Posts Tagged ‘Spirituality’

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »

Spiritual Seekers

August 27, 2013

My life has been a journey of spiritual seeking. Because of that orientation, I’ve read writings, analyses and biographies of many spiritual seekers of many traditions. There is one glaring hole in my search–Muhammad.

My wife and I watched the documentary / biography of Muhammad that aired over PBS last weekend. Didn’t learn a lot. But it did start some interesting thinking.

Muhammad’s sayings were written and collected by his followers and compiled in a book called the Qur’an or Koran. Essentially these were teachings on the many revelations he received from God–the God of Abraham. Because of these, he is revered as a prophet of God.

Since I’ve studied philosophy and religion at the university, I have a certain attitude toward scholars in that area. Many try to maintain some sort of scholarly skepticism toward that which they study and teach. None in the documentary came out directly skeptical about Muhammad experiencing revelations, but I picked up some of that attitude during the interviews.

I’m not suspicious of revelations in general, they just need to be tested. There are too many so-called revelations that are delusional. From what I picked up from the series plus what little reliable commenting I’ve read make it seem like his revelations bear the test quite well.

The world was multi-cultural back then. Medina’s residents included Jews, Christians and pagans, as well as Muhammad’s followers. Not that it isn’t now, but we really seem to have adopted the rural attitude that everyone should be just like us. They all lived together quite nicely until economics entered the picture. What is the saying, money is the root of all evil?

The early Christians were very aware that there were many people unlike them in the world and that they needed to interact and get along with them, too.

An interesting thing to pick up from the program was the role of the mosque. Not just a place to come occasionally to hear preaching, his was open to everyone to come and discuss, and it was like a community center. This not like most Christian churches–and an idea we need to pick up.

I’ll have to read more. I’m interested in details such as how did they pray or meditate, how did they communicate, what challenges did they face. These are useful for our own edification.

Tags:
Posted in Study | Leave a Comment »

You Get What You Create or What You Allow

August 1, 2013

I’ve been contemplating on Henry Cloud’s latest book, Boundaries for Leaders. There is a lot of research in that book. And a lot of wisdom.

At one point, he says, “Leaders will get a combination of what they create and what they allow.”

I thought, wow, this applies in so many areas.

Take raising children. Do we create an environment and expectations for them to grow and succeed? Or, do we allow them to do whatever whim comes along? Or, a combination–we create certain structures and allow other things?

Leaders in organizations do this. Same types of questions. Do we create an environment, expectations and structures for people (and the organization) to grow and succeed? Or, do we permit too much such that vision is lost, ethics are cast aside, and the whole organization crashes?

What about our personal life? We lead in that, too–I hope. Do we create structures and expectations in our own lives such that we grow and succeed? We have access to writings on the Spiritual Disciplines. These have been thought out and written so that we have a guide toward establishing the proper Spiritual structure in our daily lives so that we continue to grow in Spiritual maturity.

Attention is key

Then Cloud hits on one of my pet ideas–attention. “Brain researchers say that ‘attention’ is like a magic key that unlocks higher-order brain circuitry. ”

We must place our attention on the things we wish to create in our leadership and our lives. Then we do things with intention, that is, on purpose. Consciously. Things don’t “just happen.” We cause things to happen and construct structures to create opportunities to succeed.

By the way, the link to Amazon is not an affiliate link. I recommend so many books, I probably should sign up for affiliate status. I bet I could add $10 or so to my income 😉 And I certainly recommend this book. And if you’ve never read Cloud, try his other books. They are all excellent.

Tags:, , , ,
Posted in Disciplines, Leadership | Leave a Comment »

Praying to keep the Christmas Spirit

January 7, 2011

I’m sitting here this morning looking at my wife’s beautiful Christmas cactus. It’s full of blooms. It sits there all year waiting for mid-December to bloom. The blooms last a little while. Then it goes dormant again.

It’s kind of like us. How many years are we dormant most of the time, then bloom in December with the excitement of Christmas (carols, talk of peace, remembering Jesus, buying gifts for others), then the blooms die in January with the Christmas tree we pitch out on the street.

