THE OTHER SIDE OF DREAD AND FEAR

Praise is such a fickle bitch. That's all we need to remember when we're worried about looking good in public as opposed to showing our butt in public...neither being a particularly fine state of consciousness, but they pretty much comprise the human condition. Seems like to me at any rate.

I'm convinced it is the human condition that we must loose our hold of...the excuse of the human condition, really. "Fear is the human condition so don't beat yourself up for feeling fear." Since fear is the basis of every human defect of character, according to me, it seems to me we can accept our human condition, but, if we are to find peace (for it is impossible to live at peace in fear), we seek spiritual solace in that human condition. In other words, instead of excusing ourselves we seek a different perspective in order to change...specifically, to change our mind.

Since there are two ways to view everything...from the reasoning mind perspective and/or spiritually...we know we must go beyond reason to love...to live at peace within ourselves.

I am reminded of the story of St. Francis, who, on being asked how to find perfect joy, explained that perfect joy does not come from the adoration of others, or being able to heal others, or by doing great charitable works. He went on to explain the secret of perfect joy:

Brother, suppose we go to that monastery across the field and tell the gatekeeper how weary and cold we are, and he calls us tramps and beats us and throws us out into the winter night. Then, Brother, if we can say with love in our hearts, 'Bless you in the name of Jesus,' then we shall have found perfect joy.

There. That explains to a T why we stay stuck in the comfort of the human condition. While Francis's way is spiritual, noble and holy, it surely sounds very, very uncomfortable.

And that is the paradox of still more spiritual growth...from the reasoning mind's standpoint, you just know it is going to be hard, and it is going to hurt, probably a lot. But it is in the doing, the walking with God to the other side of our dread and fear, that we find perfect joy. Which the human condition can never deliver.

Thank you.