Two comments after sharing this Facebook post piqued my interest:
We are all ONE with nature, as well as with all our fellow humans, so why is it that we continue unabated to destroy our Mother Earth without seeming to care about that important part of our Being? It’s a conundrum, indeed. ~Margaret S.
And why are we so busy trying to destroy each other?! ~LaVerne H.
Margaret suggested I write a blog post about my take on the matter. So here goes.
WHY???
Many factors contribute to this conundrum, I’m sure, but, as an ordained Christian minister, there is one that interests me most. I believe the suppression of love is at the root of it.
My education about the suppression of love expanded a couple of years ago when some women friends from church and I embarked on a study of the lives of women mystics. As a Protestant, most of the names were unfamiliar to me. I had heard of Julian of Norwich, Saint Teresa of Avila, and St. Therese of Lisieux, but knew next to nothing about them. If memory serves me, these women were not even mentioned in my seminary training. Nor do I remember them mentioned in my years of Christian education as a youth and active adult lay leader.
Experience: A Mystic’s Language
Theologians may quarrel, but the mystics of the world speak the same language. ~Meister Eckhart
In contrast to a wrathful, angry, distant God who punishes sinners, mystics overwhelmingly emphasize a relational God who loves human beings and all of creation with abandon. It is their experience of connection with The Divine that confirms this.
The important thing is not to think much but to love much; and so do that which best stirs you to love. ~St. Teresa of Avila
I know by what I have experienced that divine love conquers all things. ~Catherine of Genoa
God is pure, unadulterated compassion from beginning to end. ~Julian of Norwich
Praised by You, my Lord, with all Your creatures, especially Sir Brother Sun, Who is the day and through whom you give us light. And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendor; and bears a likeness of You, Most High One. ~St. Clare of Assisi’s love poem to all creation
Lord, Make me an instrument of thy peace … where there is hatred let me sow love … ~St. Francis of Assisi
The height of soul is reached in love, therefore those who would storm the heights by fierce inhuman effort deceive themselves sorely and bear within themselves grim hearts, for they have not the virtue of holy humility which alone can lead the soul to God. ~Mechtild of Magdeburg
To say that I am made in the image of God is to say that love is the reason for my existence, for God is love. Love is my true identity. Selflessness is my true self. Love is my true character. Love is my name. ~Thomas Merton
Love is the physical structure of the universe. ~ Teilhard de Chardin
Big-heartedness is the most essential virtue on the spiritual journey. ~Matthew Fox
…use a contemplative gaze to look at the world around us. Signs of love abound, reminding us of God’s essential nature. ~Richard Rohr
Somewhere in those depths of silence I came upon my first experiences of God as a loving presence that was always near, and prayer as a simple trust in that presence. ~Cynthia Bourgeault
Supression
The teachings of mystics are often at odds with church authorities and orthodox doctrine. These courageous souls from our past stood firm. Contemporary mystics continue to stand firm. All of them at great personal cost.
- Most of the women mystics we studied lived in the 1200s-late 1500s. They constantly worked to reconcile their experience of divine truth with orthodox doctrine, maintaining that their personal experience and revelations were as authoritative as scripture. Needless to say, this was not a popular viewpoint among those in power.
- In the early 1200s, despite opposition from the so-called authorities, Clair of Assisi never failed to say what needed to be said. She maintained her brave and uncompromising stance for thirty years.
- Catherine of Sienna (1347-1380) passionately participated in public and political events, puncturing the arrogance of rich, powerful, so-called learned men.
- In the mid-to-late 1500s, inquisitors constantly nipped at Teresa of Avila’s heels because she emphasized interior prayer and love. She outwitted them, chose her words and actions carefully, and survived the Inquisition.
- From the late 1930’s, with the publication of his first book, Rome essentially tried to obliterateTeilhard de Chardan, a priest and paleontologist. His books were banned. He was not allowed to teach and told to stop writing and publishing. Awards were cancelled or he was not allowed to accept them. Permission to translate his books into other languages was denied. He was even denied permission to live in France, the country of his birth. It wasn’t until after his death in 1955 that those who appreciated his writing and their mystical message published them.
- In the 1960s, Thomas Merton’s contemplative writing won world-wide recognition and led to voluminous correspondence with well-known leaders. He was occasionally forced to battle with the abbots in the monastery for permission to travel outside its walls.
- In 1984, an investigation into the writings of Matthew Fox, a Dominican priest, was ordered by Cardinal Ratzinger, who later became Pope Benedict XVI. Even though the investigators found nothing heretical, Ratzinger objected to Fox’s writings on original sin and attempted to silence him by forbidding him to teach or lecture for a year. Due to continuing theological conflicts, in 1993, his Dominican order expelled him. In 1994, he was accepted as an Episcopalian Priest, where his ministry focusing on Creation-Centered Spirituality is more warmly received.
Missing the Mark
Jesus never asked anyone to form a church, ordain priests, develop elaborate rituals and institutional cultures, and splinter into denominations. His two great requests were that we “love one another as I have loved you” and that we share bread and wine together as an open channel of that interabiding love. ~Cynthia Bourgeault
In my opinion, the institutional church and those who perpetuate its disempowering message of unworthiness, fear, and division miss the mark of Jesus message … and that contributes to “why it is that we continue unabated to destroy our Mother Earth without seeming to care about that important part of our Being? … why we are so busy trying to destroy each other?!”
