Hi Angel,
I am pleased that you have chosen to adorn our discussion your womanly intuition. We men seem to just build walls. I took some time answering, but you may see why below.
A number of Sages have actually pointed out that it is only through knowing ourselves that we come to know anything, since we are otherwise blocked and unable to get a full picture. It is in fact the premise for “knowing†at all. There is relatively little to be read in Christian literature, since the assumption is that we are all full of wickedness anyway, so what do you need to “know� But this is generally where Greek thought has derailed Semitic understanding.
I would add that the experience of wisdom beats any forum or book, which is why we are often running around in circles. On the internet we only experience how people express themselves – we don’t know how they live. We could all be a bunch of hypocrites for all our opposites in the web know. What is missing is the “new†or “renewed covenant†in the spirit – a spiritual covenant, and of a different quality to the last. This is because the trappings of the material world pre-occupy most people and we need to find a different base on which we can live a spiritual life.
It could be as simple as obeying the commandments or precepts of the torah or Tao, but we realise that we have been doing this or something similar all of our life. Jesus advises someone who is in this position that he sell everything and give the proceedings to the poor and follow him. We must ask ourselves how serious is our predicament (“wretchednessâ€) and how radical the step must be to come free. I experience my parish as far too compromised by obligations to the system, although I am also employed by the church. I personally haven’t found the alternative (“the spiritual communityâ€) yet.
I am guided by my experience to say that communion with God and community is OK for others as long as it is doing people good and has no real influence. If individuals are out and about working for the realm of God, that is OK. But if a group of people start organising things, that is where problems arise – even today in our “enlightened†society. Those who break out are no problem as long as there isn’t enough of them to disturb the “factoryâ€. The reason why Jesus was so radical in things he said, was to prepare people for the unpleasant truth that those who “reach their heart†are often met with incomprehensible hatred. No wonder then that they went into seclusion.
The spiritual church was always among the friars and priests with no influence. The more influence they had, the more politically interesting they became and all the more corruption became a problem. I have a feeling that this is why Jesus told his followers not to build hierarchies, but to remain the circle of sisters and brothers. This, however, hasn’t worked. The Churches became political and we know what happened.
I think that this is the most difficult stage. It is the combination of humbleness and interaction that we fail in, because the world doesn’t care for someone who is humble. I notice in my job that the quiet form of leading people in elderly care isn’t always what is called for. I occasionally have to put on a mask to achieve my goals – but that isn’t too often, so I suppose it is acceptable. When you listen to your heart, you often get told (a German expression) “you are too good for this world!†which is more critical than it sounds. It means that you should use your elbows a bit more, push and shove, bark and bite if need be.
What I do think is a problem, is that most people remain on the surface, even within the Church. The “inner chamber†is often full of cobwebs because of lack of use. Introspection is a foreign word within the church, because it is very external. In fact externalisation of faith leads immediately to hypocrisy or contradiction – without being particularly “evilâ€. It is the nature of spirituality I suppose, and the reason Jesus told his followers not to throw pearls to the swine (no association meant). Spirituality is something that shows people their soul-mates or fraternal friends – bridging the cultural and even religious differences.
Most meditative exercises begin by teaching how to concentrate on something despite all of the internal and external disturbances. I find this to be so valuable in our day because most people I experience cannot concentrate, they cannot listen, cannot contemplate, but are eager to get their piece across before they become beside the point. If we could concentrate, we could hear that voice, see those images, gain insight and act upon them. Generally people who can listen are quiet for a long time but suddenly bring a gem into the conversation.
I have learned that it is very rewarding to let someone speak and take time before answering. We have done the occasionally on holiday with friends, maintaining a running discussion, but taking thoughts with us and perhaps answering the next day. But this kind of community is very rare and the people generally feel an affinity towards each other.
Shalom
How we act out upon the world is ultimately guaged by our inward understanding. I wish I had a little more of that understanding, but I’m just a kid, so I have all the time in the world to be inwardly directed. Letting go of the ego distinction of external/internal is the first step. Conveniently, it is the only step, for then we no longer reify the wall between ourselves and that which is.
