Saint Augustine's prayer is much on my mind this morning. I'm adjusting to a new slant on ego; namely, its strength in aiding in our spiritual growth.
Almost in awe, I recently read Fr Rohr's "Daily Meditation" quoting James Hollis that the very achievement of ego strength is the source for our hope for something better. The ego’s highest task is to go beyond itself into service, service to what is really desired by the soul....
I have been a long time aware that knowing the words and doing the words are two entirely different matters. We must know them to do them, but we must all but forget them in order to live them. Mainly because we get stuck in the idea that we know, we know, we know...all the while stuck in the pain of not moving...i.e., doing.
The concept of ego strength as the source for our hope for something better has been quietly thundering through my thoughts for awhile now. Both my daily Easwaran reading and my God Calling today are all about our doing that which we need.
Easwaran quotes the Buddha's saying, the spiritual teacher only points the way, we must do our own traveling. Then, quoting God Calling, [O]nce I have shown the way...it is by your efforts that [your difficulties] will be surmounted. * * * I take man's effort and bless that.
A possible, maybe, I hope, mini-breakthrough came to me this morning as to my ego going beyond itself into service, service to what is really desired by the soul. What if that is as simple as just getting over myself? That would take an upgrade in my thinking...as in silencing my thoughts, a.k.a. meditation.
Ah, and here comes God to give me a high-five: Faith can develop fully only when we begin to reap the benefits of meditation in our own lives. -- "Words to Live By," Eknath Easwaran, May 7
Thank you.
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