I’ve been reading 14th Century mystic Walter Hilton–“The Ladder of Perfection”–where he talks about how to cast the spiritual eye of your soul on Jesus. He writes some chapters about how hard that is for humans to do constantly. You slip, think about physical pleasures or pressures.

Hilton suggests praying the Psalms. But praying them in the soft voice of Jesus, not the “high-pitched voice” of men trying to impress. Put yourself in an attitude of communicating with God and then begin to pray the Psalms.

That sounds like a good idea. Many years ago I read a book by German pastor and theologian (and political activist) Dietrich Bonhoeffer where he called Psalms the “prayer book of the “Bible”. Let’s see if that gives a focus to our prayer life.

Tags:, ,
Posted in Living | Leave a Comment »

In the image of God

December 13, 2010

In Genesis we are taught that humans were created in the image of God. Walter Hilton (“The Ladder of Perfection” Book Two) describes something of the process. It is our soul that is image of God, not our physical body. As we celebrate the anticipation of the coming of Jesus who became the “pioneer of our faith” as the writer of Hebrews puts it, how do we go about reflecting the image of God in our lives?

There are three ways, but the third is impossible in this life–the perfect reflection of God. But first there is faith. You have to recognize and acknowledge Jesus as the leader who shows the way. This is just the first step–a crucial one, but just a step after all.

Second is what Hilton calls feeling. I’m not sure what I’d call it in 21st Century English rather than his 14th Century words. But he explains that this experience lies in overcoming the selfish and sinful desires of our “flesh” and coming to live in the spiritual realm that Jesus showed–and were taught by the early leaders and handed down even to this day. This same spiritual life existed before Jesus–it’s just that humans never constructed a way for everyone to have the opportunity to participate in the life of the spirit. Even for Hilton, who wrote to contemplatives who usually gathered into communities apart from society at large.

We teach today that anyone can and should seek to achieve the spiritual life that Jesus called us to live. As we live in Advent and then celebrate the birth, we need now, no less than during Lent, to seek the life that allows us to reflect the glory of God. Even if that reflection is a little imperfect. Put aside those desires especially fanned into emotional flame by intense marketing this month and seek to reflect God’s image of true life in the Spirit.

Tags:,
Posted in Christianity, Spirituality | Leave a Comment »

Are You Acting The Part of a Spiritual Person

November 17, 2010

Humans are great actors. Most won’t make it in Hollywood. But most of us try to act like someone we’re not in real life. We dress a certain way to impress people. We show up in church. We show up for certain service activities. We may even hold doors open for others. Or say “please” and “thank you.”

But what is inside? Do we care at all for those we serve? Are we full of anger, hurt, bitterness, vengefulness, envy, greed? It’s easy to be caught up in some of those emotions–emotions that can crowd God out of the picture and our lives. Anger seems to be the prevalent emotion in America today. Most likely caused by underlying feelings of greed, selfishness and envy.

I live in America and travel frequently to Europe. I speak only a little German and very little French. I can watch a little TV and see magazines, though, and see the same things as here–a supersaturation of marketing trying to reach the depths of emotions of needing things to be satisfied (or sexy, or beautiful, or accepted). Those are all external things with which we act a part in a play. And we buy it. Literally.

But, what are you left with?

The real need is to be in relationship with God. Bring your inner life into congruence with what your outside life sometimes says. Saying you have faith is one thing. But living with God is another. Living with God requires stepping back in your mind and observing yourself. Catch yourself when you get caught up in some of those emotions–and you will get caught up in them. Then remember your friend–Jesus. His example and teaching were meant to help us line up our thoughts, as well as deeds, with God.

This takes effort. You must slow down your life and reflect. Pray as a conversation where you talk and you listen. Don’t pray that someone else’s faults are corrected. Pray that your own faults will be corrected. Simplify your life so that you quit acting a part and start living the part.

