Meditation on Finding Peace
Transcript for May 23, 2010 by Bob Kleinheksel
Welcome back, settle in and be at home – you people of Life, stardust creatures, infused with infinite and pervasive divine presence. This undeniable life force, that which keeps a heart beating beyond all odds, the energy that compels a seedling to grow against the harshest of environments, is the dominant feature of your being. This humming, thrumming vital force, the God of your understandings, is everywhere within us as purpose, self-worth and sufficiency…it is between us in relating, loving, resolving conflict, meting out justice near and far, it is beyond us in past, present and future – in mystery and memory, in nature and new awareness.
You are the ancient of days and as new as your latest breath. Even now, your cells, atoms, anatomy are changing, growing, becoming. We are remembering, reflecting on the now and anticipating the future unfolding before us. Might we now commit to learning from the past, seeing it with new eyes, patience and understanding; might we see it with new clarity, perspective and insight. Without dwelling there or blaming what and who has been and what has been done, let us be healed by our history and past. Let us then bring new resolve, maturity and conviction into our present encounters and commitments.
Let us include and transcend all that has been, for we are partially and particularly formed by the countless encounters and events over the years. We have been named, encouraged, esteemed, demeaned, instilled with wonder and wounded; we have wept and wallowed, we have been graced and gifted by those before us. Now we accept it all, claim it and own our present courses as best we can. It is up to us now-and we continue interdependently in relationship with others who join us on the human journey of re-discovery and renewal. Whether it be individuals, partnerships, families or communities – we are on an ever new way – forging ahead on new paths and un-trodden ground. It is daunting and dynamic, stimulating and stress-filled….and yet vital to the core.
Let the art of remembering be real and honest; let it be transformative as well…for there are hurts to be healed, wounds to be wrapped with forgiveness and patience; pain to be acknowledged and let go. The past is a treasure-trove of learning and insight and yet it is not our ultimate destination. Rather let it be a source of renewal and inspiration; let it be the foundation upon which we fly and become free into new being and relating. The past is part of us, within our very cells and sinew – yet it need not hold us hostage or keep us from all that can be.
In remembering our unique history and stories, the ongoing narratives of our lives, we humbly and intentionally surround all those who are discouraged, deprived and demeaned; all those in the aftermath of oil spills, plane crashes, volcano ashes, violence and terror. Those close, those near – such as our neighbors in need, those in transition with relationships, jobs and homes. The Mishras, the homeless, those living out the last weeks and months of their lives in dignity, tears and great fortitude. Let us remember, let us exchange, initiate and act; let us love as we seek to be more impassioned, compassioned people.
We offer these words to each other and to the very fabric of this world. Together we share this planetary pilgrimage and enjoy an inclusive community. We breathe in peace; we breathe out love. We honor life itself, all our fellow journey-mates and the possibilities that line our future. So be it.
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I asked some questions regarding the roll of God in these things and I did not receive a response.
Hi Holly-
Your original comment did not transfer to the new site when it moved last night. I apologize, here is your post-
Where is God in all of this? This is all nice and makes us feel good etc. But it is only God that heals and makes us whole…it is not in one another or of our own journey but only by a deep connection to our Creator and His Son Jesus Christ. Where is God in this?
and one response so far-
To Holly:
Everywhere. God is everyone and everything and only through a sense of all inclusive reverence for all that exists can you not just find god but truly appreciate all that it is. God isn’t just what heals us and makes us whole, what heals us and makes us whole is god; our friends, our family, a stranger who turns your whole day around with just a few kind words, and even the doctor and his medicines that heal us physically. When we focus on just one way to reach a higher power we loose sight of of vastness of the power and the multitude of ways it reaches into our lives and allows us a chance to become closer too it. May you be blessed and find god everywhere and always.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,
Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
William Shakespeare, “Hamlet”, Act 1 scene 5
Hi Holly,
Thanks for your question. What/how one asks and how one responds to questions like this are reliant on our understandings of God. If God is external and akin to a Greek-God, intervening and blessing and cursing – then one can say God is the one in control or who heals.
I affirm whatever beliefs give you comfort and assurance and lead you to live as fully and lovingly as you can. In my prayers, there will be very little if any sense of God as a theistic entity which is the traditional notion or understand of God in mainline Christianity.
