Ladders to heaven

In a recent conversation about spiritual discipline, we talked about focus prayer—the challenge of distraction and purity of heart and spirit. “The ladder of Divine Ascent” was mentioned, but not explored. We talked about the origin of distractions.

 

This conversation was the starting point for me, for some research. Most of us have heard about the ‘Jacob’s ladder’ in Genesis, where Jacob, in his dream, sees the ladder between heaven and earth. Jacob understood this ladder to be the bridge between God and humanity.

When we think of a ladder, we tend to think of climbing up—climbing up to change a light bulb or even to get on the roof. I remember a ladder being used to rescue someone from an ice hole. In both cases, the ladder is used to bridge a gap.

 

In Jacob’s story, the ladder was an image of connection and conversion. Similar to the Torah for the Jewish people who see it as a connection or bridge between God and people. 

‘The Ladder of Divine Ascent’ or ‘Ladder of Paradise’, was written by John Climacus around 600 AD. It became an ascetic handbook for monks. In it, Climacus describes the path of spiritual progress. It has thirty rungs, to represent the thirty years of Jesus’ life on earth. Around the ladder are pictures of demons and beings praying for those on the ladder. The journey to the top of the ladder, where Jesus awaits, is full of obstacles of sin and desires, according to Climacus. 

 

Initially, I found the conversation disturbing. There was mention of evil spirits and good spirits. I struggle with some of these concepts. It seems too easy to say that the evil spirits are trying to distract you. That the devil is after you and that the devil will do anything to stop you from praying. Those who practice any form of meditation or centering prayer will know that the mind is powerful. To be able to focus the mind takes an enormous amount of practice. So to say that it is the evil spirits trying ‘to get you’, doesn’t make sense to me. 

What does that mean for the concept of self-discipline and free will? How does this notion of having to climb the ladder to heaven, relate to the generally accepted idea that we don’t have to do anything?

 

For me, the goal of the spiritual life lies in union with God; to be the best person I can be; guide my choices in life. Buddhist say, all you need to do is being present. The ladder of virtue, or the Ladder of Paradise, were teaching tools for the monks. The temptations the monks were battling, were mostly desires of the mind. These are desires you and I may have too.

 

Desires, temptations and virtues may play on our minds also.

Who is control? Is it you? Is it I? Are the spirits accountable for our choices?

 

St Ignatius talks about the discernment of spirits; the concept of consolation and desolation. In consolation, our thoughts and actions bring us closer to God; and in desolation, our thoughts and actions take us away from God. Ignatius taught the Examen, which is a practise where the individual looks back on their day and discerns where they experienced God. In paying close attention to our feelings, we may find the answers to our desires and choices. 

 

My challenge lies in making the decision of who is in charge, me or the spirits? Spiritual warfare is not part of my theology, which does not mean there is no evidence of its existence. For me, it is about self-awareness, and the realisation that climbing ‘the ladder’ is not a requirement from God. It is an aid for the individual to remain focused on their spiritual goal.

 

Do you think there are spirits/ demons out there to distract us on purpose? Are you in control of your life?

What helps you to discern what decision to make?

 

 

 

 

Seek Peace and find it within.

Turmoil

Turmoil, according to the dictionary, means: ‘a state of great disturbance, confusion, or uncertainty’.

The world is in a state of turmoil. The virus has created ‘a state of disturbance’. We are transitioning from what was - to what we become, the new normal. Whatever that may look like and whenever we may get there.

International travel has come to a standstill. Domestic tourism has its challenges too. Niceties we took for granted are no longer a given. Whether it is about shopping, eating out or simply going for a walk. Health restrictions are in place to keep us safe and healthy. Added to the mix or uncertainty are the loss of job security and relationships. The ‘separation wave’ is just starting. People realised that the relationship they thought they had has changed.

An economy under strain results in uncertainty. Financial security is tested in times of job losses and uncertainty. Retirement options may disappear as folk use their savings in time of economic hardship. Dreams end and viable possibilities decrease.

