Outer experiences are really inner experiences. Whatsoever happens on the external level derives its significance and perceptual impact from our inner state. When we are not comfortable within, nothing without can bring comfort.
Teresa of Avila suggests this in “The Interior Castle.” Describing conditions in the Fourth Mansion she writes,
“If we find peace where we live, there is no conflict that can disquiet us.”
One way to come closer to peace is to stop considering one’s outer life as a realm where things go wrong, problems which are resented and resisted. It is actually possible for conflicts and crises to produce the very energy needed for inner growth.
John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus then said,
“He must increase but I must decrease,”
The outer person should lead progressively to the inner one, decreasing while the latter increases. The Christ Self is the germ of the seed which, as it begins to grow consumes the nutrition of the surrounding seed material.
Our “lives” as we know them, our ego selves – are food for the emerging Self within. If we understand this, crisis and catastrophe lose their threatening power and appear as sources of transformational energy for the seedling soul growing toward the light.
This awareness brings peace where we live.
Conflict can not disquiet us when digested into soul food.
Dee,
ReplyDeleteIt makes me think of the sand that causes irritation and friction in the oyster, but results in a priceless pearl.
Friction can be fuel for growth, or fodder for destruction. The friction (and the sand, or whatever triggers said friction), in and of itself, is neutral.
Hope you are well.
Ripened Nutrition, thanks for baring and sharing your soul and precious pearls of wisdom with us. :)
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