pathways to peace
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Journey |
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Several years ago I presented a three-part series of Sunday
Messages that I would like to revisit today in one straightforward reminder.
The Buddha said, “The best way to God is all ways.” For
me, even in the midst and reality of my human waywardness, I have found three
effective ways to a highly tangible experience of God’s Presence and Power that
consistently transcend external circumstances in my life. As spiritual
practices, I find these three to be foundational, unified, and
transformational. I’ll call them Pathways to Peace. They are:
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Gratitude
In the day-to-day experiences of life, is it easier to
express complaints or appreciation? Which one do you think finds its way from
our mouths to God’s ears more often? (Well, there really is plenty to complain
about, isn’t there?) Yes, in our world, there is plenty of room for needful
change and improvement. But gratitude is not about ignoring or denying that
which is difficult or challenging, it is actually confronting it with
immense power. Gratitude is about consciously opening up to divine
possibilities that exist outside the frame of the picture that we see with our
human eyes in any situation. Gratitude is about actively building a pathway in
consciousness that ultimately creates goodness from even the most dire of
circumstances. Gratitude is fully opening your soul to the truth of God’s
existence in all conditions.
Have you ever experienced something that on the surface
appeared or felt “bad,” but later on proved to be an enormous gift? It is wise
to practice withholding immediate judgment about good or bad. God moves most
powerfully in our lives with the energy of thanksgiving.
“If anyone could tell you the shortest, surest way to
happiness and perfection, he must tell you to make a rule to yourself to thank
and praise God for everything that happens to you. For it is certain that
whatever calamity happens to you, if you thank and praise God for it, you turn
it into a blessing.” –William Law
(20
Things To Be Thankful For)
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Patience
There is a wonderful Zen saying about patience: “Slow down
and the thing you are chasing will come around and catch you.” Speed has its
place, but being unconsciously caught up in an “Are we there yet?” mentality can
have harmful effects in our collective society and individual lives.
Stop. Breathe. Relax.
Practice patience.
Patience is strength.
Be still and know that I am God. (Psalm 46:10)
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Prayer
Many years ago I read Joseph Schmidt’s book, Praying Our
Experiences. I appreciated this concisely written book because it was an
empowering reminder that prayer is not a lofty spiritual practice reserved
solely for ministers, rabbis, priests, monks, nuns, gurus and the "high and
holy" who happen to be good with words and/or are in some way extraordinarily
connected to God. Prayer is for everyone, and does not necessarily have
to be centered on words or ritual.
Prayer is simple, honest, heartfelt communication with God
expressed exactly as you are, where you are, in the manner that suits you.
“Praying is living. It is eating and drinking, action
and rest, teaching and learning, playing and working. Praying pervades every
aspect of our lives. It is the unceasing recognition that God is wherever we
are, always inviting us to come closer and to celebrate the divine gift of being
alive”
-Henri J.M. Nouwen
At the beginning of this message, I wrote that gratitude,
patience and prayer are unified. I stand by that assertion. Gratitude,
patience and prayer are absolutely interconnected; though expressed differently
in word, thought or feeling, they are virtually the same thing.
Gratitude, patience and prayer are the Face of God,
made manifest in our world, by you.
I encourage you to practice them. Today. Tomorrow.
Always. |