Spirituality

Do you feel the appeal of this spirituality?

“[H]e is one who attains at will, without difficulty and without trouble, the four musings which belong to the higher thought, which even in this very life are blissful to abide in.”¹

“'All created things perish'; he who knows and sees this becomes passive in pain.
'All forms are unreal'; he who knows and sees this becomes passive in pain.”²

“Then, Brahmin, when he has won restraint in food, the Tathagata gives him a further lesson thus: 'Come thou, brother! Abide given to watchfulness. By day, when walking or sitting, cleanse your heart from things that may hinder you. By night spend the first watch walking up and down or sitting, and do likewise. By night in the second watch, lie down on the right side in the posture of a lion, and placing one foot upon the other, mindful and self-possessed, set your thoughts on the idea of exertion. Then in the third watch of the night rise up, and walking up and down, or sitting, cleanse the heart of things that may hinder.'”³

“[T]hey assert that the spiritual principles which have been sown by Achamoth, being disciplined and nourished here from that time until now in righteous souls (because when given forth by her they were yet but weak), at last attaining to perfection, shall be given as brides to the angels of the Saviour, while their animal souls of necessity rest for ever with the Demiurge in the intermediate place.”⁴

“Every religious tradition will employ its own terms to describe him [Jesus]. If there is a unity in all these responses it will not be linguistic or theological but a mystical unity beyond words, concepts and images. We know the highest truth by love not thought: the Christian mystical tradition, together with its sister traditions, is sure of this. The silence of love, not logic, is the sharing of one's self-knowledge with another.”⁵

There has to be more to life than getting on with things, even than the pursuit of meaningful work, family, home and a community of friends. There is surely something more subtle, deep and lofty in us. We have a spiritual dimension, which needs nuture and expression.

If all this is true then the things quoted above look like the answer to our need, to our incompleteness. They offer mystery and the supernatural. If they are followed we can attain something of spiritual peace. We will find ourselves more whole, more mature. We will have known true insight and love. Our family and friends will see us act with more gentleness, care and compassion.

This is the hope I once saw in Buddhism and 'Christian' mysticism. I can remember and feel its attraction, but for me now it's a poor substitute for true, living spirituality – the spirituality that really changes people, that has changed me. I thank God for having mercy on me though I didn't deserve it.

A spirituality that is alive and real is not so much this ethereal, mysterious, meditative thing. Rather it engages all that I am. It recognises, uplifts and fills my humanness. It declares my body and mind, as well as my soul, mean something; that relationships mean much.

True spirituality – even eternal life – is to know God, to be in relationship with him. To talk to him and read his Word. To know him better each day and love him more as you better understand his love for you. To live each day in obedience to him, eating and drinking and doing all things for his glory. To be changed by him and made more like his Son, more mature and at peace, more gentle and loving. It has mystery, but it is not all mystery. I can think and question and understand. I can dance and swim and have sex in this world and then live forever in a renewed, perfect body in that place where God dwells with man.

¹ The Buddha and his dhamma, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar

http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett/00ambedkar/ambedkar_buddha/03_05.html#02_03

² http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett/00ambedkar/ambedkar_buddha/04_03.html#08

³ http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett/00ambedkar/ambedkar_buddha/03_01.html

⁴ From Against Heresies, Irenaeus http://www.gnosis.org/library/advh1.htm

⁵ From Jesus the Teacher Within, Laurence Freeman 2000 The Continuum International Publishing Group Inc