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Wisdom Story
A disciple says to his Teacher, “What can I do to attain God?” The Teacher replies, “What can you do to make the sun rise?” The disciple replies angrily, “Then, why are you giving us all these different methods of prayer?” And the Teacher says, “To make sure you’re awake when the sun does rise.”
Comments
Our spiritual practice is to sensitize us to the Presence of God. Easily, we descend from spirit into the orientation of body-mind. There is little in our society to encourage us to remain alert to the Presence of God, and there is much in our society to encourage us to stay anchored in our body and thought.
Possibly, this is a reason that spiritual sensitivity, or wakefulness, seems rare in our society. And, while churches may multiply programs, that does not mean the result is spiritual disciples of Christ. Likewise, methodology alone does not result in spiritual discipleship.
However, without some methodology to nurture spiritual sensitivity, persons will not become spiritual persons. Methodology cannot do what it is not designed to do, however. Our spiritual practices do not give us God, and they do not gain us grace. Spiritual practice sensitizes us to the inner movements of the Spirit, and it does this by drawing us into the place where sensitivity to Spirit arises: our spirit. The entails, then, ongoing conversion in Christ, which is the fruition of the promise contained in our baptism.
Our spirit is the word for that “place” from which we arise eternally from God, Who is Spirit. We most nurture our union with God by returning to that “place” from which we are being given birth to by God. That “place” is before the divisions that occur in the mind and body. By returning to the Center, the mind and body is slowly consecrated, or sensitized, to God, for the Spirit intends to spiritualize all of who we are, not because anything of the mind or body is evil, only that they might be made one with the Energy of Grace. The ultimate goal of God for the Christian is not a mere mending of his or her life, or that she or he might gain heaven. The ultimate intent of God for the Christian is full union of the total self with the Divine Presence: or, full consecration, when all human energies are gathered into God in complete and free unity.
Suggested Reflection
What does it mean for the Spirit to spiritualize mind and body? Is this what we mean by sanctification?
What methodologies, or spiritual practices, help you in becoming a more spiritual person? How do these practices serve as “means of grace”?
Brian is available to respond to requests pertaining to seeking a Spiritual Director, his speaking, doing classes, workshops, or retreats for churches or other spiritual groups.
For submission of replies, see below:
*Brian K. Wilcox lives with his wife, Rocio, and their two dogs, St. Francis and Bandit Ty, in Clearwater and Punta Gorda, Florida. He is a United Methodist pastor and vowed member of Greenbough House of Prayer, a contemplative Christian community in Georgia. His passion is living a contemplative life and inspiring others to experience a deeper relationship with Christ through contemplative prayer and living.
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