the Lenten season. With the ashes we are reminded of the natural cycle of life that we humans share with all other created things. We are reminded of the flow of life from birth until death on this earthly plane and then our birth into eternal life. Life is never ending. So do not let the ashes be a sign of endings. Let them be a sign of awakening. Instead of using the ashes to concrete your long held beliefs, lets them be a door that invites you into a deeper place. During the Lent season I invite you to question all your beliefs. Where did your beliefs come from? Do they serve you well? Do they make your life rich and full or do they inhibit your growth and blind you from seeing what is right in front of you?
If you believe that you have made many mistakes in your life and you have regrets then with these ashes I invite you to let go of all of that and be open to the idea that life is simply full of moments that force us to grow and expand beyond the rigid belief we have of who we are. That is all. I invite you to see yourself through the eyes of God, who sees us only as good and worthy and highly valued. That is all. The truth of that is right in front of you. If you cannot see it then your beliefs are blinding you.
I recommend that during these forty days you practice being in the receiving mode; that is open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. You cannot see beyond your present beliefs if you are not open to receiving new information.
The first thing to do is to ask. If you ask it will be given to you. Then be quiet. Stop talking so much. Listen instead. Listen closely. Develop a practice of being quiet and listening. Don't be strict about it - just attentive to the practice.
Meditate for 15 minutes every day. No more, no less. There is no wasted meditation. You can't get it wrong. Think of it as focused time to practice being quiet and listening. Let go of any expected outcome.
Eat food that is light and simple that will nurture and nourish you. Heavy, rich foods do not foster a clean spiritual connection. Giving up chocolate is intuitively correct, but that is not nearly enough. For 40 days make a serious effort to clean up your diet.
Walk 30 minutes a day outside in the fresh air. There is no substitute for nature. The natural world is your home; return to it each day, especially if you are stressed or anxious. Running water is very helpful. Sit by a stream and breath deeply and imagine your problems flowing downstream and being gently absorbed by mother earth.
Clean up your environment. Don't leave dirty dishes. Make your bed. One of the best practices you can do is to scrub the floor on your hands and knees, even a little bit several times a week. If you can't get on the floor, dust the furniture, polish the silver, or your shoes. Clean something that requires your attention and some physical labor.
The truth is, in spiritual matters, we can be a little sloppy. If you do one or two of these things with some degree of intentionality you will be in the receiving mode. Then you really will have something to celebrate on Easter. You will see what was hidden from you before.
The spiritual life is very much like this. Beliefs are things we tell ourselves over and over again. They influence greatly the way we perceive the world, the people in it, and the roles we play in life. And we get so used to those beliefs that very often we lose sight of the powder that is right in front of us because we believe it is not there. It is in fact hidden from us for as long as we hold tightly on to that belief.
If you've been hanging around churches for a while you've been taught some things that you have been thinking again and again until they are now beliefs that you hold. If you haven't been hanging around churches much at all, you've been taught some things too, culturally inseminated into your subconscious and repeated enough by you and others as to make those things beliefs. Everyone holds beliefs. Many people, most people, in fact, hold very tightly onto their beliefs and until there is a major shift in perspective they are prevented from seeing a fuller picture. If you believe that you have received all truth and there is nothing left for the spirit to teach you then you suffer from arrogance and that is a very serious obstacle in the spiritual life. No one receives the fullness of the truth in this life but the more that is gained, day by day, the richer and happier is life.
In the last couple of years I have been adjusting to life from the vantage point of the empty nest. My children are grown now and out working in the world as young adults. I had so many beliefs about who I was in relation to my role as mother. That role has changed dramatically. My beliefs have shifted. I hold much looser to what I understand about motherhood now. I am able to see beyond my former beliefs and live into something that is better then was before.
This is the danger of the spiritual life, religious or not. We can easily attach to things that seems to "work" or make sense or feel right in that moment. And we settle there. We think and talk about things again and again until we claim them as our own beliefs. Sometimes, after a while, and if they don't serve us well, those beliefs become walls that keep us from seeing things, like the powder jar that is right in front of us. We are unable to see beyond our beliefs; and there is so much more to see. Sometimes we can't receive the very thing the Holy Spirit is presenting to us day after day. But no worries, the Spirit is patient. It leads us continually to the discovery of greater things that enrich our lives and in turn inspire us to improve the world we live in. But we must be in the receiving mode.
That is the opportunity of the Lenten season. With the ashes we are reminded of the natural cycle of life that we humans share with all other created things. We are reminded of the flow of life from birth until death on this earthly plane and then our birth into eternal life. Life is never ending. So do not let the ashes be a sign of endings. Let them be a sign of awakening. Instead of using the ashes to concrete your long held beliefs, lets them be a door that invites you into a deeper place. During the Lent season I invite you to question all your beliefs. Where did your beliefs come from? Do they serve you well? Do they make your life rich and full or do they inhibit your growth and blind you from seeing what is right in front of you?
If you believe that you have made many mistakes in your life and you have regrets then with these ashes I invite you to let go of all of that and be open to the idea that life is simply full of moments that force us to grow and expand beyond the rigid belief we have of who we are. That is all. I invite you to see yourself through the eyes of God, who sees us only as good and worthy and highly valued. That is all. The truth of that is right in front of you. If you cannot see it then your beliefs are blinding you.
I recommend that during these forty days you practice being in the receiving mode; that is open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. You cannot see beyond your present beliefs if you are not open to receiving new information.
The first thing to do is to ask. If you ask it will be given to you. Then be quiet. Stop talking so much. Listen instead. Listen closely. Develop a practice of being quiet and listening. Don't be strict about it - just attentive to the practice.
