A JOURNEY MARKED BY PARADOX
Reflections from our Satsang Meeting:- Saturday 8th October 2011
After a short Summer Break, we resumed our Satsang Meetings on Saturday 8th October at the Friends Meeting House in Wolverhampton. Now,one of the purposes of our regular Satsang Meetings is to provide us with 'food for the journey' and so ,whenever we meet we listen to or watch a talk with a theme that will provide us with spiritual teaching, challenge and some useful reflections for the Journey. Our meeting on the 8th October was no exception. We watched a talk from + Sister Ishpriya from her DVD . 'The Grass Grows by Itself' . This is a series of talks that form the basis of an 8- day Contemplative Retreat and we watched Day 4. This focused on , among other things, providing , travel advise for the journey from Ishpriya.
Spiritual Journey as a Symbol Our search for spiritual truth is often likened to a journey. This can be a useful symbol as it relates the spiritual life to that of both our physical and psychological journeys.
As with all journeys we need to stay awake and remain present to and mindful of the journey. Otherwise we can come unstuck and , sometimes, have either a physical or psychological accident. Consequently, remaining awake, aware and mindful is one of the central teachings and truths on the Contemplative Spiritual Journey.
Ishpriya used this symbol of the Journey to begin her focus on our need to remain awake if we were to develop and remain present to our 'natural' spiritual gifts.
TRAVEL ADVISE FOR THE JOURNEY
Many motorists will have had a typical experience of travelling along a Motorway and failing to spot the right exit or junction. The result is you travel on , past your destination, heading in the wrong direction and perhaps frantically trying to re-plot your route so as to get back on track. This is an experience I recently had when travelling to an important appointment. I was on the M25, the main circular motorway around the Greater London conurbation. In addition, the M25 is the busiest motorway in Britain. Because of my momentary failure to pay careful attention to the road signs, I found myself in the wrong lane of the motorway and , too late, realised this as I sped past the Junction for the M23. .As this was the first time I had taken this route and, with growing 'gridlock' on this busy road, it took me several hours to recover from this simple error.
Ishpriya used this idea of failing to pay attention to the road signs as a metaphor for the need to pay careful attention whilst on the spiritual journey. She reminded us that is was easy to find yourself going in the wrong direction and thus be faced with the task of either turning around or re-plotting your route. The former reminded me of a time I once passed a junction on the Autobahn in Austria. As the next junction was over 50 kilometres further on, this failure led to an extra 100 kilometres being added on to my journey. So I am well aware of the pitfalls in failing to both spot and take the right exit when travelling.
The above is an example from modern society but she reminded us of another from the East. The Indian Poet Rabindranath Tagore , a Hindu Mystic and Poet Laureate. She used a quotation from one of his well known poems, The Lotus to make a similar, but more poetic point, about the need for awareness on the Journey.
THE DAY THAT THE LOTUS BLOOMED by+ Rabindranath Tagore
Only now and again a sadness fell upon me,and I started up from my dream and felt a sweet trace of a strange fragrance in the south wind.
That vague sweetness made my heart ache with longing and it seemed to me
Once again, we are presented with the picture of how a failure to stay awake and remain present can result in us missing the moment.This time the symbol being used is the LOTUS. This is a sacred symbol in Eastern Spirituality.The Lotus very often grows out of stagnant pools of water and opens up as the sun warms it. At the height of the sun it opens itself to reveal its full glory and beauty. Unless one remains present to the lotus we can miss seeing its full beauty
Here again we have a powerful and poignant picture of the journey.Yet, this concept of the Journey, can paradoxically be misleading. If one agrees that our Spiritual Journey has a goal that is to find union and consciousness of the Mystery we call God or Ultimate Reality. Then one could reasonably assume that it was somewhat like a physical journey, with a starting point, a route and a destination. Here is where Ishpriya reminded us of the importance of paradox.
Now many of the great Mystics speak of this paradox. Meister Eckhart , a medieval German Monk, writes about it. What is this paradox ? Well, as Ishpriya reminded us , there is no journey to seek the Mystery, the Mystery is within and with us at all time s and our ability to relate with this mystery is natural. She quoted that wonderful spiritual saying :
PARADOX AND RELATIONSHIPS
So, having reminded us of the paradox and that we all naturally possessed the gift of communicating with and relating with the Mystery. However, our environment and life are full of paradox and when faced with these people have commonly found symbols useful in grappling with the truth behind and within the paradox. This is particularly true of Spiritual paradox and how we might 'relate' to this Mystery. Ishpriya reminds us that we have used our experience of relating to help us. Thus , in trying to express our relationship with this Ultimate reality ( God by whatever name) we resort to symbolic relationships and terms such as :
God as LORD, God as MASTER, God as FATHER,
God as MOTHER, God as BROTHER, God as SISTER,
GOD as FRIEND, LOVER or PARTNER etc
More on Relationships
The paradox on the spiritual journey, which is so aptly described by the quote 'I let you find me , so that you might seek me' is really connected with our constant search for relationship and meaning. This search for relationship is inherent and naturally holistic in all human beings. It touches all aspects of our lives. It touches us at the physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual areas of life.
