Cleansing the Vision

Much religious literature on the spiritual life deals with the concept of stages, as though spirituality can be likened to getting a degree.

I recognize that yes, the spiritual life unfolds something similar to human development: we progress from a child to adolescent to adult. But I would rather think of our spiritual journey as one of transcending.We desire and search, and gradually the mist burns away because a fire has been lit from within. We are not so much ascending to a higher level as we are deepening our understanding of things we've always had, but not appreciated. So our vision becomes a bit clearer and our understanding broader. We find we continue with the same practices, we just use them in a different way. In my beginnings my meditation was labored and somewhat structured. I still meditate, but how very different it is  now!

I say this because I see a danger in stages, in ascending, as though we can reach a plateau where we know better than others. And how very dangerous that kind of thinking is. In some sense, we are all beginners, because we must be converted and turned to the Lord every waking moment of our lives. And in some sense we all have a part of heaven tucked into our heart and soul with some understanding that is given to us alone, one we can share with others or keep to ourselves.

So lay down seeking perfection. Seek instead a greater openness to the spirit, a clearer vision, the knowledge to see what you already have in a new light. Remember Jesus words, "Behold, I make all this new" (Rev. 21:4).