Day 207 of 365 - Ego Says No, Soul Says Yes
I love it when I come across something randomly, which has yet another way of saying something I've been exploring in other ways. Today, I am inspired by the perspective of contemplative spirituality, as described by Franciscan priest and teacher, Richard Rohr. Some of the wisdom he shares is woven into this post.
Most of us are entrenched in our rigid and dualistic way of thinking, and would benefit from getting 'ourselves' out of the way. A contemplative perspective takes a broader view of reality. It does not frame things as either/or, but just lets life be what it is. The goal is a foundation of happiness that does not come and go. It is a transformative spirituality, rather than a transactional one. It comes from within and is in the now. Vulnerability, an opening of the heart, mind and body is central to growth. A contemplative way of being leads to forgiveness and compassion for self and others. All religions, at higher levels of seeking, have discovered this.
If we consider this from the perspective of the functions of the two hemispheres of the brain, as spoken about in yesterday's post, we can see how rigid and dualistic thinking relates more to left brain function, and contemplation relates more to the expansiveness of the right brain function.
There is a paradox in being human and in seeking spiritual growth or mystical experience. According to Richard Rohr, Christianity for centuries became about words, doctrines and a transactional salvation. Now, he suggests, it is more beneficial to set doctrines aside and move towards what he calls a practice level over a belief level.
We are not the doers, in terms of being the source of grace for example, yet we need to take action. Our 'yes' matters for a metaphysical opening to occur. Action and contemplation form a conduit of outflow and inflow. Contemplative life goes beyond words and thoughts, but is best experienced through the action of helping or serving others who are in pain or suffering. That service will bring us what we need to learn. Everything has something to teach us.
Our learning may begin through our own pain and suffering, which leads us to be vulnerable enough to accept the service of others and to see the influence of life beyond our ego self. We can be part of the flow by becoming of service to others and taking the broader view of the greater good.
Rohr says that the ego likes to say no and the soul likes to say yes. Once we become aware that what we feel, think and do has a broader impact than our individual lives, given the interconnectivity of humanity and beyond, perhaps we'd like to dwell more on the kinds of practices which expand our experience of that greater good.
I find it amazing to realize that, as human beings with brains and souls, living in this world, we are designed for just that.
Most of us are entrenched in our rigid and dualistic way of thinking, and would benefit from getting 'ourselves' out of the way. A contemplative perspective takes a broader view of reality. It does not frame things as either/or, but just lets life be what it is. The goal is a foundation of happiness that does not come and go. It is a transformative spirituality, rather than a transactional one. It comes from within and is in the now. Vulnerability, an opening of the heart, mind and body is central to growth. A contemplative way of being leads to forgiveness and compassion for self and others. All religions, at higher levels of seeking, have discovered this.
If we consider this from the perspective of the functions of the two hemispheres of the brain, as spoken about in yesterday's post, we can see how rigid and dualistic thinking relates more to left brain function, and contemplation relates more to the expansiveness of the right brain function.
There is a paradox in being human and in seeking spiritual growth or mystical experience. According to Richard Rohr, Christianity for centuries became about words, doctrines and a transactional salvation. Now, he suggests, it is more beneficial to set doctrines aside and move towards what he calls a practice level over a belief level.
We are not the doers, in terms of being the source of grace for example, yet we need to take action. Our 'yes' matters for a metaphysical opening to occur. Action and contemplation form a conduit of outflow and inflow. Contemplative life goes beyond words and thoughts, but is best experienced through the action of helping or serving others who are in pain or suffering. That service will bring us what we need to learn. Everything has something to teach us.
Our learning may begin through our own pain and suffering, which leads us to be vulnerable enough to accept the service of others and to see the influence of life beyond our ego self. We can be part of the flow by becoming of service to others and taking the broader view of the greater good.
Rohr says that the ego likes to say no and the soul likes to say yes. Once we become aware that what we feel, think and do has a broader impact than our individual lives, given the interconnectivity of humanity and beyond, perhaps we'd like to dwell more on the kinds of practices which expand our experience of that greater good.
I find it amazing to realize that, as human beings with brains and souls, living in this world, we are designed for just that.
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