Becoming

Last evening, I stood at my window and watched the setting sun turn the sky into a vast arrays of reds and purples, colors that give a whole new look to a pretty regular looking sky, and I thought about some of my recent readings on the desert dwellers.  Some of the teachings of the Abbas and Ammas of the desert are deep and rich, and deserve to be cultivated.  But some of their writings reflects more of the spirituality of their times, especially an extraordinary hatred of the flesh. 

We now know that such hatred is counter to good spirituality and to stable mental health, to a wholeness that heals and a balance that protects us from illusion. And I wondered, should we not be producing new Abbas and Ammas of the desert with a spirituality resonate with present understanding of God and appreciation for nature? Should not we ourselves become the new Abbas and Ammas of the desert?

For what is the desert but our own interior journey, one that at times is filled with dryness, emptiness and tepidity. And where is that desert if not in our own thoughts and spirits struggling to make sense of it all, to make it all matter by seeing with eyes of faith. I would bet that not a single follower of true spirituality can say that she or he has not undergone such a desert in life. And I am just as sure that such followers have found richness, depth, and transformation from walking through these very deserts of the soul. 

Your thoughts should be written down. Your thoughts should encourage us with dialogue, reflections, and insights.

You are a real desert Abba or Amma.  Would you be willing to share your thoughts with us?

Sharing the Joys of Journey

Recently I attended a conference on Meditation. The meeting was open to all faiths and beliefs. As I listened to others speak about their meditation practices, I realized more clearly just how necessary it is to be on a journey to understand what it is all about. If you aren't on the journey, then such things as faith, silence, destination will mean little. It would be like watching cricket while having no clue to the rules or purpose of the game. Interesting, perhaps, but not exciting.

To be excited about the journey, one needs practical experience of it. But there is something more...those of us actively pursuing our journeys need to share our thoughts and goals with one another. Such sharing enriches, comforts, encourages, enlightens, and generally assists.

I encourage you to share your journey with someone. Talk about the process, the humiliating failures (they can be quite comical), the deep insights, the joy of pursuing something as wonderful as God. By sharing your journey, you can reap rich rewards.