For me, God is experienced within as self-worth and truly knowing I have an important place on this earth with my fellow persons…to live and serve and live purposefully. God is an experience between too. In relationships, realizing profound satisfactions in life; God as in experience beyond us as well – in mystery, nature, in all the possibilities in our lives. Just as Jesus said the kingdom of God is all around you – I believe this “kingdom” or divine presence or God is all around. It is pervasive. It is not just situated externally beyond us, but rather within – to the core. I have many understandings of God, but none of them represent the traditional theistic understanding.
In saying this, Holly, I affirm the thoughts, understandings and journeys we are all on – with our convictions, questions and learning. And, I am grateful you are thoughtful and asking good questions.
Hope you live and relate well this Sunday.
Bob
This is all very much gray making….you are saying that there is no truth…that everyone’s perception is reality.
In Paul’s letter to the Corinthians he says, “Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”
There is no gray here. It doesn’t say “whatever you want to believe is fine as long as it gives you comfort.”
Explain to me how you can be all inclusive? There is dissonance in this….you can’t say we include you and your beliefs but we don’t believe any thing that you believe in. How can anyone sit within the walls of your church where there is no truth but your own and feel included…its all individualistic, there is no unity in this at all.
The Bible warns over and over about deception …and the deception of man creates truth from everything….Jesus says, “You must worship the Lord your God, serve only him.”
When Jesus said the Kingdom of God is all around you he was speaking of creation…God made everything so of course it is his Kingdom. But Jesus also said “turn from your sin and turn to God, because the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”
There is such a cognitive dissonance in all of this….you do not believe in God (theism) but you believe in the teachings of Jesus that believed in God? What is it that you believe?
Hi Holly,
Not sure how you get that I say there is no truth. Denominations, traditions, people, groups, churches have interpreted scripture, nature, scientific findings, strange events and everything else in all kinds of ways. You interpret my prayer and meditation in one way…and the next person interprets it another way. All okay – unless, of course, you interpret my words to mean it is okay to harm another person or that it is okay to do anything I want. It is true to a good extent that our perception becomes our reality – however faulthy or non-factual that may be. The old adage, “perception is reality” carries some weight, but that does not mean we can universalize our interpretations or preceptions of reality – or proclaim them as the only right way to see things.
I believe it is possible and commendable to be inspired by the life and teachings of Jesus. Jesus was quite unambiguously a theist – as the prevailing pardigm was. Jehovah, Yahweh was the tribal God of the Hebrew/Jewish people. But, to assert that Jesus was a theist does not lessen the power and purpose of his social program with and toward the marginalized, the poor, women, outcasts, etc. I am inspired and guided by the life and teachings of Jesus – and I am a non-theist.
If we were to sit down, you and me, and discuss the nature of how we wished to live – based on the prerogatives put forth in scripture, (for example the urging to demonstrate hospitality, service to those in need, loving unconditionally, working for justice, establishing people to their rightful places in community, valuing family….we would have a lot in
common. So, do you and I both live our lives based on the life and teachings of Jesus? Do we live out our truer selves as ones who can serve this world – and thus honor the God of our understandingd, honor our neighbors near and far – and honor ourselves too? I believe we would both say Yes to these questions.
I don’t think anyone here encourages another to believe anything they want. quite the contrary. We say, examine where your beliefs take you…what are the outcomes of your beliefs: Deeper love, more judgements, more fear, exclusion or inclusion, hysteria or ease. Our beliefs eventuate in actions, words, gestures.
People sit side by side in this community because there are core universally shared and celebrated values that guide and ground. Particular beliefs also can be maintained – and can continue to provide comfort and assurance. This has always been the case. Think of all the differences in the world. Some believe you should only marry within your own ethnic race or church denomination; others believe otherwise. Those people who espouse varying beliefs can affirm together commonly shared values – and explore these values in the context of community where there is freedom, checks and balances…and also credible and honorable exploration of how to more fully demonstrate and live out these values in the world. Particularities are no problem; diversity is no problem. Inclusion is no problem if we share a wider view. Sort of akin to a family. Just because I may disagree with my son’s decision on how to do something…or if he believes something different – does not mean I cast him out of the family. Family members can thrive – even with strain and difference. They can still be families.
So Holly, I affirm all that I wrote before. Be at ease, be comfortable with your beliefs and interpretations – but realize others may not share in them. And, I am very comfortable with you disagreeing with me. That, too, is okay and even needed. I affirm the journey you are on and wish you well as you navigate life and all the important relationships you are involved with.
Bob
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