Just This

1. Contemplation: Seeing Reality with New Eyes

The contemplative mind does not tell us what to see, but teaches us how to see what we behold.

Shifting perception. Contemplation is about developing a new way of seeing reality. It involves moving beyond our habitual patterns of thinking and perceiving to embrace a more open, receptive stance towards the world. This shift allows us to see things as they truly are, free from our judgments, preconceptions, and ego-driven interpretations.

Transformative awareness. Through contemplative practice, we learn to:

• Observe without immediately categorizing or judging
• Recognize the interconnectedness of all things
• Experience a sense of awe and wonder in the ordinary
• Move beyond dualistic thinking to embrace paradox and mystery

By cultivating this contemplative gaze, we open ourselves to deeper insights, greater compassion, and a more profound connection with the divine presence that permeates all of reality.

2. The Divine Ambush: Surrendering to Grace

God can then come to you indirectly, catching you off-guard and free from your illusions of control, when you are at least somewhat empty instead of full of yourself.

Letting go of control. The spiritual journey often involves moments of unexpected grace that catch us by surprise. These "divine ambushes" occur when we're least expecting them, often in moments of vulnerability or openness. By loosening our grip on our need for control and certainty, we create space for these transformative experiences.

Embracing vulnerability. To open ourselves to divine ambushes:

• Cultivate an attitude of receptivity and trust
• Practice letting go of expectations and preconceived notions
• Embrace moments of not-knowing and uncertainty
• Recognize that transformation often comes through surprise and disruption

As we learn to surrender to grace, we discover a deeper sense of peace and connection with the divine, even in the midst of life's challenges and uncertainties.

3. The True Self: Discovering Our Identity in God

Your True Self is who you objectively are from the moment of your creation in the mind and heart of God, "the face you had before you were born," as the Zen masters put it.

Beyond ego identity. The concept of the True Self points to our deepest, most authentic identity that exists beyond our constructed ego self. This True Self is our eternal essence, the part of us that is one with God and unaffected by the ups and downs of life.

Uncovering our essence. Discovering and living from our True Self involves:

• Recognizing the impermanence of our ego-driven identities
• Cultivating awareness of our deeper, unchanging nature
• Letting go of attachments to roles, titles, and self-images
• Embracing our inherent connection with the divine

As we learn to live from our True Self, we experience greater freedom, authenticity, and a sense of unshakeable peace that comes from knowing our true identity in God.

4. Suffering and Surrender: Transforming Pain into Growth

Necessary suffering allows us to grow, but "in secret" (see Mark 4:26–29), which is an amazingly common concept, both in the teachings of Jesus and of many of the mystics.

Embracing discomfort. Suffering is an inevitable part of the human experience, but it also holds the potential for profound transformation. By learning to embrace our suffering rather than resist it, we open ourselves to deeper growth and spiritual maturity.

Alchemizing pain. To transform suffering into growth:

• Develop a non-reactive awareness of pain and discomfort
• Cultivate patience and trust in the transformative process
• Recognize suffering as an opportunity for deeper surrender
• Look for the wisdom and lessons hidden within challenging experiences

As we learn to surrender to the transformative power of suffering, we discover a deeper resilience, compassion, and connection with both ourselves and others.

5. Non-Dual Consciousness: Embracing Paradox and Unity

When you move to non-dual thinking, God is no longer "out there," but not just "in here" either. For the great mystics of all religions, God is always experienced as abiding in their own soul and, in seeming contradiction, as totally transcendent and mysterious to them at the same time!

Beyond binary thinking. Non-dual consciousness involves moving beyond our habitual either/or thinking to embrace a both/and perspective. This shift allows us to hold seeming contradictions and paradoxes without needing to resolve them, opening us to a more expansive and unified view of reality.

Cultivating unity awareness. Practices for developing non-dual consciousness include:

• Embracing paradox and mystery
• Recognizing the interconnectedness of all things
• Moving beyond judgments of good/bad, right/wrong
• Cultivating a sense of oneness with all of creation

As we develop non-dual awareness, we experience a profound sense of unity with God, others, and all of creation, transcending the illusion of separation that causes so much suffering.

6. Practices for Spiritual Growth: Cultivating Presence and Awareness

To be present, you can neither cling nor resist. Contemplation teaches you how to hold the moment with both hands, to sit in the tension without insisting on release.

Embodied spirituality. Spiritual growth requires more than intellectual understanding; it demands embodied practices that help us cultivate presence, awareness, and openness to the divine. These practices serve as essential tools for rewiring our habitual patterns and opening us to new ways of being.

Essential practices. Key spiritual practices include:

• Contemplative prayer and meditation
• Mindful awareness of breath and body
• Cultivating silence and solitude
• Practicing presence in everyday activities
• Engaging in compassionate action and service

By consistently engaging in these practices, we develop greater capacity for presence, compassion, and connection with the divine in all aspects of our lives.

7. The Universal Pattern: Death and Resurrection in Everyday Life

The universal spiritual pattern is death and resurrection, or loss and renewal, if you prefer. That is always a disappointment to humans, because we want one without the other—transformation without free choice or any surrendering to it.

Embracing cycles. The pattern of death and resurrection is not just a religious concept, but a universal principle that plays out in our everyday lives. By recognizing and embracing this pattern, we can navigate life's challenges with greater resilience and trust in the transformative process.

Living the paschal mystery. To align with this universal pattern:

• Recognize the impermanence of all things
• Embrace endings as opportunities for new beginnings
• Trust in the transformative power of letting go
• Look for signs of renewal and rebirth in challenging situations

As we learn to live in harmony with this universal pattern, we discover a deeper sense of peace and trust in the ongoing process of transformation that is at the heart of the spiritual journey.

Last updated: August 2, 2024