There are countless paths onto the heart of the Mystery that claims our heart. Often called spiritualities, these winding ways entice us and invite our full, total response. Monks in solitary cells, ascetics, wandering teachers and preachers, nuns who dedicate their lives to the care of others in the name of justice, may come to mind when we consider spirituality. Techniques such as mindfulness, fasting, chanting may be used. But most of us, with our crazy-busy days, have trouble relating to much of what seems to constitute the spiritual life. We crave deeply to become freer, more fully alive, more loving, more truly human and we cannot see a connection between this deep inner hunger and a lot that proven traditional (and misunderstood) spiritualities seem to require. They just don’t fit us. We’re not world-class spiritual athletes.
The Judeo-Christian scriptures offer numerous examples of what could be labeled mini-spiritualities. In just a few verses at a time we can find clues to how we might enter more deeply, more completely into a positive relationship with the Presence that calls us to fullness of life and, at the same time, into dynamic, creative, life-giving interaction with all that makes up our shared world, including our self.
From time to time I hope to unpack the riches of one or another of these mini-spiritualities in this space. In the meantime, take care.