How do people cope? Those with a deep faith and those who are grounded in a spiritual practice may flourish. Or not.

When challenged at the ground of your being, do the prayers and mantras still work? Or is there another level of commitment and focus involved?  I find myself awake at odd hours of the night; wondering why I am awake. Listening to the radio, I hear people’s stories of hardship, worry and concern.  Rolling over, I say my trusted mantra. I was still tossing and turning—and, thoughts still racing through my mind. Mindfully, focusing on my breathing, counting slowly, I drift off to sleep. But not for long.

Mantras, prayers, and breathing exercises may not immediately give the desired effect. Sure, they have their place, however sometimes we need to process what is going on. We need to process rather than suppress what is going on in our world. Not just the big wide world where we may feel overwhelmed at the complexity and enormity of what is happening, but in the world, our jobs, our children, partners and our role in the world. To unscramble all the information takes time. A good way for me is scrubbing bathrooms and floors or a power-walk around town.

Do you know what works for you to get a grip on the confusion, to realign your path for the future?

We might need to take time out, and be gentle with ourselves As we re-adjust to new possibilities, refocus on what is essential, what do we want out of life at this moment—thinking about what is feasible, doable, and the possibility of new dreams.

My solution to sleepless nights? A hot cup of tea, journaling or reading a good book and a hot water bottle!

What is yours?

Do you get up and do something creative, or do you stay in bed?

  Seek Peace and find it within.

Discernment

For some people, the environment they work in has a direct effect on their productivity and focus. The layout of their office, open plan or closed office, a beautiful view or only a wall may have an impact on their mood.

The environment I am in is conducive to my morning practice. A nice warm room, lighting a candle, and some incense are key for my mental preparation.  The fragrance of sandalwood filling my room, a candle in front of the icons on my little table to help me centre on inner stillness. I breathe slowly and focus on the breath entering and leaving my body, as I prepare for my meditation.

Today’s reflection was an invitation to discern, where God is calling me.

The question: “Am I willing to let God guide me in every part of my life?”

Every part of my life? What I eat, how I exercise, what I read, whom I love, career choice, and my political decisions? There are many parts to my daily life’s opportunities.

I am not sure about you, but it made me slightly uncomfortable. In general, I would suggest that God’s desire for us is to be happy, compassionate and caring towards others and walk humbly with our God. I felt uncomfortable because I am an independent person who doesn’t like to be told what to do!

How do we know what God’s desire is? How do we discern if God has an idea or opinion on aspects of life, rather than the sum of these? Are we sure that God is interested in our mundane lives? Will God punish us if we go our own way? I suppose an underlying issue is, do we trust God to be clear in her direction?

To follow God’s calling, we can walk a variety of paths. A sacrificial path, a path of freedom, we can follow our gut feeling or try to follow the directions in Scripture, to name a few.

I believe God is interested; I believe God wants the best for us, so that we become whole. I also believe God wants us to lead meaningful lives. Our personal vocations differ, whether we are to be the best doctor, plumber or religious, we have our own lives to live to the best of our ability.

Ignatian Spirituality offers an insight in discernment. In his own life, St Ignatius learned that certain things brought him closer to God. His heart burned with love and excitement; at other times St Ignatius became withdrawn, disquiet or even restless. He suggested discernment on life-decisions can be made by paying close attention to how we feel.

Consolation is when we feel close to God, desolation when we feel further away from God. This may sound easy; however, it takes some practice to decipher what your desire is and what course of action to take to follow God’s will. In some instance, we may want to ask others for their insights, to be able to draw a conclusion.

I believe that God wants the best for us. I think that the awareness of my attachment to being independent has helped me to let go and trust God. This has also helped me to step back and look at what options I have for the future. To focus on creative endeavours, like writing a blog and craft work. These creative activities help me to connect with the Divine and grow in that relationship.

What helps you to discern God’s intentions for you?

 

Seek Peace and find it within.

