All prayer disciplines are somehow trying to get mind, heart, and body to work as one, which entirely changes one’s consciousness. * * * Apart from Love, any other “handler” of your experience, including the rational mind or merely intellectual theology, eventually distorts and destroys the beauty and healing power of Wisdom. * * * Whereas information will often inflate the ego, transformation utterly humbles us. -- Fr. Richard Rohr, "Daily Meditation," February 21, 2020
There it is: "Whereas information will often inflate the ego, transformation utterly humbles us."
My comfortable, or downhome, definition of transformation came about when I realized I must stay out of intellectual reasonings...that's too ego-easy, for sure the wrong road again. So, transformation is my want-to mentality detached and reworked for the benefit of another. Most often my gold is found when I mentally give over to the one who is ticking me off at the moment, i.e., my so-called "Gertrude."
Giving up my want-to for the benefit of another is the long and lonely road of spiritual growth...it always feels wrong, not to mention unfair, and never forget too hard...and for Gertrude?! Imagine my surprise when I found out that's when we're doing it right. Striving to overcome self for the benefit of another is pretty much like growing old...it ain't for sissies.
Ah, but like old age is called the golden years, it really is the golden gift. Breaking through the self-barrier is a feeling unlike any other. Free of self for a nanosecond compares favorably to last day of school when we were six years old...and heading for the public pool.
Giving over, giving up, giving in is the hidden gift that keeps on giving to us. There is, I'm convinced, no authentic spiritual growth without an inside need to love the God of our own understanding above all and our enemy before ourself. I'm working on it...fortunately, I have a good Teacher.
Thank you.
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