Good morning dear friends in whom I see the mystery we call God
“You don’t have to like it; you just have to do it”
At The Chautauqua Institution, my wife took a course in MBSR – Mindfullness-Based Stress Reduction – based on the book by Jon Kabit-Zinn (Full Catastrophe Living: Using the Wisdom of Your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain, and Illness). It was first published in 1990, recently re-published with a preface by Thich Nhat Hahn. This meditation program is used in medical centers worldwide and there are hundreds of thousands benefitting from the program. What they say about the program is “You don’t have to like it; you just have to do it.” I know so many of you have a meditation practice as part of your daily spiritual disciplines. You understand this statement. It is your practice. My wife is starting a new practice.
The Chautauqua Institution is a place for people of all faiths and races finding a way to live together in peace. I took Mystic Heart Meditation courses from three different teachers from different faith orientations. Largely, it was 20 minutes of silent meditation, 1-2 minutes of silent standing, stretching, followed by another 20 minutes of silent meditation. Silence is a mysterious grounding, healing, centering practice. And again, you do it, not because you like it, but because it is a practice that brings insight, wellness, deep meaning. It brings you home to your true self and home to the mystery we call God. And they are one in the same.
We are learning faith is not a belief system, concepts, dogma, creeds, but more it is a daily practice, the way one lives life, what one does with one’s life. Deeds not creeds. The question is not: “What is your faith?” But, what is your practice? Faith at work. A friend of mine is the President of Faith Works. The name is so fitting. The book of James tells us that “faith without works is dead.”
So this morning, I am asking you about your spiritual disciplines, your faith practices of prayer, meditation, contemplation, deeds of compassionate service to others. How are you putting your faith to work in our world? How is the balance between your self interest and the interest of the common good? Jesus was a man for others. All spiritual leaders point us towards love and service to others. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
Some daily practice of centering, of prayer or meditation is necessary. You learn to do it. You don’t have to like it. It may be the best thing you ever do for yourself and others. Listen to the words of St. Augustine – maybe read them twice.
O beauty ever ancient, ever new.
Too late have I loved you.
I was outside and you were within me.
And I never found you until I found
You within me.
Mindful meditation and prayer bring you home to yourself, the journey inward, and centering you in compassion leads you out to love and serve others, the journey outward. This is the dance of receiving and giving, the dance of life, the celebration of our mutuality with all life.
Speaking of a Universal or a Cosmic Christ, Bede Griffiths writes: “This is a hidden mystery. We look into the depths of our being and find this hidden mystery. In Christian terms you have discovered yourself in God. In the words of St. Paul in Ephesians 3, The mystery long hidden is revealed, it is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” And I believe with my whole heart that God is hidden within each and every one of us. The Quakers speak of the light within us all. In all of life, we discover the mystery of God’s presence.
Music is such a gift for prayer and meditation. Please listen to the music. Allow the music, the images and the words to flow into you. Listen with a quiet mind and an open heart. Savor and absorb the music. Who knows, listen for the feeling, it may awaken something within you.
“Just to be is a blessing. Just to live is holy.”
-Abraham Joshua Heschel
Let your heart take courage
We are all sparks of the Divine flame
Blessed Be
Boldly Be
Compassionate Be