 

 

Writing as Spiritual Practice

People are busy. The demands of work, exercise, team sports and family life, in general, does not leave much time for hobbies or spiritual practices. During the lockdown due to Covid-19, there was an initial panic of how the country would cope without our busy schedules. The country coped very well. The air became cleaner; the birds returned into the city, sounds from further away became audible again. It seems nature sighed a sigh of relief. And so did the people. We found a new rhythm, and it wasn’t always easy. However, the demands ‘of the office’ could be dealt with at home. Sure the children missed their mates, people died, and others wanted to get married. Life during lockdown was no ‘picnic’. It sure had its challenges.

 

On the other hand, people took a good look at their present lives and commitments. Some decided to retire, others to re-evaluate their spending of money and time. In the wake of what is happening in the world, things became relative. In general, people valued having time to themselves and enjoyed family life.

  

I wonder how many people re-engaged with a spiritual practice, whether in the form of art, prayer or meditation. Spiritual Disciplines include a wide variety of practices.

Writing is a tool for reflection and gaining insight, if you trust your inner wisdom to come out. As a child, I used to keep a diary, nothing earth-shattering, I was far too worried someone might find it. I still find journal writing a helpful tool to process life experiences and an excellent tool for self-care and discovery.

 

Henri Nouwen said:

 “Writing can be a true spiritual discipline. Writing can help us to concentrate, to get in touch with the deeper stirrings of our hearts, to clarify our minds, to process confusing emotions to reflect on our experiences to give artistic expression to what we are living and to store significant events in our memories”.

 

Writing as a spiritual practice, is more than writing liturgy or prayers. It is a tool to gain insight and to develop intuition, or more precise to be attentive to the nudging of the Spirit.

Writing as a spiritual practice challenges me to be honest with myself, to question my beliefs and the teachings of the Church. The dogmas may be black and white. Life is not. Life is more than the grey-scales some see; there is an exuberance of colour and excitement.

 

Now that I have reached the age of maturity, I no longer want to look over my shoulder and worry what other people think. There is no need to hide behind the common held beliefs; it is time to explore and decipher what those beliefs and philosophies means to me.

Writing is a gift from God, like painting and all other creative expressions. The fascinating part is that when I put my fingers on the keyboard, I never know what rolls out of my fingers. Words can be tricky; they have a life of their own!

 

Whatever you write, be honest with yourself and trust your inner wisdom. The saying “Don’t ask if you are not prepared to hear the answer” might be right for some places, I think you might be surprised if you trust the writing process.

Another saying is: “When you ask the question, you are ready for the answer, (which is already within you)”. In many cases this will be true too. At times in our writing, we may surprise ourselves, we may have an inclination, but writing helps to process the quests of life.

 

There are many posts and articles on writing as a spiritual practice. If you want to explore this, you could start with writing about ‘how you are feeling today’, or ‘what is your deepest desire’. Reflect on what you need to feel at peace, or what you do when you feel at peace.

 

Happy writing!

 

Seek Peace and find it within

To Worship or not to worship

Can anyone have too many books?

I love books. Books that challenge my thinking and perspective on life. Books that take you across the world into a variety of cultures and give an insight into other people’s hopes and dreams. Books that teach me skills, from cooking to needlework or languages; books that stimulate my curiosity, that give me a glimpse of insight into the world we live.

 

Needless to say, we attended the local book fair over the weekend. There were a lot of people, silently moving around the endless tables with novels, scanning titles and authors. A separate hall with cooking and gardening books was soon filled with cries of excitement, as someone found the perfect cookbook, while children rushed around to the kid’s corner. The supply seemed never-ending. We went back twice, as new boxes were brought in when space became available. Novels were put on the table as they came out of the box, not on alphabetical order, so if you were looking for a specific title or author, you had to go around all the tables. A church, full of tables.

 

I sensed a slight panic with some volunteers. They were supposed to close at midday, so they could clear the space for Sunday worship. There were too many patrons, still milling around; there were far too many books to call it a day.

