Last weekend I ran a half marathon with my husband. I’m sore, and my time wasn’t anything to write home about. But I did it. A sense of accomplishment can definitely be important to our sense of well being.
I notice this same pattern emerging when it comes to my spiritual life. Whenever I understand a new concept, I feel accomplished. When this concept impacts my life in a positive way, it is a joyous occasion!
I have loved reading “Going Home: Jesus and Buddha as Brothers” by Thich Nhat Hanh. The teaching is just so good.
Here is a section that I recently highlighted:
“We may be thinking of God in terms of ups and downs and birth and death and I and you, and this is very dangerous. “Hallowed be your name.” This is a very strong teaching. We have to rid ourselves of all notions of God in order for God to be there. The Holy Spirit, the energy of God in us, is the true door. We know the Holy Spirit as energy and not as notions and words. Whenever there is attention, the Holy Spirit is there. Wherever there is understanding, the Holy Spirit is there. Wherever there is love and faith, the Holy Spirit is there. All of us are capable of recognizing the Holy Spirit when it is present.
It is the same with mindfulness. If a sister is mindful, we know that mindfulness is there. If a sister is not mindful, we know that mindfulness is not there. If a sister’s eyes are brilliant because of faith and love, we know that faith and love are there. The same thing is true of the energy we call the Holy Spirit: It should be recognized not as an idea, not as a word. You and I, all of us, are capable of doing so, and then we are not bound by, or slaves to, notions and words, and we know how to cultivate the Holy Spirit.”
When we are not bound by notions and words, we know how to cultivate the Holy Spirit.
This thought has been so life giving to me. Perhaps it will be to you, too.
This Sacred Life 