Meditate for 15 minutes every day. No more, no less. There is no wasted meditation. You can't get it wrong. Think of it as focused time to practice being quiet and listening. Let go of any expected outcome.
Eat food that is light and simple that will nurture and nourish you. Heavy, rich foods do not foster a clean spiritual connection. Giving up chocolate is intuitively correct, but that is not nearly enough. For 40 days make a serious effort to clean up your diet.
Walk 30 minutes a day outside in the fresh air. There is no substitute for nature. The natural world is your home; return to it each day, especially if you are stressed or anxious. Running water is very helpful. Sit by a stream and breath deeply and imagine your problems flowing downstream and being gently absorbed by mother earth.
Clean up your environment. Don't leave dirty dishes. Make your bed. One of the best practices you can do is to scrub the floor on your hands and knees, even a little bit several times a week. If you can't get on the floor, dust the furniture, polish the silver, or your shoes. Clean something that requires your attention and some physical labor.
The truth is, in spiritual matters, we can be a little sloppy. If you do one or two of these things with some degree of intentionality you will be in the receiving mode. Then you really will have something to celebrate on Easter. You will see what was hidden from you before.
Friday, February 2, 2018
150 Pathways to God: #8 Messages From the Windows
From guest contributor: Cheryl Hein Walters, Harpist, Saint James' Episcopal Church
I stretch with an amazing woman at DIY (Do It Yourself) Yoga most days, before working hours. She IS CIRCUS yoga. She can be lying on her back and with one fluid motion, stand straight up to vertical- with no hands. Not a word of a grunt. She can be vertical, yet bend over backwards to an arch position, tummy to the sky, so that only her hands and feet touch the mat, wheel-position. And of course, she is correct, "CIRCUS" is neither accurate nor respectful. Her yoga is not for display or entertainment. Yet still, it is a WOW to see what a thirty-year, most-days practice can do for strength, flexibility and peace. She is a believer in a Divine Connection, as am I. So as I stretch, I was delighted when the trucks outside the yoga studio windows started carrying messages straight to me.
On an ordinary day, I was in the zone, blissed out at the end of a challenging, yet oh-so-satisfying yoga hour. As I stood, a truck went by with the slogan, "Stronger For Your Success" written in white on the black side panel. The next day, same thing, same truck~ and I saw the rest of the company name. "Klein" means 'small' in German, and rhymes with my German-American maiden name. Smaller but stronger, ha! Only ONE of the reasons I do daily yoga.
Months later, closer to Christmas, I was meditating after yoga, asking for peace during our upcoming
visit with a particular whack-a-doodle relative and just as I stood up, a large crane went by with the
words "KEEP CLEAR" written on the boom arm. I repeated those sage words all thru the holidays and we had one of the best visits yet. Least fights witnessed, most fun had. Whaaaat? You mean MY
attitude is part of the issue here...?
The latest message from the windows made me break the serene, breathing-only silence of the studio,
laughing out loud. I was sending 'arrow' prayers up at the end of my stretch, "Help me get back on
track", "Help me change my no-holds-barred-it's-a-holiday-anyway- eating", and "Let me do Your will". As I stood up, a long, grey, double line of Port-A-Potties went by the windows on a flat bed truck.Oh, Universe, you are so delicious. Got it. Get rid of the crap. Drop what's no longer needed, physically and mentally.
A New Year is upon us! Opportunity cries: Be free! Joy awaits! May all YOUR messages be of freedom, peace, and may you. drop. the. crap. And may Divine Humor also be yours- Look for it.
I stretch with an amazing woman at DIY (Do It Yourself) Yoga most days, before working hours. She IS CIRCUS yoga. She can be lying on her back and with one fluid motion, stand straight up to vertical- with no hands. Not a word of a grunt. She can be vertical, yet bend over backwards to an arch position, tummy to the sky, so that only her hands and feet touch the mat, wheel-position. And of course, she is correct, "CIRCUS" is neither accurate nor respectful. Her yoga is not for display or entertainment. Yet still, it is a WOW to see what a thirty-year, most-days practice can do for strength, flexibility and peace. She is a believer in a Divine Connection, as am I. So as I stretch, I was delighted when the trucks outside the yoga studio windows started carrying messages straight to me.
On an ordinary day, I was in the zone, blissed out at the end of a challenging, yet oh-so-satisfying yoga hour. As I stood, a truck went by with the slogan, "Stronger For Your Success" written in white on the black side panel. The next day, same thing, same truck~ and I saw the rest of the company name. "Klein" means 'small' in German, and rhymes with my German-American maiden name. Smaller but stronger, ha! Only ONE of the reasons I do daily yoga.
Months later, closer to Christmas, I was meditating after yoga, asking for peace during our upcoming
visit with a particular whack-a-doodle relative and just as I stood up, a large crane went by with the
words "KEEP CLEAR" written on the boom arm. I repeated those sage words all thru the holidays and we had one of the best visits yet. Least fights witnessed, most fun had. Whaaaat? You mean MY
attitude is part of the issue here...?
The latest message from the windows made me break the serene, breathing-only silence of the studio,
laughing out loud. I was sending 'arrow' prayers up at the end of my stretch, "Help me get back on
track", "Help me change my no-holds-barred-it's-a-holiday-anyway- eating", and "Let me do Your will". As I stood up, a long, grey, double line of Port-A-Potties went by the windows on a flat bed truck.Oh, Universe, you are so delicious. Got it. Get rid of the crap. Drop what's no longer needed, physically and mentally.
A New Year is upon us! Opportunity cries: Be free! Joy awaits! May all YOUR messages be of freedom, peace, and may you. drop. the. crap. And may Divine Humor also be yours- Look for it.
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