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SEEKING GOD AND “WHOLINESS”
From Age to Age 4
The Road To ‘Wholiness’
This road is so long, and so barren,
are there rest stops along the way?
Evil people with seductions have come along this day.
“What harm?” they say, “To take the weight away?
“There is something wrong with you” they say,
Not to stop for such comforts. Come on, just a little stay.”
But You call me on without such repose,
God of Life, I shall Praise You Still.
This road is so hard, and so rutted,
where are the smooth and level places?
People who have stopped to work on the road call me:
“Why don’t you help us make this easier?
Who are you to just keep on going along your way?”
But You call me on, to watch my step,
God of Life, I shall Praise You Still.
This road is so steep, and its ascent so severe,
how can I continue when all within screams?
“Enough,” my psyche commands, “This road doesn’t end.”
“Turn off to a road that brings you to some land.
You can’t live your life on a road, make better plans.”
But You call me on, to what none can see.
God of Life I shall praise you still.
“My child, you of My Love, it is time that is long,
The road is a moment, a blink and it’s gone.”
Draw on Sabbath and leave false comforts behind,
“My child, you of My Love, it is the mortal that is rutted.
The road is Light, there is no blight.”
Draw on strength of prayer; don’t look for ease along the way.
“My child, you of my Love, it is perception that sees you thus,
The road is your triumph, and sets you free.
Draw on faith each day, reach for me.”
The road is meant to break the illusions of false pretense:
That life is what societies and culture devise,
To keep you occupied.
Achieving, taking, and using, all desperate attempts
to fill the deep void within.
Only this road is the true response to the void --
The journey back to “Wholiness”.
When you feel broken and turn to Me, then I can give you the Grace
To bring you to what your life is meant be.
If you spend the energy to seek me each day
You will find the rest, strength, and the will to travel to its end.
“Do You feel My Breath inside?
Rest and repose will unfold within you.”
“Do you feel My Strength?
Lifted up you shall be, as a feather on a breeze.”
“Do you feel My Love? Peace and Union shall fill your days,
strengthen your will, and give you eyes to see your way.”
Phoeone
What I cry out for, like every being, with my whole life and earthly passion,
is something very different from an equal to cherish:
it is a God to adore. To adore: that means to lose oneself in the unfathomable, to plunge into the inexhaustible,
to find peace in the incorruptible, to be absorbed in immensity,
to offer oneself to the fire and the transparency.
Pierre Teilard de Chardin
In the life to be, there is to be neither envy nor hatred.
No contention, but the humility to rejoice.
In the light of God's Countenance.
The Talmud
Oh Lord, I a beggar, ask of you
More than what a thousand kings may ask of you.
Each one has something he needs to ask of you,
I have come to ask you to give your self.
Sheikh Abdullah Ansari
Search me, oh God, and know my heart;
try me and know my thoughts.
And see if there be any wicked way in me;
and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalms 139:23-24
Wise Words
Words of wisdom are often spoken in tales and parables.
You will find a variety of wisdom to choose from.
Glo and the Orange
Oranges were so rare in Glo's poor family, that she was almost 9 years old before she was presented with one by her wealthy Aunt Ada who had been traveling abroad. Her aunt was so pleased when Glo's little hands wrapped around the succulent orange with reverence. The "ohhhs" and "ahhhs" were abundant, as Glo felt the unusual texture and softness of the fruit, and smelled its fragrance. Glo held it close, and passed it from one hand to another, like two friends sharing a precious gift. She was so grateful, and wanted to give a gift back to her aunt.
"Well, go on and peel it Glo," her aunt said, greedily looking at the orange. Glo looked at her horrified, "O no, I cannot. That would destroy its beauty and shape. I want it always just as it is." Her aunt chuckled at her sincerity, relieved that her knowledge was well beyond this little girl who often in the past had left her stammering. Slightly raising herself she taught, "Its color and feel are beautiful, but those only give you so much; peel and eat it, and you it will give not only wonderful taste but also nutrients for your life." Glo knit her brows, and said, "No, I want to have it just as it is. What if you are wrong; then I won't have even its beauty."
Her aunt wasn't counting on a debate with her gift-giving. Was this going to be "one of those times" with Glo that were taxing and trying to her patience? "Glo, if you don't peel and eat it now, it will rot into a smelly, ugly mass. Please trust me, it is only fresh for so long, and then it dies. Peel its skin off and find the really greater treat inside."
Glo looked at her with some defiance, "Why don't you give me something that can keep it fresh forever -- maybe a special box with the right conditions. Or do you know of something we can inject into it so that it always stays fresh? I want it just as it is for as long as possible."