Imagine
Just imagine how different our world would be today if our spiritual centers taught us how to love ourselves enough to have the capacity to love and value each other as we are uniquely created and to cherish our magnificently created world. Imagine the healing that would usher in.
We are in need of an awakening … an ability to see through the eyes of love … a transformation in consciousness … a revolution of the heart!
Jesus has been waiting a long time for us to get it. Our Creator has been waiting even longer. And most amazing … despite our blindness and hardheartedness, we are loved and cherished with abandon. Isn’t it about time we started to act like it?
Thank you, Linda, for writing this thoughtful and beautifully written blog post. Your words reflect what I am similarly finding on the journey with the mystics, to include the current mystic, Cynthia Bourgeault. The church has indeed, in many respects, missed the mark; I consider myself blessed to be in the company of heart centered people who courageously delve into ancient mysticism.
Thank you, Pam, for your kind words about my writing. Much appreciated.
It has been a joy to watch your enthusiasm for your spiritual journey grow and evolve.
Thanks for reminding us to drop the concept of ‘other’ and embrace everything as ‘us/we’. You have pointed out this is not a new concept but what is new is the incredible need at this time in every part of our lives. You are making a difference Linda. Keep up this ‘Great Work’ as Thomas Berry called it.
You give a different and nuanced meaning to what I wrote. Yes, it seems that “othering” is at the root of all the hatred and violence we see in the world today. Certainly not what Jesus had in mind.
Thanks for the accolades. I hope what I write makes some kind of difference. I do my best.
Well said, Linda. Thank you for bringing it together and bringing it home.
Thank, Teresa,
You know what it is like to be marginalized. I admire your courage in being faithful to the way the Spirit works in you.
Thank you, Linda, for this wonderfully-written summary of the message of the mystics. You have pulled together their common theme by selecting just the right quotations from each of them. I am finding in my own life that what you articulated in this blog post is true — it is the experience of connection with the Divine that is most important in my spiritual journey. Taking the time to connect seems to be the path that has led the mystics to their common experience of love.
I am very grateful to be on this journey into the power of love with such caring and deep-thinking friends.
Thanks, Carol, for your kind words about my writing. Means a lot to receive such feedback. How else will I know how I’m doing.
I agree … connection is so important … with the Divine and especially with the Divine within. Makes all the difference.
Such a blessing to have a valued community to journey with you.
Outstanding succinct presentation, Linda. Bravo. 🙂
Do you think our fear of loving truly, deeply is connected to the suppression of Jesus’ real teachings? So sad traditional Christianity has made our lives harder and added suffering when Jesus is quoted as saying, “I came that you might have life and have it abundantly.”
Hugs,
Penny
Thank you, Linda, for answering my question in such a succinct manner: “I believe the suppression of love is at the root of it.” Although the mystics of my Catholic upbringing expressed this in ways I did not understand when I was young, there was always the common theme (Love) which you’ve pieced together so beautifully from their words. This Truth is born into all of us, but somehow we lose it along the way, only to redefine it when our search for Truth takes us full-circle back to self-Love, and then it all flows from there.
Thank you for the question, Margaret, and your encouragement to write a blog about it. I am so sorry to hear that even though, as a Roman Catholic, you were introduced to the message of Love from the mystics, you were not helped to understand it. Probably because the leaders didn’t understand it themselves. It does seem to take growing older and obtaining wisdom for us to get a glimpse of it. I agree that self-love is important, and I feel most challenged by Jesus new commandment, “Love one another AS I HAVE LOVED YOU.” That’s quite a standard to live up to … loving as Jesus loves. Reminds me of another Teilhard quote: “The day will come when, after harnessing space, the winds, the tides, and gravitation, we shall harness for God the energies of love. And on that day, for the second time in the history of the world, we shall have discovered fire.” At that point, we will have glimpsed how much more powerful is the “Power of Love” than the “love of power.” Seems we have a long way to go yet. Thank you so much for your comment and kind words about my writing.
Thanks, Penny, for your kind comments about my writing and your Bravo! 🙂 Much appreciated.
I think the suppression of Jesus real teaching is a part of it … but I also think that his teaching is so deep it is hard to grasp and most people just don’t get it and aren’t willing to “do the work” to get it. I know I have my limitations when it comes to “doing the work.” Sometimes I’m stuck where I am and like a two year old, my “no” does me in. It takes a gift of grace when we are in a really tough spot to open us up on the path of getting it just a little more deeply than ever before. It is such a gift when that happens, one has to wonder why we resist it so mightily. I’m really talking to myself with this response because I recognize a bit of that stubborn two year old in me currently. My only solace is, I can’t move beyond it if I can’t see it and admit to it. So, we’ll see what’s next. I imagine there is even a next after we take our last breath. And that is the great mystery, isn’t it?!?
The love of power is so seductive, it is hard to resist … even by the church. Very dangerous for a religious institution. It is sad. I hope naming it is one very small step toward heal the harm that has been done.
Thank you for your question … it certainly made me go a bit more deeply in making a response. I appreciate the opportunity. Responses are heartily welcomed.