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Wisdom Story
An aged, wise monk was sweeping the monastery yard. The sun was scorching hot on the summer, cloudless mid-afternoon.
A younger monk, passing by, asked, "How old are you?"
The aged monk replied, "I'm seventy-seven."
"You are so old! Why are you still working so hard here?" asked the younger monk.
"Well, because I'm here."
"But why are you working under the scorching sun?" again asked the younger monk.
"Because the sun is here."
Suggested Reflection
Prayerfully read and reflect on the above story.
1) Whom do you most easily identify with in the story? Why might that be so?
2) What does the story say to you about your spiritual journey?
3) What does the story say about living in the present moment? Can you just decide to live in the moment? Or does it demand a time of spiritual preparation? Explain.
4) Do you tend to need some conscious justification for what you do?
5) Have you had times when you were so fully in the moment that you felt no need to have any reason or goal for what you were doing?
Sigmund Freud taught that the superego is that part of the psyche that imposes an external rule of morality on you and, also, serves with the ego in blocking unconscious~instinctual drives for pleasure.
1) How might such a superego assist in living the spiritual life?
2) How might such a superego hinder living fully, joyfully, and freely in the Spirit of the Living Christ?
Spiritual Exercise
Plan to do one thing today where you will freely be in the moment, in the action, without feeling any need to justify your action or press toward a goal. If your mind wanders from being fully present to the act, then, gently and non-critically return to the action.
See next page for details on OneLife Ministries, Brian's book An Ache for Union, and material pertaining to sources used in the writing.
Feel free to submit a query. Thanks! Brian K. Wilcox
See next page for Invitation to writer's contemplative village, purpose of OneLife, data on ordering author's book and upcoming devotionals 2008, and material on citations.
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