 

It seems worship requires a particular space—a sense of sacredness, a sense of peace and quiet. Although to be fair, that is my idea of communal worship. There are other traditions where a band offers music, rather than a pipe organ! So stillness and quietness are relative.

 

Worship, according to Wikipedia, is an act of religious devotion usually directed towards a deity. An act of worship may be performed individually, in an informal or formal group, or by a designated leader. Worship means different things to different people.

 

In my church, I have noticed that some people genuflect or bow to the cross, as an acknowledgement to the Divine Presence who is present in the place of worship. It seems odd though… We know that God is present everywhere. God is within us and around us.

 

For me, I sense God’s presence at the beach. However, I don’t bow to the beach. I assume God is present in the Supermarket; again, I don’t bow when I enter the shop. I wonder what worship means to others and even to God.

 

You are all aware of the debates if God requires our worship or not. I suppose God doesn’t. It is for us and our sense of relationship. I wonder if it is like many relationships. My children know I love them; still, it is important to nurture that relationship, talk to each other, and share our life stories. To celebrate and grow that relationship with God, I need to invest time and effort, pray and sit in silence, for that is the time I find God’s voice is most apparent.

 

Worship, music, song and dance, preaching, and all other aspects of what we name as worship, is for our benefit.

I am sure you are familiar with some dramas of the faith community, where singing becomes a performance or is a ‘put off’ for those in the congregation. Another point of contention is the length and the message of the sermon. I don’t know what kind of music God likes, and I don’t know whether God wants to hear one sermon after another, words, and more words.

Frankly, I wonder if all God needs is for us to love God as we love our neighbour and ourselves. I wonder if all God wants for us is to take care of Creation and engage in our spiritual practice–not for God’s sake but ours. 

What do you think?

 

 Seek Peace and find it within.

Shoes

God in all things and all things in God.

Finding God in all things, the invitation to encounter God in all we do, is an essential part of Ignatian spirituality. The possibility of an encounter with God is not limited to our spiritual practice or when we visit a church or other sacred space. Ignatian charism encourages the believer to pay attention to the inner movement of the spirit, growing our awareness of feelings and emotions as we go through our days. This all helps us discern God’s presence in an around us.

Within the Catholic tradition, there are a variety of Religious Orders, each with their charism.  Franciscans, for example, are called to living a gospel life. The heart of gospel living is about relationships: relationship with God, others and self. Dominicans are a preaching and teaching order; the Benedictines are known for their balance of ‘Ora et Labora’–pray and work. Jesuits are famous for the Spiritual Exercises and the Examen of finding God in all things.

The brief list above only describes the Roman Catholic flavours. The Protestant churches offer other characteristics. There are Liberals, ‘literalists’, and those who focus on music or preaching. Another aspect can be how community orientated the Church is. Do they value social engagements or are people like ships meeting in the night? Finding a church community that ticks all the boxes might prove to be a challenge!

On my quest to find some shoes or boots, it struck me that finding the right Church is similar to discerning what shoes to buy. Do I acquire a pair for a season or a lifetime? High heel, no heel, boot or shoe. And if I buy boots, do I want ankle boots or calf boots? Plain or with some interesting features? The same questions apply for my shoes, do I buy pretty shoes or practical shoes, with laces or ‘pull-on’; not to mention the options around hiking boots!

When we look for a church, do we chose the one closest to us? Or where we went as children? Or maybe there is a church for each life’s season?

In today’s society, people move around; adolescents leave home to go to university, or work outside the town they grew up in. Apart from the school-leavers, older people move around too. Professionals move around with work. Others move because of family. Young people may gravitate to a more energetic way of worship unless they prefer a structured approach. Families with young children will make a different choice than those with teenagers.

Choosing a church is not quite the same as buying shoes. You have to work out what you want or need from a church community, and where you sense God is calling you to. As we grow older and our faith and understanding deepens, we may want to look around.

If you go to Church, was the choice you made, a conscious decision of where to go? What was the main reason for your decision? And if you have left the Church, is it a good time to find a new pair of boots?

Seek Peace and find it within.