Sunday Musings – June 11, 2017
Here in my little corner of Wheeling, West Virginia it is a lovely, sunny, summer morning with nary a care in the world. One of the neighbors is mowing grass. The birds are busy finding treats in the grass and doing church in the nearby gigantic evergreen. Their voices could rival the most passionate human choir. Nearby highways carry people and goods to their destination. One could easily delude oneself in thinking that all is right with the world. Yet, I have read the newspaper and listened to NPR. A family I know is mourning the death of their artistically talented, kind son following a dispute which involved a gun. In fact, there is a long list of recent deaths in the obituary section of the newspapers. Some are from natural causes and some from illness which stopped the life journey of many “before their time. Some are the result of violence. Still other are a result of addiction. Many I know and many more who I do not know are branded as criminals and are languishing in prison. Some are fighting what they believe are just or necessary wars. In other words, life goes on. Despite longer life spans for some, more mobility and quality of life for others, and a more connected world us humans continue to allow fear, righteous anger and, to my way of thinking, a “unholy” way of honoring God by killing those considered His or Her enemy to guide much of our activity.
A local pastor asks in an editorial in the Wheeling Intelligencer today June 11, 2017, “Does anyone sin anymore?”. I am reminded of the faux sense of security of labeling the sinner and the saints. The author of this editorial, is clearly concerned that we have quit labeling sins and sinner. He names “sexual wrong doing, laziness, sloppiness, destruction of property, declaring bankruptcy, abusing drugs, child abuse, and other sins. I read the entire editorial and feel as if I have been hit over the head with the plowshare which has been beat into a sword. Although the author hints that we are capable of treating each other better, I search in vain for a sense of compassion. Certainly, every spiritual teacher or system I know stresses that we need to be aware of how our behavior affects our own health, the health of others and the health of the universes (s). The 12-step program is clear that we need to acknowledge and make amends for all the way addictive behavior and thinking hurts others. Part of my daily spiritual practice is an ever-increasing honesty with myself about my thoughts and actions.
I grew up being beat with the sword of sin. Often I spend so much time feeling bad about myself that my best self-lay dormant. Self-flagellation takes an enormous amount of energy. It weighs one down rather than allowing one to blossom into the glorious flower one can become.
The paradox is that the more we beat someone over the head with sin the more passively or actively hurtful our behavior becomes. I agree that attachment to sex, money, drugs, power, things, and positions can keep us from being our best selves. So, can attachment to “our truth” as “the truth”.
Today, I will “church” with the birds and later with the Pittsburgh Symphony. I will church as I drive to Pittsburgh, greet my neighbors, and do my best to be my best self in my little corner of the world. Somehow, Theresa May, President Trump, James Comey, Vladimir Putin, and many others will do whatever they are going to do without my sage hands on guidance.
Written June 11, 2017
Here in my little corner of Wheeling, West Virginia it is a lovely, sunny, summer morning with nary a care in the world. One of the neighbors is mowing grass. The birds are busy finding treats in the grass and doing church in the nearby gigantic evergreen. Their voices could rival the most passionate human choir. Nearby highways carry people and goods to their destination. One could easily delude oneself in thinking that all is right with the world. Yet, I have read the newspaper and listened to NPR. A family I know is mourning the death of their artistically talented, kind son following a dispute which involved a gun. In fact, there is a long list of recent deaths in the obituary section of the newspapers. Some are from natural causes and some from illness which stopped the life journey of many “before their time. Some are the result of violence. Still other are a result of addiction. Many I know and many more who I do not know are branded as criminals and are languishing in prison. Some are fighting what they believe are just or necessary wars. In other words, life goes on. Despite longer life spans for some, more mobility and quality of life for others, and a more connected world us humans continue to allow fear, righteous anger and, to my way of thinking, a “unholy” way of honoring God by killing those considered His or Her enemy to guide much of our activity.
A local pastor asks in an editorial in the Wheeling Intelligencer today June 11, 2017, “Does anyone sin anymore?”. I am reminded of the faux sense of security of labeling the sinner and the saints. The author of this editorial, is clearly concerned that we have quit labeling sins and sinner. He names “sexual wrong doing, laziness, sloppiness, destruction of property, declaring bankruptcy, abusing drugs, child abuse, and other sins. I read the entire editorial and feel as if I have been hit over the head with the plowshare which has been beat into a sword. Although the author hints that we are capable of treating each other better, I search in vain for a sense of compassion. Certainly, every spiritual teacher or system I know stresses that we need to be aware of how our behavior affects our own health, the health of others and the health of the universes (s). The 12-step program is clear that we need to acknowledge and make amends for all the way addictive behavior and thinking hurts others. Part of my daily spiritual practice is an ever-increasing honesty with myself about my thoughts and actions.
I grew up being beat with the sword of sin. Often I spend so much time feeling bad about myself that my best self-lay dormant. Self-flagellation takes an enormous amount of energy. It weighs one down rather than allowing one to blossom into the glorious flower one can become.
The paradox is that the more we beat someone over the head with sin the more passively or actively hurtful our behavior becomes. I agree that attachment to sex, money, drugs, power, things, and positions can keep us from being our best selves. So, can attachment to “our truth” as “the truth”.
Today, I will “church” with the birds and later with the Pittsburgh Symphony. I will church as I drive to Pittsburgh, greet my neighbors, and do my best to be my best self in my little corner of the world. Somehow, Theresa May, President Trump, James Comey, Vladimir Putin, and many others will do whatever they are going to do without my sage hands on guidance.
Written June 11, 2017
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