In late 2007, I applied for and received a volunteer position at my church as a sermon researcher. I figured that this might be my only opportunity to use my religion degree, so I pounced on it. In all, there are 7 of us, 4 gathering material for 2 sermons, and 3 gathering for 3 sermons. The topics range from child rearing to reaching the Promised Land. I got two—one on love and the other on evil. Hmmm. Two of the biggest and broadest topics out there and I got them both. My first question to myself was, “Why couldn’t I have the one on the transformation of suffering?” After all I feel largely qualified after my 2 year nervous breakdown and recovery. However, I trust that God has plans for us, to prepare us, to guide us, to strengthen us. I have lived the “transformation of suffering” and now, I suppose, the time for love has come.
The exact title of my first sermon was “What does love demand of us?” Not a simple question. I scribbled down some of my first thoughts and then I went a’searching. To begin, I went to those whose lives were a celebration of love, both earthly and divine—Teresa of Avila who is reported to have levitated when she prayed, the Buddha, Thich Naht Hahn who was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, as well as Jesus of Nazareth, among others. Many have written about such figures, even starting religious traditions in their names. So that is where I began.
First let me tell you this before I go any further. Though we might each have different answers to this question—and I encourage you all to ask it of yourselves—I have compiled a list based on the recurring themes I found in the two main areas of my exploration, Judeo-Christian and Buddhist traditions. Also, because the points of this list require some explanation, I am intending this newsletter to be sent in parts. Again, if anyone wishes to be removed from my newsletter list, please reply to that effect. I will not feel slighted or injured. My goals in writing to you all so often are to spend more time in the practice of writing while at the same time becoming more comfortable with being known on a deeper level. These opinions of mine are simply that, opinions, though I will often quote or paraphrase others. But none of this is intended to convert, convince or denounce some other Way. This is where I am in my life and I would like to share more of my life with you. Please feel free to comment if you wish. I love to hear what you are thinking.
Now off we go! What does love demand of us?
Initially I had to clarify this question. It was just too broad, too awkward. Did it mean that when we fall in love we will automatically become slaves to some new code of conduct? Was it referring to romantic love at all or was it more general? I decided to reword it a bit. “What does loving well demand of us?” Suddenly the question didn’t beg “what kind of love?” Instead the question evoked a sense of universal application and an image of cultivation. Then another incarnation. “What do we need to do in order to develop the ability to love well?” Oh, how I love the more active sense of this question. It allows for loving well to be an engaged process, open to big and small failures and successes. No judgment, no perfection involved. Was I answering the same question at this point? I didn’t know, but I also didn’t care. This to me was a better question, a more human question, a question with forgiveness built into it. Ahhh. This was a question I could approach without fear.
So what did I find? Well, I found a sort of 7-point program that looks something like this. In order to love well you must:
· Do the work of understanding yourself and others
· Practice self-love and care
· Learn to see the oneness of humanity/all living beings
· Develop a spiritual practice such as regular prayer or meditation
· Be willing to make sacrifices and live simply
· Be peaceful/non-violent
· Stay with Truth
Enough for now.
Love and regards,
Tiff
2 comments:
I was intrigued by Teresa of Avila's ability to levitate. I recall that levitation was also one of the miracles of Buddha. Wikipedia dedicates an entire page to saints and levitation and another to paranormal levitation. One of the perks of Transcendental Meditation, which is a trademarked way to meditate that you have to pay to learn how to do, is that through hard work and study (and enough money given to them) you will be able to fly when you meditate. This is known as yogic flying. I'm beginning to think that I am the only one that can niether fly nor levitate. I really need to dedicate more time to cultivating my superpowers.
Oh wait - your post was about love, not levitation. See what happens when you start poking around on wikipedia? Before you know you it, your research on Teresa of Avila has you reading about yogic flying.
The idea that living simply improves your ability to love is an interesting one. Seems like the Amish would agree with that. And the Pope, who is constantly telling us that Western commercialism is bad and keeps us from knowing God (I'm paraphrasing heavily of course). So now I'm curious to read the rest of the posts to see if you elaborate on that.
In "Tweak", Nic Sheff talks about going to 12-step programs and working with his sponsor. One of the phrases they use is "you are as sick as your secrets." Seems like that was lifted straight from the Gospel of Thomas.
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