"Glo," her aunt said in some exasperation, "Why would anyone waste time and money to come up with something to prolong an orange's life. Refrigeration is used to try to keep oranges fresh, as they are taken to different areas. But all this is to have them as fresh as possible for people when they eat them. This orange I brought you, only has a few days left before it won't be any good for eating; and, it will begin to rot. It will decay no matter what. So let's not talk about prolonging what it is now, let's talk about the wondrous taste and nourishment it has waiting for you."
Glo knew her aunt's life had been spent striving for greater wealth and being ever anxious she might lose what she had. Glo looked into her aunt's eyes and saw that she had lost sight of the eternal that could be found in this life. "My dear aunt," she said. "When you let go of trying to hold onto this mortal life which will also die and decay no matter what; and instead use your efforts to bring you to wondrous eternal substance of love, I will eat this orange."
"C - l - a - r - a," Aunt Ada called out as her high heels clicked on the floor with her exit. Glo, smiled, and as she ran out to her favorite tree she hoped her aunt had received her gift of gratitude - a different perspective of what was worth keeping and what to let go of. She showed tree her treat. Then she gave thanks to the Creator of All for creating such a treat. Finally, she looked deeply at the orange and promised to bring its beauty into her little life. One with all, she gently peeled the orange, and savored each section. Clara, Glo's mother, silently amused, stood with Ada at the window. Looking out the window at a little girl enjoying a treat Clara commented, "Are you sure you understood her, Ads (her nickname for her sister)? She seems to be enjoying it." Ada sighed, "I don't know if I will ever understand that girl, but I am going to keep trying. She is so serious, and yet out there she looks so happy and innocent. Clara, she is truly something else, but I love her. I just wish I knew what she meant by all that. "
Phoeone
Market Day
Inspired from the Tales of Nasrudin
(This delightful wise man shows how foolish our thinking can be by using it with others.)
Nasrudin was at the market one day to do the shopping for his ailing wife. Looking at all his purchases, he realized there was far too much to carry by himself. He went to the group of young men who made their money by hauling goods from the market, and with a rueful grimace said, "My wife did not include a list of what I would need to bring in order to take home everything I purchased on this other list. So I will need one of you to help me."
The young men eyed each other because the entire village knew Nasrudin to be a 'challenge' at times. Finally, a compassionate young man stepped forward, "We will be glad to help you with our young legs and strong backs. I see you have quite a load. Where do you live? I can carry a large load a short distance, or two of us can carry less loads, but for a much longer distance." Nasrudin narrowed his eyes in suspiciousness, "Young man, I only want you to carry my load as you follow me home. Why would I tell you where I live? You could come and rob me afterward!"
An Accounting
A provincial ruler called Nasrudin to come and prove he was a wise man and mystic who could see far more into life than others. He was tired of hearing people's complaints. "If you do not prove yourself, I will throw you in prison as a lunatic."
Nasrudin straightened to full height and solemnly spoke: "I see portent in things like demons pretending to be trees and the horrors of old age." The provincial ruler was both fascinated and dubious. "How can you see what something really is and know the future?" And then he added, to be sure to get the true answer, "Your life depends upon your answer."
Nasrudin looked deeply into the eyes of the official, "It is simple. Fear is all you need."
The Thousands
Based on the teachings of the Buddha
Better than a thousand words is One Word that Brings Peace.
Better than a thousand hollow verses is One Verse that Brings Peace.
Better than a hundred hollow lines is One Line of the Law
That Brings Peace.
Better than a hundred years of worship,
Better than a thousand offerings,
Better than giving up a thousand worldly ways
Better even than tending a sacred flame for a hundred years,
Is One Moment of True Reverence:
For the Holy in Life and the Holy Ones in Your Midst.
Better than a thousand years of worldly success
Is One Day Spent in Contemplation.
Better than a hundred years of ignorance
Is One Day Spent in Reflection.
Better than a hundred years of idleness
Is One Day Spent in Determination.
Better to live one day Wondering
How All Things Arise and Pass Away.
Better to Live One Hour Seeing
The One Life Beyond the Way.
Better to Live One Moment In the Moment
Of the Way beyond the Way.
A Parable of Jesus
Matthew 21:28-29
"What do you think? A man had two sons; and he went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work in the vineyard today. The son answered 'I will not' but later repented and went. When the father asked the second son the same request, this son said yes, but didn't go and do the work. Which of these two did the will of his father?"
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