The Interpretation Required By Spirit…
Life itself is the school of the Creator. Though there are many colleges, universities and other forms of formal education available throughout the Earth, most of these forms of education are focused on learning information about the way that something was done in the past and how to reenact or recreate the same. The problem often arises in that all of the factors that were present when a particular outcome was generated have changed. Nothing is ever the exact same way again. This is the active dilemma for the consciousness of human nature. We have become accustomed to using training wheels for everything. That is understandable (to some extent) in the beginning, but when you prolong the use of training wheels, your capacities for generation and expression in the NOW recede. Who is present? Who trusts Spirit in motion? Is Spirit a form or can I let Spirit use this form? Do I need an external form in order to let “this form” express Spirit? Actually, you can’t use a form to truly commune with Spirit. There is only one way to for me to express Spirit: I have to do it! This is true for each One of us…
In each moment, Spirit is available to the extent that I AM available to Spirit. Oh, Spirit is all around us. We are each a part of Spirit. However, I cannot let Spirit’s true Light shine unless I AM willing to shine it. I must be the form that Spirit is permitted to work through, for Spirit to shine in my world. And this, moment to moment outworking, will never be true to Spirit as long as any substitutes are placed before Spirit.
People gather in pseudo-spiritual configurations. However, so often, people forget that Spirit must be called on and specifically acknowledged in the beginning in order for that which is Sacred to be known. It is never the same connection and cannot be known without, what I call, a metaphorical removal of One’s shoes. Our feet can symbolize our “understanding.” We remove the clutter of our minds as we specifically call aloud to our Lord and King. In the NOW, and in each beginning, what is most Sacred? What is Hallowed? “Hallowed by Thy Name.” I must come to the One, to know what His Spirit calls unto Creation in the NOW. The beginning is simple and may rightfully always begin through our individual and collective desire and willingness to be a Servant to the One!
These are the thoughts that are moving through me. I invite you to click on ‘comments ‘ and share your thoughts and experiences on this subject.
July 5th, 2008 at 6:32 am
In my professional life, I have been a high school educator for over 30 years, first as a classroom teacher and then as a school counselor. Early on, it struck me that most instruction is a passive activity for students, at a time in their life when they are bursting with energy and vitality. So I initiated an experiential outdoor adventure program, first for special education students, and later expanded to include all students. A sample of activities offered were rock climbing, kayaking, canoing, group initiatives and orienteering, with a strong emphasis always on teamwork. The opportunities for students to learn directly from immediate, natural consequences were obvious and, in some cases, produced dramatic results. At the end of every activity, we would sit in a circle to process (discuss) our experience and the applications to ‘real life’ situations in school community and family.
Then, when faced with the need to earn further graduate credits to maintain my teacher certification, I couldn’t bear the thought of sitting in a lecture hall myself to learn yet more theories. Instead, I created my own graduate course centered on an outdoor expedition in Colorado (with a wonderful organization called Educo)and an independent study with a Colorado State University professor whom I never did meet in person, much to my dismay. In my final research and reflection paper, I focused on the use of experiential outdoor adventures as a means to foster discussion and insight into needed behavioral changes for my students. I will never forget his comment, which hit a deep place in my awareness: “Everyone experiences much more shoulder to shoulder than face to face.”
As I recall these early days of counseling, I recognize the wisdom of Life in guiding me into offering experiential activities to my students. As my professor highlighted, it is the experience of ‘BEING’ together in a living situation that may naturally and gently bring insight and possible change, not necessarily the formal discussing, analyzing and planning for change. In an era when we are flooded with words and information, is it not time to honor the wisdom inherent in a momentary experience, by virtue of the Spirit of Life? This is available spontaneously through each person who is open and engaged in momentary living.
As I sit here I ask myself how much have I embraced living in total openness to the Spirit in each moment, willing to come naked of any past conditioning or training wheels? I acknowledge that I am on the path, but have much to learn. Oh, do I need another course? perhaps a new book? NO! I simply need to open my heart, mind and body to the momentary message from the Creator and be willing to move with that omnipotent and omniscient impulse of the moment. Everything is contained in the Now–how very efficient!