Tags:, , , ,
Posted in Christianity, Living, Spirituality | 2 Comments »

Strive not for talk but for virtue

November 11, 2010

The political season is over (albeit briefly) in the United States. That is always an exhausting season for people emotionally. Every media if stuffed with candidates and pundits striving to reach a message that stirs your basest emotions so that you’ll hate the other guy and vote for him/her. As much as analysts have discussed for at least 40 years the changes that will be wrought in politics and business if we just have more women  involved, I have yet to see any difference in actuality.

Interesting that Thomas a Kempis puts these words in a dialogue between Jesus and the disciple, “For the kingdom of heaven consists not in talk but in virtue. Attend, rather, to My words which enkindle the heart and enlighten the mind, wich excite contrition and abound in manifold consolations. Never read them for the purpose of appearing more learned or more wise. Apply yourself to [subduing] your vices, for this will benefit you more than your understanding of many difficult questions.”

It’s not what we say as much as what we do. People watch you. Kids will mimic your actions, not your words. The old phrase, “Actions speak louder than words” speaks to this. If you say one thing and do another, people will believe what you do–not what you say.

If you talk about your relationship with God, yet do not practice virtue, who will believe you? If you have memorized vast amounts of the text of the Bible and do not act differently from how you acted before, who will listen to you? And in the end, what will it benefit you with God? Go out this morning and look for the first opportunity to help someone. That will start the day off right.

Tags:, , , , ,
Posted in Christianity, Living | Leave a Comment »

Focus on Jesus

November 1, 2010

“My child, do not trust in your present feeling, for it will soon give way to another. As long as you live, you will be subject to changeableness in spite of yourself,” says Thomas a Kempis. Ever wonder why you can go from happy to sad to joyous to envious to angry–sometimes all within an hour or two? Wise people have pointed out to us for millennia that this is the human condition.

Sometimes we think that we are free from constraint to do what we wish, when in fact we are at the mercy of our passion. Benjamin Franklin, one of the American Founders, once said, “If passions are the driver, let reason hold the reins.” That was wise, but  still a little lacking. Sometimes our reason exists to justify the desires of the passions. We know that from buying decisions. Suddenly we desire something–a new car, expensive dress, whatever. The desire was probably driven by advertising or from someone we know who got one. Then our brain begins to start figuring out the rational reasons why that purchase would be good.

Thomas a Kempis concludes the chapter saying, “The eye of your intention, therefore, must be cleansed so that it is single and right. It must be directed toward [Jesus], despite all the objects which may interfere.”

Ponder that. How can you keep your focus on Jesus, and through him, God?

Tags:, , ,
Posted in Spirituality | Leave a Comment »

Doing for others, doing for Jesus

October 16, 2010

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about living a life with God. This was started by peering into the attitudes of people who claim Christ as their leader, but their actions appear anything but Christlike by exhibiting hate, malice, arrogance and the like.

Bill Hybels, founder and senior pastor of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Ill, has been speaking on Matthew 25:31-45. This is part of Jesus’ final teachings as he prepares his followers for life on their own without his physical presence with them. He taught on watchfulness and using your talents wisely. Now he discusses how God will judge you at your resurrection.

Come you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me… Just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.

Salvation is a gift of God’s grace. Our first act is to acknowledge God and ask to partake of that gift. But God expects much of us. Not to just sit still in his grace and condemn others. He expects us to get off our butts and bring love and grace to those whom we meet.

As I typed these words, I realized that there are some who like to separate themselves from others. They might narrowly define what Jesus means by “members of my family.” But the Old Testament and New Testament are united in stating that God’s desire is for all humanity to know him. Jesus told the parable of the Good Samaritan precisely to show that we must think beyond the boundaries of our tribe.

These words also challenge me. I give money. I give time. I try to serve others where I am. But is it enough? Am I squandering the talents God gave me? How about you?

Tags:, , , , , ,
Posted in Living | Leave a Comment »

Beyond Hate and Anger

September 30, 2010

Underlying so much of the so-called discussion of messages floating around the Internet and reactions to various people and ideas are hate and anger. Now anger probably leads to hate, because it must eventually manifest itself against someone or something. Anger usually springs up from inside yourself. Causes are individual, but certain general causes accumulate from the individual. Often anger comes from internal feelings of lack of self-worth, or feeling threatened by events, or feelings of fear of others who are different from me, or fear of losing my wealth–or not getting the wealth I feel I deserve.

