The dispositions, offered here … point to a way where we come to our true selves by going beyond ourselves, discovering who we really are through awareness, love, responsibility and commitment.
Practising resurrection: an invitation to enter into a way of life that leads to life. It is not about trying harder: it is not about achievement or success. These precepts are practical and practised ways of living in a grounded and real way, and they include the following ground-rules:
Is, not should: reminding us how deadening the “should” and “oughts” in our lives can be
Drawn, not driven: hinting at the authentic and gentle movement of the Spirit of God, rescuing us from the tyranny of our addictions and compulsions
Now, not then: moving us away from the grip of regret about the past and anxiety about the future
What, not why: helping us focus on the reality or the facts of life rather than being lost in the endlessness of the often futile question “why?”
Me, not you: allowing us to move away from competitiveness and defensiveness into the grace-filled responsibility of learning to live out of our truth.
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Negative capability…that is, when a man (sic) is capable of being in uncertainties, mysteries, doubts, without any irritable reaching after fact or reason.
John Keats
The poet R. S. Thomas says; “The meaning is in the waiting”. We plumb untold depths, push boundaries, and are extended when we learn to wait. Waiting sifts us; it is also a very fertile place.
Being patient before mystery is the mark of the mature person. Our task is not to clear things up, but to make things (perhaps) a little clearer. How prepared are you to say “I don’t know”?
Can you explore your impatience –
and acknowledge your insecurities
or your need to control?
For a printable PDF of the text of this meditation please click on the link below.
