Behold the Spirit

1. Mystical Experience: The Core of Christian Spirituality

"God is the most obvious thing in the world. He is absolutely self-evident—the simplest, clearest and closest reality of life and consciousness."

Mysticism as essence. Mystical experience, or the direct consciousness of union with God, is the heart of genuine Christian spirituality. This experience transcends traditional religious forms and doctrines, providing a direct apprehension of divine reality. It is not reserved for a select few, but is potentially accessible to all believers.

Obstacles to realization. Our complex human nature often blinds us to this self-evident truth. Pride, fear, and excessive self-consciousness create barriers to perceiving God's immediate presence. The spiritual journey involves simplifying ourselves, letting go of our attempts to grasp or control the divine, and opening ourselves to the reality that is always already here.

Transformative power. Mystical realization has profound implications for Christian life and thought. It infuses doctrine with living meaning, transforms moral behavior from rule-following to love-inspired action, and reorients worship from external rituals to inner communion. This experiential core provides the vitality and relevance that Christianity needs in the modern world.

2. The Gift of Union with God: Already Present and Inescapable

"Union with God is here and now; here and now is union with God."

Present reality. The fundamental truth of Christianity is that union with God is not something to be achieved in the future, but a present gift to be realized. This union is inescapable, as God's love embraces all creation, including even those who reject or are unaware of it.

Incarnation's meaning. The doctrine of the Incarnation symbolizes this truth: in Christ, God has united himself with human nature, not just in one historical person, but potentially in all humanity. This union is given freely, without regard to individual merit or spiritual attainment.

Transformative realization. Recognizing this given union transforms the spiritual life from a striving for future attainment to a grateful acceptance and expression of what is already true. It shifts the focus from earning God's love to living out of the love already received, freeing the soul from anxiety and opening it to joy and creative action.

3. Transcending Symbols: Moving Beyond Traditional Religious Forms

"The symbol reveals God, but wrongly used it hides him."

Symbols as pointers. Religious symbols, doctrines, and rituals are valuable as pointers to spiritual reality, but they are not the reality itself. They can become obstacles if mistaken for the ultimate truth they represent.

Mature spirituality. As spiritual consciousness matures, there is a need to move beyond rigid adherence to symbolic forms to a more direct apprehension of divine reality. This doesn't necessarily mean abandoning traditional forms, but rather penetrating to their inner meaning and experiencing the reality they signify.

Everyday sacramentalism. Transcending symbols ultimately leads to seeing all of life as potentially sacramental. Ordinary experiences and actions can become occasions for realizing union with God, integrating spirituality with everyday life rather than confining it to formal religious contexts.

4. The Non-Duality of God: Resolving the Paradox of Transcendence and Immanence

"God's very transcendence effects his perfect immanence, for 'he ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.'"

Beyond dualism. The concept of God's non-duality resolves the apparent contradiction between divine transcendence and immanence. God is both utterly beyond the world and intimately present within it, not as a compromise between two extremes, but in a way that transcends this dualistic framework.

Implications for creation. This non-dual understanding sees creation as a free expression of God's love, neither a necessary emanation (as in pantheism) nor utterly separate from God (as in strict monotheism). It allows for genuine diversity and individuality within the unity of divine being.

Transformative vision. Realizing God's non-duality transforms our perception of the world. We see God's presence in and through all things, while still recognizing their distinct reality. This vision integrates spirituality with full engagement in the world, avoiding both world-denying asceticism and mere worldliness.

5. Mature Christian Morality: Based on Love, Not Guilt

"All evil actions come from pride and fear, which cannot be rooted out by violence but only by the conviction and the realization of inescapable union with God."

Beyond legalism. Mature Christian morality moves beyond rigid adherence to rules or fear of punishment. It is grounded in the realization of union with God and motivated by love and gratitude rather than guilt or obligation.

Acceptance, not condemnation. This approach emphasizes accepting oneself and others as already loved by God, rather than focusing on condemnation of sin. It recognizes that true transformation comes through love, not through force or self-rejection.

Creative expression. Moral behavior becomes a creative expression of divine love rather than mere obedience to external standards. This leads to a more nuanced and situational ethics, guided by the inner presence of the Holy Spirit rather than rigid rules.

6. The Playfulness of God: Divine Joy as the Source of Creation

"Creation springs from the divine joy. It is the celebration and the sharing of God's interior happiness or, as it used to be called, beatitude."

Joy at the heart of reality. The universe is not the product of divine necessity or serious purpose, but an expression of God's overflowing joy and playfulness. This challenges overly somber or moralistic views of spirituality.

Implications for human life. Recognizing the playful nature of divine creativity frees us from the burden of trying to justify our existence through achievement or moral perfection. It invites us to participate in the divine play, finding joy and meaning in the present moment.

Contemplative attitude. This perspective fosters a contemplative approach to life, appreciating beauty and wonder for their own sake rather than always seeking utilitarian purpose. It sees eternity not as endless duration but as the fullness of the present moment.

7. Contemplation in Action: Integrating Spiritual Life with Everyday Experience

"The contemplation of wisdom is rightly compared with games for two things to be found in games. The first is that games give pleasure and the contemplation of wisdom gives the very greatest pleasure... The second is that the movements in games are not contrived to serve another end but are pursued for their own sake. It is the same with the delights of wisdom."

Beyond formal practices. Contemplation is not limited to formal religious practices but can infuse all of life. Every action and experience can become an occasion for realizing and expressing union with God.

Sacramental vision. This approach develops a sacramental vision of reality, seeing the divine presence in and through ordinary experiences. It transforms work, relationships, and even mundane tasks into opportunities for communion with God.

Balance of action and contemplation. Rather than seeing contemplation and action as separate spheres, this mature spirituality integrates them. Action flows from contemplative awareness, and contemplation finds expression in engaged living, creating a dynamic balance of inner realization and outer expression.

Last updated: November 8, 2024