January 16th, 2010 Spiritual Transformation
The following is a guest article posted by “Pilgrim’s Progress.” It’s a reflection on an instance of her own spiritual transformation at a time of deep personal challenge. – David
It has been suggested for agapé to occur – and a shift in perception that sees everything as being connected - we need spiritual transformation to occur.
But how?
Perhaps it can occur through practices such as meditation, but this has not been my personal experience. Like others I’ve encountered, my spiritual transformation occurred on a long dark night of the soul. I had run out of options, so in desperation, and not really believing it would work, I prayed for comfort and strength to cope with what lay ahead.
A shift in consciousness occurred; I felt at peace, and knew with certainty that I would have the strength to cope with what lay ahead. But, more than that, I seemed to be in another dimension. I felt connected to everything and everyone, the sense of living within my own ego diminished. Now, being by nature a rational person, I’ve often tried to make sense of this spiritual transformation. Why did it occur at that time?
Perhaps the answer lies in the reason for my prayer at that time. My husband had just been diagnosed with a terminal illness – I knew he needed my support, but didn’t believe I was strong enough to provide it. I simply prayed the truth, “God, you know better than anyone how much this man has done for me, please give me the strength to help him face this time.”
In a sense I was feeling the love of agapé – the love for the other. Not having had children, I was used to just considering myself and my own needs. The love I felt for my husband was a transformation in itself. Whatever the reason for the transformation, it still continues. The feeling of connection with God, nature and each other remains. Of course, being human, my pesky ego can still cause problems. At these times I feel alone, disconnected.
Hopefully, as this pilgim progesses through this journey we call Life there will be many moments of connection and agapé.
Pilgrim’s Progress
January 17th, 2010 at 2:45 am
Thanks so much for sharing that, PP.
I think the shift in consciousness you describe often comes when we're facing exceptional challenges. Those with a traditional faith often interpret it as the hand of a supernatural being reaching out to stir our souls, or, as "Footprints in the Sand," the poem by Shirley Livingston, has it, (http://www.footprints-inthe-sand.com/) the times when God "carries" us. Those with no faith call it wishful thinking.
Neither explanation has ever satisfied me. I don't believe in the Zeus-god of traditional Christianity. But the presence of Theos, of God, is too tangible in my life for me to dismiss it.
The "connection to everything and everyone", agapé, is always there. Becoming conscious of it may be a process of fits, starts, and moments, but they're important moments just the same.
David
January 17th, 2010 at 2:51 pm
The connection is always there but what is the catalyst that makes us see or feel it?I can't say i have ever had that "AHA" moment that says to me- "Finally you have made the connection". There is also a difference between making a connection and putting that knowledge into action. Help me out here.
January 17th, 2010 at 5:28 pm
Crazyheart, your sentence “the connection is always there but what is the catalyst that makes us see or feel it?” – is central to faith.
It seems to need a shift in perception. Until I had my “aha” moment I lived where I think now most of us live -trapped in our own ego. (“my” husband, “my” child etc.)
Your question as to what makes us see it or feel it is a good one. For many, such as myself, it stems from a “dark night of the soul”. Others obtain that shift of perception through meditation. Still others through music and nature.
Putting that knowledge into action is a question I struggle with every day.
Since my shift of perception occurred I find conflict more painful. Every argument is a break in connection -a return to the pesky demands of the ego.
I also find being of service to others less of a chore than previously.
January 18th, 2010 at 12:59 am
Actually, knowing you as I do, through your posts here and at the United Church of Canada's WonderCafe (http://www.wondercafe.ca), I'd suggest that you've experienced many "aha" moments. Your very first article here is testament of that.
I'd quibble with your description "Finally you have made the connection." We have to let go of language that suggests the "connection" could ever have been unmade, ever broken. We have to intentionally and consistently make it clear (often even to ourselves) that we are inseverably part of God and Creation.
