Thank you for another helpful article. Itβs a reminder that can help us get back on some sort of track. I know that even small acts of kindness add up They help me, the giver and at least during the moment they help the receiver feel something nice amongst the chaos. And I hope it changes the vibration of things on the planet - the butterfly effect. And your suggestion to focus locally is excellent. The need has never been greater.
I'm going to put this up as a Restack as well, because I think you've captured something essential here:
We (or me, at least) have danced around this idea of spirituality. That what is happening right now is only political in natureβand perhaps, in the halcyon days of 2015, it primarily was.
There is, of course, morality without spirituality. Spirituality/Morality is a Venn diagram. I have no idea how big the overlap is; but I suspect it is larger than one might think.
I can only speak of the Christian tradition. The βbrand,β in the United States, may be (likely is) beyond repair. Smaller, more liberal, denominations have aged out. (For the most partβspeaking in general terms. My current assignment is closing those small churches, a kind of hospice ministry.) Christian Nationalism is a poisonous, invasive heresy which has nothing to do with Christianity and everything to do with Nationalism.
So, I think this is spiritual survival, yes.
However, also a paradox: We are in a room with a death bed and a birthing bed right now. Nothing gets at this idea better than Vanessa Machado de Oliveiraβs βHospicing Modernity.β (worth checking out.)
A long way around to second Loriβs point: yes, this is spiritual survival. So that, by surviving, we can birth something new and good, compassionate and honest.
I can wholly understand why β when you're surrounded by Christian Nationalism β you'd think the "brand" is beyond repair John, but I don't think it is.
The spiritual/ mystical experiences I've had throughout my life (hence my excitement when you wrote of transcendent experience) have led me to the understanding that modern day Christianity has completely missed the point. And the miracles I can bare witness to β things that I've personally experienced that break the laws of science β tell me that God is still here, however we may think of them. But we're looking in completely the wrong place.
It's my deep desire to write about this at some point, although I'm tempered by my fear that I won't be able to put that which is beyond words into words. But everything I've written thus far is guided by a still small voice, so I trust that come the right moment, that will be too.
And yes β it is wholly new and good, compassionate and honest. There is hope, John.
When I say the "brand" has been compromised or broken, I mean the way things are being done right now is, as you mentioned, missing the point.
But there is, and justifiably so I think, a good deal of animus toward Christianity for this missing the pointβor worse, poisoning the point.
On the rare occasions when I where my collar in public (hospital, funeral, visiting), the way people react has changed drastically in the past twenty-five years. There is still some friendliness, but there is also wariness and, at times, hostility.
There are such rich veins in the tradition that have been discarded. All of this is part of the reclamation project. And you're right: it is hard. We do not have the language yet to describe where we want to go. We don't even know where it IS that we want to go.
You will find the words when it is time. They will be poetic. And mystical.
Perhaps it is time to start the Meister Eckhart Book Group. π
Absolutely. I took a week off from here and the news. Made a huge difference. Spent time with an out of town friend and started my summer romance beach reads list. Those are a great escape during these times. Be informed, but donβt let it consume us.
That's so important Jane, but so many of us get caught up in "I'll just stop after I've..." and never do really step away. Well done for following through and actually doing it. π
Thank you I needed this today. Iβm doing all I can with protests, signing petitions and writing postcards to the vote out. I will survive Iβll get by π΅
Thank you. I needed this. It gets so overwhelming and I often believe Iβm not doing enough, have to do more. Itβs so helpful to ground and recalibrate. Thank you for your wise words and guidance. ππ½
Americans, I offer you my sincere condolences. You took democracy, rights, and freedom for granted, you forgot to protect and cultivate them, and now, without critical thinking, you have elected a patrimonial autocrat.
Thank you for another helpful article. Itβs a reminder that can help us get back on some sort of track. I know that even small acts of kindness add up They help me, the giver and at least during the moment they help the receiver feel something nice amongst the chaos. And I hope it changes the vibration of things on the planet - the butterfly effect. And your suggestion to focus locally is excellent. The need has never been greater.