The generation now in its 50s and entering the 60s has been described as the “me generation” since before 1970. And that’s a lot of what I see. Too many people are still striving for everything that they think they are owed, when in fact, they are owed nothing. Too wrapped up in accumulating things and worried simultaneously about losing what they have and not getting as many things as they desire, they lash out at others who threaten their lifestyle–at least as they see it.

I’m back to Thomas a Kempis in The Imitation of Christ, but you could find similar words in most spiritual writers. “A man is raised up from the earth by two wings–simplicity and purity. There must be simplicity in his intention and purity in his desires. Simplicity leads to God, purity embraces and enjoys Him.”

Only by simplifying your life and striving for purity by focusing on God through Jesus can you deal with all the internal turmoil–the conflicts that lead to hate, anger, fear. I counsel that to so many people I meet these days who are so conflicted by striving and worry. Calm down, breathe, seek God, meditate on His Word. In these you can start toward simplicity and the true peace that God offers.

Tags:, , , ,
Posted in Living, Spirituality | Leave a Comment »

Open Eyes to Dynamics of Life

September 25, 2010

Sorry not to post for a while. I had a thigh muscle pull bad enough to land me for an overnight stay in the hospital followed by a couple of weeks on a narcotic pain killer. While I realize there exists a minor literary tradition of writing on spiritual topics while on drugs, that’s not my style. On top of that, I had a magazine to get out (no rest when you publish monthly), a special project newspaper for a conference coming up next week, and then my long-time boss, mentor and friend passed away last Wednesday. It’s been a month that tries my balance, to say the least.

But a couple of weeks on your back give you time to contemplate. At the same time my wife was reading some of those hate emails that circulate the Internet. Me, I just delete unopened. She? She reads every one, to the bottom, then gets upset. I tell her that a good way to maintain emotional and intellectual balance is to pare out things from your life that unnecessarily cause distress. (There are life events, of course, that confront you that must be met, but that’s another matter.)

Back to my wife’s reading and the subject of my last post–like many people my age, I started meditating in the late 60s. I’ve explored paths, had experiences. I combine practice with reading. The thing that has consistently amazed me during my reading the ancient spiritual masters for 40 years is that they write very little about prayer or meditation techniques. They write about the person. Where do all the passions originate? How do you overcome them? How do you live your life? It’s not a method or a word to memorize. It’s all about how you live, where you focus.

So, I deal with many Christians who have memorized a few verses from the Bible. Some of them, though, when I observe how they live, how they interact with others, what their attitude toward others is, I wonder.

Allow me a metaphor. I am a soccer referee and instructor of referees. I’ve noticed two types of referees. One type is “book smart.” They are dissatisfied with anything less than 95% on any test we give. They know every law or rule and every interpretation–in their head. But, put them on the pitch (field) to actually do refereeing, they fail at any tough contest. Like life, soccer is a dynamic game. It has flows of activity. There are many nuances. Sometimes it’s a matter of perspective or flow of the game that determines what is a foul and what is called. A good referee at this higher level knows the written laws thoroughly. That is only the start. The key to success is to develop a feel for the game, relate to the players, move the game along within the boundaries.

Some Christian traditions have developed a formula: accept Christ + read Bible + attend church religiously = go to heaven. Oh, by the way, judge other people based upon what you’ve read and whether they agree with you. It’s the “know the law” type of religion. Sounds a little like the Pharisees to me.

There is another way, much more ancient than that, which says something like, recognize Jesus, develop a living relationship with God through Jesus, read the Bible to deepen your knowledge and follow the two commandments Jesus gave us–love God, love people. (Love as an action verb, not an emotion.) That’s my tradition. I wish I could do it as well as I can say it.

Tags:, , , , , ,
Posted in Living, Spirituality | Leave a Comment »

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »