FORMATION BEFORE TRANSFORMATION?

Formation before Transformation ?

Reflections on 2^nd Half of Life Spiritual Journey

Part 1 - Setting the Scene

There seems to be a ‘fashion’ for the recurring theme of ‘Transformation’. This has recently become more noticeable in many of the ‘ologies’ of academia. i.e. psychology, sociology, theology etc. The inference , and emphasis, can often seem to be that focusing on formation is not necessary and that there is a magic ‘trick’ or ‘pill’ that we can take to become transformed. Moreover, that there is something that can happen to cause a ‘quantum leap’ or a new paradigm. Now doubtlessly, these are possibilities but quantum leaps and new paradigms are relatively rare. Nonetheless, ‘transformation’ is the new buzzword and the new Nirvana. This emphasis can create difficulties for many. It hooks into the modern day urge for a quick fix or instantaneous results and instant gratification. In addition, deep and transforming change may best be both negotiated and maintained if based on some firm foundations and formation.

In Christianity, my own Faith Tradition, this growing surge towards transformation is becoming more and more prevalent. These reflections are written in the Christian Season of Lent, which is based on the experience of Jesus (the Christ) and his 40 days in the wilderness before beginning his Ministry. Traditionally, and arguably the majority opinion, most Christians consider Lent to be a time for ‘giving up things’. This can be a great error and is based on a very negative view of the Mystery, we call God, and fails to emphasise that the true purpose of our life is to grow in awareness of our unity with the Indwelling Presence of the Mystery. The word Lent comes from the word Lengthening and is a season based on the life of Jesus the Christ and his ‘wilderness experience’. What occurred for Jesus ( who for Christians is the Christ) was a period of aloneness which led to a ‘lengthening’ or ‘stretching’ of his awareness of his real self and his real purpose and union with the Mystery he referred to as ‘Abba’ ( Father).

So perhaps Lent is a time for us all to be ‘stretched and particularly in relation to our understanding of our essential self and our spiritual awareness and practice. Incidentally, it could be helpful for Christians to both remember and reflect on the traditional Christian belief Jesus was, and is , the Christ the Anointed One. This ‘Christ’ is the Cosmic Christ who existed before time began. In addition , Christians perhaps could benefit by reminding themselves that Christ is not a surname for Jesus.

As previously outlined, Lent is a Season for stretching us at all levels of our holistic being. It can play its part in our journey towards spiritual maturity. This is a journey that requires us to grow in awareness of self and our unity with the Mystery and as we grow we and thus become transformed. The reality is that for the majority of us transformation is a slow, gradual and growing awareness of self, be that at the psychological and/or spiritual levels. This short Blog aims to tease out some reflections and proposes that before we can be ‘transformed’ we might best aim our sights and reflections on our formation.

There are many areas that both modern psychology and spirituality can find agreement. It is a generally accepted agreement in psychology, that we are more than our simple view of ourselves. Our psyche possesses depth and breath and very often our perceived view of the self is distorted and, to some degree, false. The latter can be caused by the circumstances of upbringing, culture , environment etc. In Humanistic Psychology this is often referred to as the ‘Self Concept’ and our task is to find the Core or Real Self. In short, the task we face is to grow in awareness of the Real Self and to recognise the inherent distortions and falsities of the Self Concept. In other branches of Psychology and in Indian Spiritual Traditions, this is often referred to as the search for and breaking down of the False Ego.

So our lifelong journey is a growth is awareness that moves us from the Ego towards our ability to transcend the Ego and thus realise both our inter-dependency with others and the Cosmos and the non-duality of creation. This is not an easy task. However, it is an essential part of genuine growth. Although the task can seem daunting, thankfully we have access to the guidance and teachings of the Mystics of all Traditions. These emphasise our need to be open to the Mystery of Creation and to the ambivalence of the Spirit. In other words, there are very often no definitive answers to the most important and crucial questions and we need to develop the gift of ‘not knowing’. Many people refer to this as Faith.

An error we can make is to both think and believe that there can be a sudden flash of light that reveals all!. Perhaps, for Christians, this may be based on St Paul and his story. However, if we examine this from the viewpoint of two great traditions, Christianity and Buddhism, we can begin to see a possible flaw in our thinking. Both are based on a ‘mystical’ experience that leads to enlightenment or a totally different way of seeing.

St Paul, arguably the founding theologian of Christianity, is certainly one of the major sources of the Christian New Testament. His account of his ‘conversion’ is often quoted by Christians, and particularly Fundamental Christians, as the exemplar for all transformation. We have a story of a man bitterly opposed to the teachings of Jesus and his ( for Paul) heretical followers, an incident of blinding light and revelation , transformation and then the most ardent follower and proponent of the Way and of Jesus the Christ. So Paul’s conversion is held up as a miraculous and exemplary vision of transformation. It is so often referred to as ‘ the road to Damascus transformation’.

Now this is not only simplistic but can mistakenly put pressure on many to become instantly transformed and be ‘born again’ The reality and context of Paul’s transformation is often missed. Paul first had a solid ‘formation’. He was a pupil of a renowned Jewish Rabbi. He was steeped in the Law and the Prophets – the Jewish Scriptures. In short, Paul had a firm foundation and formation in his culture, tradition and spirituality. What occurred on the road to Damascus was certainly extraordinary. It was almost certainly a mystical experience and one which he tried to convey in his writings. He refers to ‘ a blinding light’. In Eastern terms Paul achieved enlightenment. This leads us on to the Buddha’s experience.  

Gautama , called the Buddha , was born in a country steeped in and blessed with a rich spiritual tradition. He too was well grounded and formed and was doubtlessly well acquainted with the spiritual riches of his time. However, having tried both ends of the spectrum – sheer wealth and luxury and poverty and deprivation, he sat under a Boddhi Tree and achieved enlightenment. Whatever happened is unsure. However, it led to a great change in him and to his many years of teaching about the Four Noble Truths , in which he too spoke about enlightenment.

Both examples speak of a deep and growing awareness or enlightenment that led to remarkable ability to both discern the Real from the Unreal ( in modern terms the False Ego from the Real Self), to avoid being Dualistic and  to grow in wisdom, discernment and love.

This opening set of reflections has focused on the potential pitfalls of ‘instant  transformation’ and suggest that  a failure to build on a firm foundation can lead to either a disaster or at best a quick falling away ( See the Parable of the Sower – in the teachings of Jesus the Christ.

Part 2 of these reflections will begin to explore our transformation as part of our spiritual journey into Self- Discovery.

To be continued ( click link below for Part 2 )

http://midlands-satsang.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/transformation-journey-of-self-discovery.html