I spent an extended period of time a few months ago in the company of and in conversation with a relatively young nun who'd given up her entire career with a major Accounting firm to join the monastery and to lead the monastic life.
She is very aware of all the happenings "out there." But she is articulate about her choice and is very definite in her knowing that the monastic path is not for everyone, only those who feel truly "called."
We talked about nuns who in the old days used to join the monastery to escape from other life issues, and we spent time talking about when you get THE CALL how and when you know it. Then as if on cue, an older ex-nun who lives nearby with her husband, dropped in and added to the conversation: she'd joined when she was 18 years old...and later realized that she was not "called" to serve in the monastic way.
It's a powerful life...this WALK WITH GOD...the trials and tribulations, which even the nuns don't deny. They, too, have daily challenges and tests of faith. Hearing their side of the story gave me some good insight into this path of "walking with God."
Even when you know that you know you could have chosen NO OTHER way, yet life keeps serving you lemons, your faith still can become sorely tested. Again. And Again. And Again.
Then there are those people who are looking on from the outside of those trying to walk diligently in their spiritual path. Some may even point fingers and mock others, asking without words, "Where is your God, now?"
If there are "devils," and "demons," these people, who taunt and provoke without words, are them! Oftentimes, too, it is the folks closest to others and whom they formerly held close and dear, who provoke them the most.
Without any compassion or sense of decency, some of the "devils" and "demons" may point and say, "Let your God deliver you NOW!"
For most people who feel called to serve God in some capacity, whether it is through a monastic life or simply by living life with a full Consciousness of Spirit navigating their way in the world, none would have chosen otherwise, even with the trials and tribulations.
If following Spirit and answering the call of God, indeed, the LOVE of God is a disease, many would pray to catch "it." Even more, they hope and pray that the "disease" of loving God "kills" them to their former ways of walking in the world, i.e. led by EGO.
It's like what the late Philospher Leo Tolstoy says in one of his lessons: "At the beginning of life, a person does not think that the spirit of God is enclosed in a body, believing his life is found in the body. The longer he lives, the more he understands that his true life is found not in the body but in the spirit!"
What is interesting, too, is that the more disruption that occurs in a person's life, the closer becomes his or her connection with God! It's as if, according to Marcel Proust," We don't receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey no one can take for us or spare us."
The disruption occurs and continues so that prior ways of operating in the world are eliminated. There MUST be a break from seeing and being in the world with the intellect and EGO self BEFORE there can be a full connection to Spirit and a view of the world that comes solely from the heart.
Until we are able to walk in the world solely from the heart space and with a sure knowledge and comfort of a Partnership of God, then the eruptions and the disruptions truly DON'T make much sense.
It's critically important at those times NOT to give up and give into EGO! That's what it's willing and challenging you to do. But...DON'T!
That's truly the time that the "devils" and the "demons," too, can try to influence a person's spirit, if he or she is not strong enough in Faith. That is the time that the person is most vulnerable, too, to fall back into old ways and patterns of walking in the world; it's familiar territory and quite frankly, it's an easier walk IN the world.
Don't do it! Walk the walk of faith to the end. There is ONLY ONE purpose for our life and that is to discover, then uncover, then reveal, the Spirit of God walking in and through our lives in US and as US!
"Be ye not comformed to this world but by be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind that ye may prove what is that good , and acceptable, and perfect, will of God!" Romans 12:2
Let the devils and the demons have their way. Let them mock you and throw stones at you. You're strong enough to take it!
Of one thing you can be sure: God will never, ever leave your side! Yes, no matter what you may be going through, no matter how heavy the burden you may be carrying, God will not leave you to walk alone. He is in the midst of all you're g(r)o(w)ing through!
I heard one of Michael Jackson's friends, actually one of Debbie Rowe's and Michael Jackson's friends, say that "It's too bad it took his death for so many people the world over to realize what Michael Jackson meant to them."
Yes, sometimes, in life, it will take DEATH for many to be appreciated. But if, as those who are walking through the "valleys of the shadow of death" realize that God is forever at their side, then people's words, mockery and stones can never truly hurt them, unless they allow those words to creep into their Consciousness.
Jesus was the key example and set the standard for us all of human suffering, mockery and pain. Jesus also was the key example of the ability to rise above the pain and ultimately to be resurrected.
There are people like Michael Jackson, too, who were mocked and scorned in life,
but in death have become"larger than life."
Whatever you may be going through in this day, this moment, this time of your life, know that your day of Resurrection, too, is at hand.
"Never no mind," as I heard a minister recently say. Tell your problems, "Never no mind."
By and by, they will disappear.
I promise!
Namaste',
Che'
NOTE: See this piece about a showdown between Science and Astronomy on Wednesday, July 22 by cutting and pasting URL...http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090720/ts_afp/scienceastronomyeclipseasiatourismsuperstition
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