Post Script

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Capitol, cynicism, disregard, heart, heart of the Divine, hope, lovingkindness, selfishness, The Sophia Center for Spirituality, unity

Don’t get me wrong about yesterday’s post. I am not advocating a dismissal of the horrific damage done to the revered symbols of our democracy at the Capitol in Washington and the rage that precipitated the damage yesterday. I am simply suggesting that we dig deep into ourselves and our culture for what and who drove the participants to such violence. There is a cancer in our midst, much more virulent than the Coronavirus that is killing so many of our citizens every day. The disregard of those who refuse the precautions like wearing masks, social distancing, etc. is an indication of how lax citizens have become, how little some people care for the common good. Rather, we are now living in an attitudinal shift to what feels good for me and what I can get—rather than what I can give. Even as I write that I cringe while thinking of all the magnificent people and groups who have formed my attitudes of generosity and willingness to spend ourselves in doing good.

How have we come so far that we cannot stop the waves of cynicism and selfishness that invade our privileged status as “the greatest country on earth?” We need a taste of humility to shake us into wakefulness. We need an infusion of lovingkindness that will bring us back to care for the poorest among us. We need the example of the great ones who have gone before us, those caring folk who may have little to give but give it anyway, those whose love shines out with confidence that others will see and hear for the good of all.

We are bereft because the virus keeps us from physical contact. Can our works and words touch those hearts that long for connection? Can our eyes speak what our hearts are longing to say? Can a look of love wash over someone who is starving for companionship? Can a sweet song be a balm for someone else’s pain? What can we do to break through the walls of distress, the rivers of frustration, the towers of neglect? When we cannot love the sin, are we at least able to make an attempt to love the sinner?

Although all this may seem just platitude, it is truly the desire of my heart for us as individuals to live in wakefulness, as communities to live in solidarity and as world community to live in hope—for a unity that surpasses all division so as to lead us deep into the heart of the Divine.

The Mystery of Evil

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agents of evolution, cynicism, evil, Jan Phillips, light, No Ordinary Time, opposition, shadow, suffering, The Sophia Center for Spirituality, visionary, wisdom

Yesterday my co-facilitator, Cheryl, and I were speaking about today’s book-club meeting. We’ll be considering chapter 4 of the book No Ordinary Time, by Jan Phillips. Both of us commented on our hesitation when considering the chapter title: “The Mystery of Evil.” We admitted we’d rather skirt that one in favor of the uplifting discussions we’ve encountered thus far. No worries. Jan has a way of stirring up readers and motivating to action so that anything (like saving the world) seems possible. Here are some thoughts from the introduction to the chapter that will most likely form the basis for our conversation today.

…there’s nothing I struggle with more, nothing I know less about than the nature of evil. It is everywhere around us, advancing as exponentially as we appear to be advancing in intelligence. It is the shadow to our light, and therefore I suspect, it will always be with us. But I am hopeful, as I believe along with Helen Keller that “although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of the overcoming of it…”

This is not the Middle Ages. This is the time in history when humans have become aware of ourselves as agents of evolution. It is not happening to us, but through us. It is not a higher caliber of weaponry that will bring our success, but a higher caliber of consciousness…

And because we are dealing with an entirely new worldview, with the creation of a new myth, based not on separation and a fall from grace, but on oneness and ascendancy into our true potential, the revelations of our collective wisdom will take some time to supersede the old myths. They will meet with opposition, cynicism and a wild clamoring against change. Since so many are profiting from things as they are, and since we collectively fear letting go of the known, the forerunners of change will be addressing minds that are closed and frightened. And this is the great challenge for any emergent prophet or visionary – to know that one’s ideas will be criticized and resisted, yet to dare to speak, knowing that these thoughts are the only building blocks we have to a new and safer world. (No Ordinary Time, pp.89, 91)

Well said, indeed!