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"..whenever you pray, go into your room and shut
the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees
in secret will reward you."
Jesus - Matthew 6:6
I am not proud to admit that as a spiritual teacher I
struggle with the internal sacred practices of prayer and meditation. It has
always been difficult for me to spend time in the quiet no matter how many
teachers, mystics and masters remind me of its value. My reluctance does not
stem from skepticism or sloth. I fully embrace the claim that meditation and
contemplation in my inner sanctuary is as vital, if not more so, to my
spiritual growth and development than outer forms of worship.
So this confession is a bit painful. I wince as I
recall the number of times I have quoted Robert Browning's unequivocal
declaration that to know, rather consists in opening out a way whence the
imprisoned splendor may escape, than in effecting entry for a light supposed
to be without. Or the countless references I have made to Jesus'
assertions that the Kingdom of Heaven is within. While I
enthusiastically chart the path, point the way, and illuminate the sign posts
to the holy encounter, I seldom go there. I have a good intellectual
understanding of the spiritual principles yet given the choice I pick the
familiar road of thinking, writing and preaching about them rather than
turning down the narrow path within to risk the discomfort in the silence.
Recently however I had an experience that was much more
painful than "the discomfort in the silence," that brought me to my
knees. I can't explain what or why it happened, only that it felt like I fell
off a cliff, emotionally and spiritually. Emptiness and dread were my
companions for several days with no perceptible reason or precipitating
event. Perhaps it was a proverbial dark night of the soul experience.
Whatever it was, it brought me to a humble condition, desperate and eager to
reconnect with my spiritual foundation. Perhaps divine whispers unheeded
escalated to this unambiguous message; this existential pain that ultimately
turned me around. Though I did not relish the experience I am grateful for
it; for it has motivated me to recommit in earnest to my inner spiritual
work.
This experience has also led me to the pure prayer and
meditative practice outlined in the wonderful little book, The Gathering, by Jim Rosemergy. Over the next 8
weeks we will look at each step of a practice designed to clear the mind of
barriers to a conscious awareness of Divine presence and lead us into
meditative silence. For me, and I trust for many of you, this is good and
timely medicine. The book thoroughly clarifies the steps and unpacks their
place and purpose in the preparation process.
I am inviting our congregation (and all who read this
article) to join me on a 40 day commitment to this practice beginning 2/27.
The book includes 40 days of reflection/journaling exercises that relate to
the steps. This will take us up to Easter. By then, I trust, we will have
grooved a habit of daily practice, greater familiarity and comfort with the
silence, and the blessings of the inner life to keep us going.
We begin with the first step which is, Release The
Human Need. As the expression goes the first step can be the toughest.
But don't despair this is not what it seems to be asking. We don't pretend to
give up our human needs; however for purposes of pure spiritual practice, we
must recognize that no matter how great our needs we must not let them come
between us and God. In other words, if we want the experience of the Divine
in its fullness we must come to prayer with open minded receptivity, not
neediness. God meets us at the level of our consciousness. Jesus said, Do
not worry, rather know, it is the Father's pleasure to have
given you the kingdom. As we release the human need in our prayer time,
we become the condition through which we can realize the fullness of the
Presence. This is what we are after. Come Sunday for a more thorough
explanation of this first vital step, or listen to the download if you can't be there.
I'm enthused about this series because it promises to
be more than interesting, inspiring or educational. It can move us through
discomfort to an inner connection, where we might know the truth - the
spiritual experience that can set us free.
May we grow, in depth, together.
Larry and Denese
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