For sometime now in my ongoing desire for spiritual answers, I have been given the suggestion to learn the art of not knowing...not for willful ignorance, of course, but for emptying my egoic mind of...itself, its self-determined objectives.
Take, for instance, this spiritual discipline from a recent Rohr Daily Meditation: One suggestion made by [Zen Roshi] Joan Halifax: Allowing oneself to separate from familiar paths and ways of coping so that one can 'not know.'
To me, getting to "not knowing" is consciously following in the footsteps of the spiritual leaders with whom we identify who have gone before...our doing as s/he did, or aiming to. Praying our thank you without ceasing. Keeping our mind as opinion-free as possible. I'm good with that while driving, while puttering around the house not so much. Which no doubt is when I need it most...when I'm here in my at-home clothes, sipping iced coffee, and fantasizing how my world needs straightened out. In other words, when my ego Lucy ramps up rigid, righteous and right and goes on the march through my head...enough said?
Often, having a sincere desire to follow in the footsteps of the God of our understanding and actually following are akin to apples and cow piles...as in, there is no kinship. To the reasoning mind.
And there it is. There's our stand up and shout Alleluia! Amen! Great God Almighty, I see the light! We have just got to the place of "not knowing." Our sincere desire too often transforms itself into a self-determined objective and leads us right over the edge of the green pasture...that's why his rod and his staff comfort us...they bring us back to rest beside the still water, unknowing yet opened to hearing his word.
Our Father works in mysterious ways his wonders to perform.
Thank you.
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