Diversity

Tags

Br. Nicholas Bartoli SSJE, celebration, differences, diversity, human, light, The Sophia Center for Spirituality

As we struggle toward unity in our homes, our communities and our world, we are also charged with the responsibility to embrace diversity. From our families to the members of the United Nations (meeting this week in New York City) the task is acceptance and understanding. I was reminded of this today by a post from the Society of St. John the Evangelist that called for appreciation of our uniqueness as a way to celebrate the unity of humanity. Here is the post.

Although we may have plenty of differences, it remains true that the Holy One created human beings as perfectly beautiful and in God’s image, shining like stars with the light of Christ. It’s a light reflected through the prism of this world as a diverse offering pouring forth from within each unique human heart. We pray with God’s help we will bear witness to that light, and instead of creating separation from difference, see diversity as a cause for celebration. (Br. Nicholas Bartoli, SSJE)

Eye Problems

Tags

conversation, differences, eye, Jesus, judging others, live and let live, Matthew, The Sophia Center for Spirituality, tragic flaws

Sometimes I’m convinced that I have something in my eye but it turns out that my 70-year old eyes just need a little lubrication on occasion. That’s an easy fix as were the days when, as a child, I occasionally had to go to my mother for help with getting something tiny like a fleck of dirt or – at worst – an eyelash out of my eye. It was always amazing how much larger the offending material appeared than it really was.

Jesus must have been really disturbed by the judgmental behavior of his disciples in today’s gospel text to use such hyperbolic language about seeing clearly. It’s that quote from Matthew 7:1-5 where he warns them to stop judging unless they want to be similarly judged. His follow-up question points to just how serious an infraction judging people is. “Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye” he says, “but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye?” Even a wooden splinter would be quite painful.

It seems to me that judging others is one of our most common “tragic flaws.” We judge people by what they wear, how they style their hair, the color of their skin and where they live as represented by the accent in their speech. How ridiculous is that? One of the more recent red flags for harsh judgment is body art (tattoos) or piercings. Before judging why someone would want to “do that to their body,” we might want to think about that “why” question.

I could go on but I already clearly experienced the message in the middle of the second paragraph when I had to stop writing and put drops in my eyes. (This is not a joke. I really had to do that!) So here’s a suggestion that might make a difference in our consciousness. Before we decide to just “live and let live,” why not strike up a conversation with someone different in some way from you and see if you can come to understand just a bit more deeply why the person looks, speaks or acts in a different manner from you. If we do that, maybe we wouldn’t need so much help getting those planks out of our eyes!

 

 

 

 

 

Good Conversation

Tags

closer, conversation, curious, differences, different, good listening, judgment, listen, listening, Meg Wheatley, messages, relationship, The Sophia Center for Spirituality, Turning To One Another

I’m up early to greet the day with Meg Wheatley’s book, turning to one another. (Yes, the title is written in all lower case letters – most likely to emphasize the desire to have a conversation of equality.) I haven’t visited this treasure for a long time but have been trying to live with its messages nonetheless. It all seems so timely now when, day by day, so much in the world seems so fractured. I don’t know why it called to me as I turned to set my coffee on my side table. Perhaps it’s the appearance of the book itself, skinny but tall and dressed in a coat of red and yellow on its spine. Here are the two paragraphs that wouldn’t let me go this morning.

I hope you’ll begin a conversation, listening for what’s new. Listen as best you can for what’s different, for what surprises you. See if this practice helps you learn something new. Notice whether you develop a better relationship with the person you’re talking with. If you try this with several people, you might find yourself laughing in delight as you realize how many unique ways there are to be human.

We have the opportunity many times a day, everyday, to be the one who listens to others, curious rather than certain. But the greatest benefit of all is that listening moves us closer. When we listen with less judgment, we always develop better relationship with each other. It’s not differences that divide us. It’s our judgments about each other that do. Curiosity and good listening bring us back together. (p.36)

 

 

 

 

 

Long, Winding Roads

Tags

companions, Cynthia Bourgeault, deep meaning, differences, heart knowing, hunger, St. Barnabas, The Sophia Center for Spirituality, understanding, wisdom, Wisdom School

My thoughts right now are many. Rules for writing teach the importance of a strong thesis sentence (or paragraph, depending on the length of the entry) – something that will catch the attention of readers and give them reason to continue reading. During the time it took to unpack my computer and get settled to write I have had at least three possibilities of where to start that might actually take me (and hopefully some of you) somewhere worth the trip. Perhaps I should “cut to the chase” and begin at the desired conclusion which will, I hope, have something to do with diversity not necessarily being dangerous to unity. But, no. Allow me to meander for a moment…

• Today is the feast of St. Barnabas, seen as one of the most important “second generation” disciples who worked tirelessly for the spread of the gospel with St. Paul. Unfortunately, a difference of opinion on the way to proceed with their mission caused a serious split between them over the place in their company of John Mark, cousin to Barnabas and author of earliest canonical gospel. Eventually reconciled, this trio gives credence to the truth that even the best of friends can have differences – sometimes serious and painful ones.
• Each time I travel to Stonington, Maine I am glad to be a companion instead of the driver, at least for the last part of the trip. No road wider than two lanes gets us there and it seems that Route 15 disappears and re-emerges at will! It’s always good to follow the instructions of a GPS in order to get there or – perhaps even more important – to find the way home.
• In last week’s Wisdom School, Cynthia Bourgeault broached the topic of our “wisdom lineage” and linked it skillfully and profoundly with the history of Christianity. For me there was a recognition in that linkage of the responsibility to cherish and maintain our place in that long line of wisdom seekers. There were almost 100 participants in our group, some of whom I have known for a dozen years, some more recently but most only because we share in this community that exists because of our common search for a meaningful spiritual life. This link is deep and heartfelt.

So, here’s my conclusion. Regardless of distance or life situations, those who come to know a hunger for a way to deep meaning will find one another. It may take a long time on a twisting, turning path or just a short stint after a direct highway. It may mean digging deep in “heart knowing” to let go of preconceived notions about personalities and seeming divergences of understanding. We may come home from these blessed events wondering how we will ever live up to the consistent fidelity to the practices that form the container for the gift that is given every time we gather. All those things aside, the privilege of sharing time and space with such fine people is inestimable and can only be expressed in continuous gratitude.

May you find such companions in your life. (Clue: you must stay awake to know  them when they walk by!)