You're welcome Shari, and you're so right in everything you've said. ππ¦
That is so beautifully written and helpful. NM
Thanks for your kind words Nan. I'm glad it's helpful. π
I'm going to put this up as a Restack as well, because I think you've captured something essential here:
We (or me, at least) have danced around this idea of spirituality. That what is happening right now is only political in natureβand perhaps, in the halcyon days of 2015, it primarily was.
There is, of course, morality without spirituality. Spirituality/Morality is a Venn diagram. I have no idea how big the overlap is; but I suspect it is larger than one might think.
I can only speak of the Christian tradition. The βbrand,β in the United States, may be (likely is) beyond repair. Smaller, more liberal, denominations have aged out. (For the most partβspeaking in general terms. My current assignment is closing those small churches, a kind of hospice ministry.) Christian Nationalism is a poisonous, invasive heresy which has nothing to do with Christianity and everything to do with Nationalism.
So, I think this is spiritual survival, yes.
However, also a paradox: We are in a room with a death bed and a birthing bed right now. Nothing gets at this idea better than Vanessa Machado de Oliveiraβs βHospicing Modernity.β (worth checking out.)
A long way around to second Loriβs point: yes, this is spiritual survival. So that, by surviving, we can birth something new and good, compassionate and honest.
I can wholly understand why β when you're surrounded by Christian Nationalism β you'd think the "brand" is beyond repair John, but I don't think it is.
The spiritual/ mystical experiences I've had throughout my life (hence my excitement when you wrote of transcendent experience) have led me to the understanding that modern day Christianity has completely missed the point. And the miracles I can bare witness to β things that I've personally experienced that break the laws of science β tell me that God is still here, however we may think of them. But we're looking in completely the wrong place.
It's my deep desire to write about this at some point, although I'm tempered by my fear that I won't be able to put that which is beyond words into words. But everything I've written thus far is guided by a still small voice, so I trust that come the right moment, that will be too.
And yes β it is wholly new and good, compassionate and honest. There is hope, John.
Not surprisingly, Lori, we agree on this.
When I say the "brand" has been compromised or broken, I mean the way things are being done right now is, as you mentioned, missing the point.
But there is, and justifiably so I think, a good deal of animus toward Christianity for this missing the pointβor worse, poisoning the point.
On the rare occasions when I where my collar in public (hospital, funeral, visiting), the way people react has changed drastically in the past twenty-five years. There is still some friendliness, but there is also wariness and, at times, hostility.
There are such rich veins in the tradition that have been discarded. All of this is part of the reclamation project. And you're right: it is hard. We do not have the language yet to describe where we want to go. We don't even know where it IS that we want to go.
You will find the words when it is time. They will be poetic. And mystical.
Perhaps it is time to start the Meister Eckhart Book Group. π
I'm so glad you clarified that John, thank you. (Though it hurts my heart a little that a cleric's collar is regarded with wariness, and worse.)
Forget the revolution β I think we need a relove-ution. Meantime, sign me up for that Meister Eckhart Book Group. π
Absolutely. I took a week off from here and the news. Made a huge difference. Spent time with an out of town friend and started my summer romance beach reads list. Those are a great escape during these times. Be informed, but donβt let it consume us.
That's so important Jane, but so many of us get caught up in "I'll just stop after I've..." and never do really step away. Well done for following through and actually doing it. π
Thank you I needed this today. Iβm doing all I can with protests, signing petitions and writing postcards to the vote out. I will survive Iβll get by π΅
You're welcome Stacey, I'm glad it helped. Keep fighting the good fight!
Thank you! We will get by we will survive
Thank you. I needed this. It gets so overwhelming and I often believe Iβm not doing enough, have to do more. Itβs so helpful to ground and recalibrate. Thank you for your wise words and guidance. ππ½
You're welcome Kristin β I'm glad it helped you. π
Americans, I offer you my sincere condolences. You took democracy, rights, and freedom for granted, you forgot to protect and cultivate them, and now, without critical thinking, you have elected a patrimonial autocrat.