To journey is to discover. We discover by entering ever more deeply into the world of the spirit, the world of the unseen, the unknown, the hidden. As we enter there, we become different people, and we learn to walk the path of life with different attitudes and eyes. This is how one advances in the spiritual life.
Some
writers of spirituality speak of this journey as though we were
climbing a ladder. Each rung represents a different stage, a higher one.
But this view of the spiritual life tends to stigmatize. Stages means
some are higher and some are at the bottom. And we all know how Jesus
felt about that.
The
spiritual life is different. Though there is a gradual development, a
learning curve, it is more of an awakening to presence. 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 understand
them differently.
According
to the Abbas and Ammas of the desert, the journey is all about
transformation. In some sense, we remain always beginners, because we
awaken continually to new understandings and visions. It involves
finding that "new" element in our spirituality, that bit of heaven
tucked into our heart and soul, a new understanding that is given to us
alone, one we can share with others or keep to ourselves.
So
put aside those books that would assign steps to your journey. Seek
newness of life in each day, the knowledge to see what you already have
in a better light. If you do, you will understand the words of
Revelation: "Behold, I make all things new" (21:4).
No comments:
Post a Comment