Sunday Musings – October 25, 2020
This week reminded me that I am particularly fond of the illusion of being in control; that I can make plans, do my homework, and righteously expect all the other characters in this play of life to do the parts to which they have been assigned. When the other characters do not follow the script I get frustrated, upset and at times judgmental. At the same time, I am reacting I am acutely aware that I have no idea what is going on in the lives of the other characters in the play. Just recently I wrote about the fact that it is impossible for me to walk in the shoes of another.
Yesterday, while meeting with a client, I was reminded of the novel The Shack by William young. Although the story comes out of a Christian framework it is the same story that wise teachers have taught for years. In this story, Jesus, posing as a simple cook in a lakeside shack or cabin suggest to a father whose young daughter has been raped and killed that it is safe to trust that his daughter is at peace and he can forgive the man who committed this terrible act, As the story unfolds we find, not surprisingly, that he did not actually revisit the shack and spend time with the three persons of the trinity but be does somehow know the location of his daughter’s body.
The theologians and the psychologists could and have debated about how this story relates or does not relate to the commandment of Jesus and other spiritual teachers to love one’s enemy. In fact, many theologians have debated what love in this context entails, how that concept of love affects the judicial system and who benefits from forgiveness. That same debate then has to tackle the issues of free will and personal responsibility. The answer to these questions may force one to confront one’s humanness and how one can move on after judging and hurting others or being judged and hurt by others.
Once again I am reminded that the attempt of us humans to hold on to religious (not spiritual) explanations for why we behave as we do can lead us to discount what science teaches us about the human brain and all the various factors which affect what neurons fire, how they fire, and what is retrieved or left dormant in the brain. The amount of brain activity to form one simple thought is enormous. Yet, science also teaches us that there are other forces which affect how our brain functions, our so-called emotions and how these interact with all the energy forces of the universes.
On this Sunday morning I continue to be aware of the fact that questions invariably lead to more questions which can lead to humility and an openness to the miracles of everyday life. Today I know that I seem to have the ability to direct my focus to acceptance of both my powerlessness and the power which arises from accepting my powerlessness; the power to be non-judgmentally and lovingly present; the power to accept the minor role of my character in this play of life.
Written October 25, 2020
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickettjf@gmail.com
This week reminded me that I am particularly fond of the illusion of being in control; that I can make plans, do my homework, and righteously expect all the other characters in this play of life to do the parts to which they have been assigned. When the other characters do not follow the script I get frustrated, upset and at times judgmental. At the same time, I am reacting I am acutely aware that I have no idea what is going on in the lives of the other characters in the play. Just recently I wrote about the fact that it is impossible for me to walk in the shoes of another.
Yesterday, while meeting with a client, I was reminded of the novel The Shack by William young. Although the story comes out of a Christian framework it is the same story that wise teachers have taught for years. In this story, Jesus, posing as a simple cook in a lakeside shack or cabin suggest to a father whose young daughter has been raped and killed that it is safe to trust that his daughter is at peace and he can forgive the man who committed this terrible act, As the story unfolds we find, not surprisingly, that he did not actually revisit the shack and spend time with the three persons of the trinity but be does somehow know the location of his daughter’s body.
The theologians and the psychologists could and have debated about how this story relates or does not relate to the commandment of Jesus and other spiritual teachers to love one’s enemy. In fact, many theologians have debated what love in this context entails, how that concept of love affects the judicial system and who benefits from forgiveness. That same debate then has to tackle the issues of free will and personal responsibility. The answer to these questions may force one to confront one’s humanness and how one can move on after judging and hurting others or being judged and hurt by others.
Once again I am reminded that the attempt of us humans to hold on to religious (not spiritual) explanations for why we behave as we do can lead us to discount what science teaches us about the human brain and all the various factors which affect what neurons fire, how they fire, and what is retrieved or left dormant in the brain. The amount of brain activity to form one simple thought is enormous. Yet, science also teaches us that there are other forces which affect how our brain functions, our so-called emotions and how these interact with all the energy forces of the universes.
On this Sunday morning I continue to be aware of the fact that questions invariably lead to more questions which can lead to humility and an openness to the miracles of everyday life. Today I know that I seem to have the ability to direct my focus to acceptance of both my powerlessness and the power which arises from accepting my powerlessness; the power to be non-judgmentally and lovingly present; the power to accept the minor role of my character in this play of life.
Written October 25, 2020
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickettjf@gmail.com
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