Ordinary consciousness usually amounts to the inner experience of like/dislike, which is very human and understandable, but also extremely limiting. The important issue is whether or not I can pay attention even when there's no natural attraction. Can I look and really see, can I listen and really hear?
This capacity is what makes the way of Jesus possible. To look at the person whom I dislike, past the anger, addiction, ideology, whatever... the stink of living on the streets... to look and listen until I see their humanity, hear their story, and receive the blessing of being near a divine image bearer, this is the Way which is larger than the normal way. The normal could be called the way of personal preferences.
One can prepare to walk on the "narrow way," which ironically happens to be far more expansive than the "wide way," by practicing the choice of attention. (Simone Weil has argued persuasively that attention is really the only choice that we have. Every time we think that we are choosing is illusory, it's just the gravity of all the forces, societal and unconscious, that pull us to an inevitable, almost predictable end. Our one "Grace" is the ability, only in the present moment, to look and to listen, to pay attention.)
Developing this gift is the "narrow way that leads to salvation," that is, healing and freedom.
Healing from the "great suck of self," (Walker Percy) which leads to addiction, blindness, isolation, violence, and pettiness -- the I, Me, Mine in the George Harrison song.
And freedom to discover the infinite and beautiful hidden in the most surprising places, and people. Freedom to risk and fail, to learn and grow.
The first step onto the narrow way is noticing my personal preferences. Just noticing them without judgement. And then, as I feel able, turn towards rather then away from what is right in front of me, even when turning away is my first instinct. Look, listen, pay attention. See it as if for the first time. Let myself become curious about and humble before the great mystery hidden in everything and everyone.
The Way is always opening up before me in the ordinary circumstances of life, which is why it is essential that I continue to develop the skill of attention.
Thomas Merton pictured it thusly: "We are living in a world that is absolutely transparent and God is shining through it all the time. God manifests Himself everywhere, in everything - in people and in things and in nature and in events . . . The only thing is we don't see it. . . . I have no program for this seeing. It is only given. But the gate of heaven is everywhere."
This capacity is what makes the way of Jesus possible. To look at the person whom I dislike, past the anger, addiction, ideology, whatever... the stink of living on the streets... to look and listen until I see their humanity, hear their story, and receive the blessing of being near a divine image bearer, this is the Way which is larger than the normal way. The normal could be called the way of personal preferences.
One can prepare to walk on the "narrow way," which ironically happens to be far more expansive than the "wide way," by practicing the choice of attention. (Simone Weil has argued persuasively that attention is really the only choice that we have. Every time we think that we are choosing is illusory, it's just the gravity of all the forces, societal and unconscious, that pull us to an inevitable, almost predictable end. Our one "Grace" is the ability, only in the present moment, to look and to listen, to pay attention.)
Developing this gift is the "narrow way that leads to salvation," that is, healing and freedom.
Healing from the "great suck of self," (Walker Percy) which leads to addiction, blindness, isolation, violence, and pettiness -- the I, Me, Mine in the George Harrison song.
And freedom to discover the infinite and beautiful hidden in the most surprising places, and people. Freedom to risk and fail, to learn and grow.
The first step onto the narrow way is noticing my personal preferences. Just noticing them without judgement. And then, as I feel able, turn towards rather then away from what is right in front of me, even when turning away is my first instinct. Look, listen, pay attention. See it as if for the first time. Let myself become curious about and humble before the great mystery hidden in everything and everyone.
The Way is always opening up before me in the ordinary circumstances of life, which is why it is essential that I continue to develop the skill of attention.
Thomas Merton pictured it thusly: "We are living in a world that is absolutely transparent and God is shining through it all the time. God manifests Himself everywhere, in everything - in people and in things and in nature and in events . . . The only thing is we don't see it. . . . I have no program for this seeing. It is only given. But the gate of heaven is everywhere."
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