Contemplative Group

Tonight's discussion went in some interesting and important directions. We began by discussing the need to control again, and we noted our desire for Order and Certainty. We quickly realized that exploring the Mystery of the Divine is both beautiful as well as disturbing. For, journeying the path of Mystery can also make us uncomfortable in that we do not always understand it...it is incomprehensible. As we are used to explaining and comprehending various problems, delving into incomprehensibility is often foreign and even frightening to us.

What we discovered is that exploring Mystery must always be tempered with a certain amount of Responsibility...for ourselves as well as those around us. We realized that moving into Mystery often makes us uncomfortable because we are used to equating simply waiting with inactivity and passivity. We are used to "doing" and controlling and shaping the outcomes in a given situation. Interestingly, however, passivity and letting go of control need not always be viewed as negative. Non-action is also a type of action when it is intentional. We must form and re-form ourselves in order to prepare ourselves for right action. That is, in order to be motivated by compassionate engagement with the world around us in a responsible way, we must also be willing to appreciate the Unknown Mysteries of this Life, learn from it, and incorporate it into our daily lives.

I am reminded again of the analogy of water from last week. A rushing river is formed and channeled by its environment. It does not force itself onto that environment but is shaped by that environment. Yet, water also exerts its own force onto its surroundings as well. Over time, its own force can be felt and seen. Simply "being," water eventually cuts its own path while still remaining fluid and adaptable enough to its surroundings. It is not that a river is passive. Rather, its patience and consistency, its active non-action alters its surroundings while also allowing itself to be re-formed by those same surroundings.

Human and Divine Responsibility are difficult questions, and we must continue to struggle with them. We must be honest with ourselves about our questions, the Unknown, and even the anger that often accompanies that incomprehensibility. We do not let ourselves be tossed and driven by any passing wind, but we also must embrace the mysterious unknowability of that fierce wind.

For further contemplation: "The Master sees things as they are, without trying to control them. She lets them go their own way, and resides at the center of the circle."
Lao-Tzu, Tao-te-Ching

We cannot control everything, but we do not simply remain passive either. We engage action through non-action. We approach responsibility through compassion and mystery. Sometimes it is difficult in its incomprehensibility, but the difficulty does not force us into apathy. Indeed, non-action is far from apathetic resignation. Those around us make their own decisions. Those decisions can be horrific and disturbing, and we must be ready to take responsible action towards those decisions. Yet, the mystery of those decisions remains, and we are not responsible for others' decisions. Indeed, it is impossible to be so, and we would drive ourselves mad believing this to be true.

Does "letting go" signify passivity?
Do we feel helpless at the center of the circle? If so, why?
How much control do we believe we should have over Life?
Is it our Responsibility to control the Mystery of Life?
Why do we seek possession of Mystery?
Are we actually called to do this?
Do we equate participation in Mystery with control?
Do we equate Responsibility with control?

Wherever you are on your spiritual journey, you are welcome in this place. We hope you will join us when you can...