We are born as a result of a physical relationship between our mother and father and from birth we instinctively reach out and seek love and affection, both physically and emotionally. Research has shown that premature babies, who are kept in incubators, prove this point. Those who are both fed and touched by other people, as opposed to those who are fed identical amounts, put on more weight.
Psychology and our lived experience confirms the importance of emotional love. We know from Attachment Theory, that babies who have a 'secure attachment' with a loving adult , normally their mother, grow up and manage to make more effective relationships and to live more securely. Whereas, those babies who have an insecure attachment either form insecure and often over-dependent , relationships or detach from relating and avoid any emotional or physical intimacy. They often form abusive and inappropriate relationships and then pass this model on to their children. So it seems that we all inherently seek relationships and these, if successful can help us in forming a spiritual relationship with the Mystery we often refer to as God.
Thus, earlier in her talk, Ishpriya had indicated some of the human relationships that could assist us in relating to the Mystery. One of her examples was that of a loving parent.. Many of these have in the past proved helpful and for many continue to do so.
However, for a large proportion of our human family, whose experience of relationships , particularly with regard to some of the 'titles for God' above, these symbolic relationships no longer prove helpful. So she gave us two powerful symbols that could help some of us 'solve' or see afresh this paradoxical relationship between us and the Mystery. These were an Apple and a Mirror.
THE LESSON OF THE APPLE AND ITS CORE
The first symbol Ishpriya introduced was an apple. I was surprised and intrigued by this . An apple is a pretty common fruit and one that, like many, I take for granted. Ishpriya talked about the Core and the rest of the apple. She remarked on how the core was the centre of the apple, it was the source from which the apple grew and formed. It was simply the essence of the fruit.Without the core there could be no fruit and without the rest of the apple, it could not be an 'apple'
The core or centre was essential but the fruit would not exist without the outer or remaining part. To put it is 'spiritual' terms, the Core or Centre of Being was the Source of life. The outer part was myself.
 |
| TAKING CARE ! |
As with all journeys we need to stay awake and remain present to and mindful of the journey. Otherwise we can come unstuck and , sometimes, have either a physical or psychological accident. Consequently, remaining awake, aware and mindful is one of the central teachings and truths on the Contemplative Spiritual Journey.
Ishpriya used this symbol of the Journey to begin her focus on our need to remain awake if we were to develop and remain present to our 'natural' spiritual gifts.
TRAVEL ADVISE FOR THE JOURNEY
 |
| Choosing the Right Exit |
Ishpriya used this idea of failing to pay attention to the road signs as a metaphor for the need to pay careful attention whilst on the spiritual journey. She reminded us that is was easy to find yourself going in the wrong direction and thus be faced with the task of either turning around or re-plotting your route. The former reminded me of a time I once passed a junction on the Autobahn in Austria. As the next junction was over 50 kilometres further on, this failure led to an extra 100 kilometres being added on to my journey. So I am well aware of the pitfalls in failing to both spot and take the right exit when travelling.
The above is an example from modern society but she reminded us of another from the East. The Indian Poet Rabindranath Tagore , a Hindu Mystic and Poet Laureate. She used a quotation from one of his well known poems, The Lotus to make a similar, but more poetic point, about the need for awareness on the Journey.
THE DAY THAT THE LOTUS BLOOMED by
 |
| A Lotus in full bloom |
On the day when the lotus bloomed,
alas, my mind was straying, and I knew it not.My basket was empty and the flower remained unheeded.
Only now and again a sadness fell upon me,and I started up from my dream and felt a sweet trace of a strange fragrance in the south wind.
That vague sweetness made my heart ache with longing and it seemed to me
that is was the eager breath of the summer seeking for its completion.
I knew not then that it was so near,
I knew not then that it was so near,
that it was mine, and that this
perfect sweetness had blossomed in the depth of my own heart.
perfect sweetness had blossomed in the depth of my own heart.
Once again, we are presented with the picture of how a failure to stay awake and remain present can result in us missing the moment.This time the symbol being used is the LOTUS. This is a sacred symbol in Eastern Spirituality.The Lotus very often grows out of stagnant pools of water and opens up as the sun warms it. At the height of the sun it opens itself to reveal its full glory and beauty. Unless one remains present to the lotus we can miss seeing its full beauty
Here again we have a powerful and poignant picture of the journey.Yet, this concept of the Journey, can paradoxically be misleading. If one agrees that our Spiritual Journey has a goal that is to find union and consciousness of the Mystery we call God or Ultimate Reality. Then one could reasonably assume that it was somewhat like a physical journey, with a starting point, a route and a destination. Here is where Ishpriya reminded us of the importance of paradox.