That frees us to experience our relationship with God – agape – in all its diversity. Whether in "aha" moments, or a quiet nagging voice that calls us to do more.
I think it's important to recognize that we have that experience imperfectly. After all, even Confucius admitted that the one thing he couldn't do continually was to follow the Golden Rule.
That's why, to me, the message of Christ, and the examples of others from the Buddha to Mohammad to Ghandi and a host of others, is so important. They show us what it's like to live more intentionally in that relationship.
David
January 18th, 2010 at 1:16 am
Both you and CrazyH, commenting about "knowledge into action", brought to mind the song "Tears Are Not Enough." (http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?... The twenty-fifth anniversary of its recording is February 10th.
It, along with other similar efforts that took place around the same time (Britain's Band Aid, and the US collaborative recording of "We Are the World" for example), marked the beginning, it seems to me, of a shift in perception on the part of a great number of people in regards to how to put our knowledge of our interconnectedness into action.
David
January 18th, 2010 at 1:16 am
Both you and CrazyH, commenting about "knowledge into action", brought to mind the song "Tears Are Not Enough." (http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?... The twenty-fifth anniversary of its recording is February 10th.
It, along with other similar efforts that took place around the same time (Britain's Band Aid, and the US collaborative recording of "We Are the World" for example), marked the beginning, it seems to me, of a shift in perception on the part of a great number of people in regards to how to put our knowledge of our interconnectedness into action.
David
January 18th, 2010 at 1:26 am
oops, messed up the link http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?...
[youtube VJN3u1wAWIk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJN3u1wAWIk youtube]
January 17th, 2010 at 10:58 pm
David,
Am I allowed to quibble with you? (Seems a bit unfair seeing this is your site).
Re “finally making the connection” – I think in one sense that connection is always there, but I honestly believe for us to be aware of it, it takes an “aha” moment.
It was only after my “aha” moment described above, that the shift in consciousness occurred and I was able to view past feelings of connection in a more concrete way.
January 18th, 2010 at 2:30 pm
Quibble away
Wouldn't be much of a discussion if all we did was agree, now would it? B)
It seems to me that we're talking about shadings in meaning, rather than any major difference in view. I'm simply always wary of language that makes any event a "requirement" (not the word you used, I realize) of our relationship. For some, and from what you've described your experience is in that sphere, there is a specific moment in time, often tied to a traumatic life event, that they can trace a step in their journey to.
For others, it may be more like the sun rising – something slow and warmth-infusing that they're never quite able to pin down to an exact time. Sometimes it just "makes more sense" as time goes on.
Both, and an infinite variety of variations thereof, are valid. At least it seems so to me.
David
January 18th, 2010 at 2:48 pm
i think maybe i agree with both you and Pilgrims. For some it is a "aha" moment and for others it is a slow awareness and for others it is when the awareness is missing after having it, that we feel the connection. I seem to have brain drain this morning and my words don't hit the right keys. But I hope you get my meaning. Sometimes we don't know what we have until it disappears.
January 19th, 2010 at 3:52 am
CrazyH: you said: "when the awareness is missing after having it, that we feel the connection".
I think that's also a good perspective to understand. Again, I'd argue that awarenes is never "missing." However, I do think that we can become less aware for many reasons. When we go in that direction, I think there comes a point where we realize that an important "voice" in our lives is not as loud as it once was.
What do you think of that?
David
January 19th, 2010 at 3:17 am
David,Crazyh, In regard to David’s comment “awareness is never missing”. I agree in the sense that perhaps we’re born with a “spiritual chip” – so that that shift in perception and feeling of connection is always open to us.
At the same time, we don’t always avail ourselves with this awareness of connection. That is why, eg. in times of conflict, we don’t feel this connection and unity.
July 9th, 2010 at 11:37 am
Wow. I finally decided to see what you were up to. You are up to a LOT!
Amazing rarity: Someone I don't find fault with!
Thanks for clarifying your understanding — a pleasure to agree.