Sometimes I think the best contribution would be for me to work towards the cleanest consciousness I can when I think of helping solve the troubles in the world. What I mean is doing the work that leads towards dropping, as much as possible, enemy images, ideas of ‘us and them’ or ideas of better than or less than. These are the ideas that get in my way of helping cleanly.
On one hand contributing with a clean consciousness is a great way to avoid bringing my own messiness to the task of helping where help is needed. On the other hand, there is the possibility of becoming so detached, that I don’t care enough to do something to help when help is indicated.
I recall reading Theresa of Avila’s writing about this topic of serving the world and enjoying her advice to lean into the suffering, to identify with the pain and struggle of the people involved so that we can be stimulated into action. That is my paraphrase of what I remember from the reading. I remember too the idea in her writing that it is our connection to the suffering of the world that draws us to action, and it is also, she wrote, how Divinity uses us.
Theresa of Avila’s advice is in contrast to what some metaphysical teachers recommend, which is to be careful to not identify with the mindset of suffering so as not to take on the associated consciousness. Ernest Holmes wrote “You may have all the sympathy in the world for one who is in need, but don’t personally identify yourself with it, don’t take it on.” Either point of view, in my opinion, is fine, as long as it results in action. Only I can know when I’m hiding behind my spirituality as a way of avoiding engaging in the world.
Welcome to my blog * thoughts and things * poetry, pictures * ideas * opinions * kindness * video * stay and read a while.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Popular Posts
-
Blogging on line has become easy and accessible to everyone through a growing number of free online services availalbe to choose from. Blog...
-
There may be things I have to correct in my behavior. There may be social issues I have to attend to. There may be injustices I speak up abo...
-
Join us this Sunday, April 21th, at 9 or 11 a.m. for our celebration service as we dive deeper into our April "Giant Gentleness" t...
-
To see the video below on YouTube click here . In his Easter message of 1952, Dr. Ernest Holmes wrote: The great hope and expectation ...
-
I am not clear how or why the Occupy Wall Street movement started, and I'm not clear on who started it or what the movement's exact ...
-
As we stand on the threshold of 2024, I find myself contemplating the journey ahead. It's tempting to say it's going to be a tough y...
-
Disconnected from Life's Source Addictions are notoriously difficult to deal with and work through. Strategies that advocate simple s...
-
A heart of gratitude is filled with appreciation, and appreciation adds value and raising life up. Today my love goes out to all people,...
-
Garry and Edward Viljoen A friend told me the story of her visit to a far eastern spiritual teacher, a very sage and very old man who sp...
-
This week's topic is "Tell Me Something Good," where we'll delve into the essence of good news and how it shapes our spiri...
5 most recently updated from the blogs I'm following
Designed By Templateism | Seo Blogger Templates
No comments:
Post a Comment