The soul that is attached to anything, however much good there may be in it, will not arrive at the liberty of divine union. For whether it be a strong wire rope or a slender and delicate thread that holds the bird, it matters not, if it really holds it fast; for, until the cord is broken, the bird cannot fly. -- Saint John of the Cross
The "anything," of course, is any self-determined objective...be it health, wealth, wisdom or love..."however much good there may be in it."
Just this morning I read, "Relinquish every material thing and receive it back again from God." Which to me is the same as the one, :"Seek ye first the kingdom of heaven and all these things will be added unto you."
Talk about your impossible dreams. Or maybe it just seems impossible to me because I can't get passed my wants, dressed up as needs... for others, of course! That's the trouble with wants... most often, they are ego-originated, ego-driven and the ego is the beneficiary. Especially when they look like they have another's well-being in them.
We can tell we're into ego-wants when we find ourselves praying for another's, say, health...all we need pray is, "Thank you for her health just as it is right this very minute." And then trust that God knows if the health needs fixing and just how to go about it.
In truth, the underlying desire, when we're praying for another's health, is for us...to help us not have to hurt for the other. When that's where our real spiritual growth is...in our deep feelings for another. "Thank you" again suffices.
Thank you.
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