Gifts
Each day I attempt to set a spiritual goal which is challenging and, yet, simple and attainable. As is true for many humans, I have a long history of complicating what is essentially simple. Often, as was true this morning, I am reminded of the song “Simple Gifts” written by Elder Joseph While who was at the Shaker Community in Alfred, Maine. The lyrics are”
‘Tis the gift to be simple, ‘tis the gift to be free
‘Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
“Twill be in the valley of love and delight.
When true simplicity is gained,
To turn, turn will be our delight,
Till by turning, turning we come ‘round right.
As is my habit I borrow or take from others what makes sense to me while leaving that which does not make sense. I hope that that others do the same with me. In the case of the Shakers I greatly admire their focus on simplicity which is evident in their dress, their life style and even their furniture. I do not subscribe to the Shaker belief as articulated by Mother Ann Lee who believed the fall of Adam and Eve was related to sexual intercourse. Thus, Mother Ann Lee believed that one should give up all lustful gratification which of course included sexual relationships. Obviously, a celibate community cannot prosper and will have to keep adding new recruits or it will die out. All but one of the communities have died out.
Today, I know that I do not need a complicated theology or even philosophy to direct or justify my existence. For today it is enough that I show up with acceptance of self and others and do my best to live in harmony with all I encounter. Having said this I am free to be present with love to myself, others and mother nature. I think it was the Buddhist nun, Pema Chodron who once suggested that a spiritual goal might be as simple as enjoying a good cup of coffee. I think it was Nikki Giovanni, the poet, who suggested that there is nothing worse that having an unequal share of riches and not even bothering to enjoy them.
This morning I met with his sweet, good man who in running from his pain has often missed the passionate joy which resides in the same internal closet. In fact, the paradox is that we only feel deep pain when we allow ourselves to experience deep joy.
Spiritual goals are often about gratitude, whether it is for that first cup of coffee, the working of my body as I perform morning absolutions, the quiet of the early morning or the late evening, the touch of a friend, or laughing with a friend,.
Spiritual goals are, for me, the essence of the freedom to be present for no other reason than to assume my place in this human drama no matter what my particular role on any given day or in any given moment. Unlike Mother Ann Lee I will not run from my human passions but embrace them as gifts to be used wisely and respectfully.
‘Tis the gift to be simple, ‘tis the gift to be free
‘Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,
Written February 26, 2018
Each day I attempt to set a spiritual goal which is challenging and, yet, simple and attainable. As is true for many humans, I have a long history of complicating what is essentially simple. Often, as was true this morning, I am reminded of the song “Simple Gifts” written by Elder Joseph While who was at the Shaker Community in Alfred, Maine. The lyrics are”
‘Tis the gift to be simple, ‘tis the gift to be free
‘Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
“Twill be in the valley of love and delight.
When true simplicity is gained,
To turn, turn will be our delight,
Till by turning, turning we come ‘round right.
As is my habit I borrow or take from others what makes sense to me while leaving that which does not make sense. I hope that that others do the same with me. In the case of the Shakers I greatly admire their focus on simplicity which is evident in their dress, their life style and even their furniture. I do not subscribe to the Shaker belief as articulated by Mother Ann Lee who believed the fall of Adam and Eve was related to sexual intercourse. Thus, Mother Ann Lee believed that one should give up all lustful gratification which of course included sexual relationships. Obviously, a celibate community cannot prosper and will have to keep adding new recruits or it will die out. All but one of the communities have died out.
Today, I know that I do not need a complicated theology or even philosophy to direct or justify my existence. For today it is enough that I show up with acceptance of self and others and do my best to live in harmony with all I encounter. Having said this I am free to be present with love to myself, others and mother nature. I think it was the Buddhist nun, Pema Chodron who once suggested that a spiritual goal might be as simple as enjoying a good cup of coffee. I think it was Nikki Giovanni, the poet, who suggested that there is nothing worse that having an unequal share of riches and not even bothering to enjoy them.
This morning I met with his sweet, good man who in running from his pain has often missed the passionate joy which resides in the same internal closet. In fact, the paradox is that we only feel deep pain when we allow ourselves to experience deep joy.
Spiritual goals are often about gratitude, whether it is for that first cup of coffee, the working of my body as I perform morning absolutions, the quiet of the early morning or the late evening, the touch of a friend, or laughing with a friend,.
Spiritual goals are, for me, the essence of the freedom to be present for no other reason than to assume my place in this human drama no matter what my particular role on any given day or in any given moment. Unlike Mother Ann Lee I will not run from my human passions but embrace them as gifts to be used wisely and respectfully.
‘Tis the gift to be simple, ‘tis the gift to be free
‘Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,
Written February 26, 2018
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