Now many of the great Mystics speak of this paradox. Meister Eckhart , a medieval German Monk, writes about it. What is this paradox ? Well, as Ishpriya reminded us , there is no journey to seek the Mystery, the Mystery is within and with us at all time s and our ability to relate with this mystery is natural. She quoted that wonderful spiritual saying :
'I let you find me a , so that you might seek me'
The implications of this quotation is, that if we had never experienced the Mystery deep within our core , we would not continue to seek it. Lady Juliana of Norwich a Medieval English Mystic, puts it in another way when she writes ' Between God and me, there is no between'
So we are reminded by both these sayings that our 'search' for the Mystery is based on the paradox, that what we seek and search for we already have! It reminds me of a game we adults so often play on young children. We hide behind them and as they frantically turn around as we move too. Thus the child seemingly has 'lost' the adult. Onlookers often shout ( as children do at a Punch and Judy show) ' Look behind you' ! The paradox for us is this, we need to remain awake and aware and might benefit from regularly shouting ' Look within you!'
PARADOX AND RELATIONSHIPS
So, having reminded us of the paradox and that we all naturally possessed the gift of communicating with and relating with the Mystery. However, our environment and life are full of paradox and when faced with these people have commonly found symbols useful in grappling with the truth behind and within the paradox. This is particularly true of Spiritual paradox and how we might 'relate' to this Mystery. Ishpriya reminds us that we have used our experience of relating to help us. Thus , in trying to express our relationship with this Ultimate reality ( God by whatever name) we resort to symbolic relationships and terms such as :
God as LORD, God as MASTER, God as FATHER,
God as MOTHER, God as BROTHER, God as SISTER,
GOD as FRIEND, LOVER or PARTNER etc
More on Relationships
The paradox on the spiritual journey, which is so aptly described by the quote 'I let you find me , so that you might seek me' is really connected with our constant search for relationship and meaning. This search for relationship is inherent and naturally holistic in all human beings. It touches all aspects of our lives. It touches us at the physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual areas of life.
We are born as a result of a physical relationship between our mother and father and from birth we instinctively reach out and seek love and affection, both physically and emotionally. Research has shown that premature babies, who are kept in incubators, prove this point. Those who are both fed and touched by other people, as opposed to those who are fed identical amounts, put on more weight.
Psychology and our lived experience confirms the importance of emotional love. We know from Attachment Theory, that babies who have a 'secure attachment' with a loving adult , normally their mother, grow up and manage to make more effective relationships and to live more securely. Whereas, those babies who have an insecure attachment either form insecure and often over-dependent , relationships or detach from relating and avoid any emotional or physical intimacy. They often form abusive and inappropriate relationships and then pass this model on to their children. So it seems that we all inherently seek relationships and these, if successful can help us in forming a spiritual relationship with the Mystery we often refer to as God.
Thus, earlier in her talk, Ishpriya had indicated some of the human relationships that could assist us in relating to the Mystery. One of her examples was that of a loving parent.. Many of these have in the past proved helpful and for many continue to do so.
However, for a large proportion of our human family, whose experience of relationships , particularly with regard to some of the 'titles for God' above, these symbolic relationships no longer prove helpful. So she gave us two powerful symbols that could help some of us 'solve' or see afresh this paradoxical relationship between us and the Mystery. These were an Apple and a Mirror.
THE LESSON OF THE APPLE AND ITS CORE
 |
| The Lesson of the Apple |
The core or centre was essential but the fruit would not exist without the outer or remaining part. To put it is 'spiritual' terms, the Core or Centre of Being was the Source of life. The outer part was myself.
Ishpriya then suggested another , possibly, helpful symbol. This was a mirror. How often do we look in a mirror and yet fail to realise the wonder of its reflection? When you view a mirror you realise that it merely reflects the reality. Whatever is presented to the mirror determines whatever is reflected.
I am struck by this example and on further 'reflection' begin to realise both its value and also the value of the word REFLECTION.
Both the piece of pottery and the mirror exist on their own . It is only when they 'stand' in front of one another that the 'reflection' appears. They are both 'real' but when they stand together the reflection appears.
If I was to change the piece of pottery for myself, I can now see something more of the reality. Without the Mirror, I cannot see my reflection and this reflection gives me another picture or view of myself. Both exist but when I stand in front of the Mirror my 'reflection' helps me to see myself differently. This insight helps me to see the Mystery ( which is the mirror) and myself in relationship and how this helps me to 'reflect' and gain a better view of who I really am.
We all have a natural talent or ability to relate, not only in human terms with ourselves, each other and our environment but also spiritually with the Mystery we call God. However, we sometimes doubt our natural talent.
OUR NATURAL TALENT
 |
| The Naturally Talented Doe |
She was walking along a track with a forest on one side and field with crops on the other side. The Farmers had placed a fence between the forest and the field to stop the Deer eating the crops. Yet, this continued to happen. Ishpriya noticed a Roe Deer in the field and thought that there must be a hole somewhere in the fence.
She slowly and carefully walked towards the Roe Deer, who appeared undisturbed. Then to to her surprise the Roe Deer nonchalantly and easily leaped over the fence and walked off. The deer turned around to face Ishpriya and looked at her as if to say ' It is natural to me !'
For me the message from this story was simply this; we all possess a natural talent of gift for relating. We can readily relate with the Mystery for, as Lady Juliana of Norwich reminds us ' Between God ( the Mystery ) and us, there is no between'
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