Vigilance
Beyond focus, it’s a careful watch for possible danger.
But also, it’s a careful watch for movement of the Spirit.
Sustained concentration, although that is impossible for humans.
Vigilance implies alertness, staying awake, not losing attention amidst the endless stream of thoughts.
Vigilance requires mindfulness.
We surely have all met people along our journeys who tell us that they have heard the voice of God. Then they proceed to do or say something bizarre.
Paul wrote to the gathering of followers in Rome, “It is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are Children of God.” Romans 8:16
John Wesley pondered that thought and wrote, “How many have mistaken the voice of their own imagination for this witness of the Spirit of God, and thence idly presumed they were the children of God while they were doing the works of the Devil!”
This resembles the question, “How do you know that you are not self-aware?”
How do you know that it simply your own imagination, your own cognitive biases rather than the Spirit talking to you?
For me, the answer to the first question came from an incident where I suddenly saw myself as others saw me. Sometimes it takes an intervention by friends or a statement by a speaker where we suddenly have our eyes opened.
The second answer may have been provoked by a similar incident. We could also test our ideas with Scripture and/or respected spiritual writers. Conversations with mentors or professionals could guide us if we have strayed from the path.
Becoming aware of straying onto a false path or of deluding ourselves constitutes our life’s work.
Narcissism is the shame-based fear of being ordinary.—Brené Brown.
We commonly toss the word narcissism to label those who seem annoyingly self centered. Usually we are describing someone we tire of easily due to their one-sided conversations.
There is a disorder listed in the psychologist’s diagnostic manual. Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is a personality disorder characterized by a life-long pattern of exaggerated feelings of self-importance, an excessive need for admiration, and a diminished ability to empathize with other people’s feelings.
If you have met someone with the disorder and especially if you must work with this person, my suggestion is to run. Remove yourself from the situation.
Short of disorder, though, we should all reflect upon our own behaviors. How much do we wish to not appear ordinary such that our conversations tend to focus not only on ourselves but especially upon our exploits that make us appear extraordinary?
If as a follower of Jesus we incorporate his teachings into our lives to first love God and then also love those around us (our neighbor), then we are focusing our thoughts and lives on others. Sort of the opposite of common narcissism.
Perhaps in being ordinary followers, we actually wind up being extraordinary as a byproduct!
The transition from tenseness, self-responsibility, and worry to equanimity, receptivity, and peace is the most wonderful of all those shiftings of inner equilibrium, those changes of personal center of energy. -William James, 1902
Matthew wrote in his story of Jesus that the ministry began with Jesus inviting people to repent. This was also the message of his predecessor, John (the Baptizer).
This observation from William James captures something of that joy and release of energy that comes from changing our life perspective. Something called repentance.
Hot town, summer in the city, back of my neck feeling dirty and gritty–The Lovin’ Spoonful.
Summer arrives at its peak months. Heat builds to a consistent 90 F (32 C). Humidity, liking consistency, matches the 90 with 90%.
The atmosphere reaches the point of too much pressure. It cannot live with such conditions.
Lightning dangerously connects heaven and earth. Thunder jars startled ears. Rain violently strikes everything in the open.
Then it’s over. The air is cool and clear.
Just so with us. The pressure of annoyances, insecurities, fears fills our viscera reaching the mind. We explode venomous words to whomever happens to be near.
Unlike nature, this seldom clears the air. This storm damages what it touches.
Better for us humans is the self awareness of feeling the pressures beginning and dealing with them with intention.
Deep breath. A walk in nature alone. Baroque music.
Finding a gentle release saving relationships and mental health. Restoring the soul.
Reading from a philosopher today—it seems there are two kinds of people.
One type needs to be told things. They crave authority. “Tell me what to believe,” they clamor. “Tell me how to act.” In other words, tell me how to be in the cool kids group. Tell me how much I am better than “them.”
The second type goes their own way. They believe they think for themselves. “Don’t tell me what to do or how to think,” said I in my late adolescent years. Therein lies the Baby Boomer predicament. Many just either want to be contrarian or at least different.
But there is a third. My favorite pastime is finding alternatives from dichotomies. This person houses an infinitely curious intelligence. Maybe if I read enough, or listen to a wide variety of people, or think deeply on other issues, then I might find a better path. This person believes that no one knows everything, not even themselves.
I was trained long ago to speak and write as if I knew what I was talking about. They told me to sound confident, forceful, knowledgeable—even though I might just be putting forth a proposition expecting pushback and discussion.
This thought from Seth Godin recently came my way.
One of the valid complaints about some AI systems is that they make stuff up, with confidence, and without sourcing, and then argue when challenged.
Unsurprisingly, this sounds a lot like people. We often end up with what we are willing to tolerate. Show your work and ask for receipts.
Then I thought of the many people I’ve known who are so convinced of their opinion as the only way. They speak with complete confidence in their being correct.
Maybe I need to find a way to be more humble and invite discussion. Maybe we all need to achieve the self-awareness that reflects back to us that we don’t know it all. Sorry if you think you do—you don’t.
Wisdom from the Desert Fathers:
Abba Poemen said, ‘Teach your mouth to say what is in your heart.’
This is difficult for some of us. Maybe we have no awareness of what is in our heart.
Maybe we go with impulsive feelings rather than what is deep within us. (Especially when we have fingers to keyboard and social media applications open.)
This reminds me of the wisdom found in the Letter of James. And, remember, Jesus is always concerned with the state of our hearts. Let us get it right.
Have you ever met someone so full of themselves that there is no room left for empathy?
Perhaps it is that person in the mirror in the morning?
The world revolves around them, they think. For some that is a deeply seated feeling where they just feel and know that others are merely accessories. They exist to serve us, bolster our esteem, bring us things, console us.
A jar is only useful when it is empty. Think of the potentials of an empty jar. It can save lives by ferrying water. It can bring grain to the hungry. It can be a tool to help us share from our bounty to someone in need.
We can only be useful (and healthy) through the emptying of our selfish thoughts and cravings. Empty, we now can feel empathy for another so that we may reach out in love to serve where needed. A kind word, a meal, a ride to the doctor.
We empty ourselves before meditation in order to allow room for the entrance of the Holy Spirit. Filled with the spirit—or even just a half-tank—we have the energy for service and caring and love.
Sometimes we need reminders. We forget certain things. Or we need something lying just below the surface to be brought to our attention.
When I pray the Lord’s Prayer (or Our Father in other traditions), sometimes one of the phrases hits me. It reminds me to pay attention and perhaps take some action.
Maybe I need to remember to acknowledge God and all the power that emanates from the Source.
Ah, there are things I need for daily life that I need to thank God for.
Yes, there are things I’ve recently done or left undone for which I need forgiveness.
Perhaps there are offenses someone has visited upon me that I need to forgive and get it out of my system.
Maybe there’s something on my horizon that I need to feel the healing and leading of the Spirit to get through.
And maybe today I just need to acknowledge that all doesn’t depend upon me because there is a supreme power in the universe into which I can connect if I but acknowledge it.
Paying attention to each phrase, I can get a quick heart status, feel tapped into the Spirit, and refreshed reenter daily life.
Gary Mintchell
Faith Venture 