6. The price of inaction is far greater than the cost of making a mistake.

Saturday, October 6, 2018
11:33 AM

“The price of inaction is far greater than the cost of making a mistake.” Meister Eckhart

Over the course of my life I have come to believe and often say, from a vantage point of some cynicism, is that the most consequential decisions we make are ones we make by not deciding. I can recall many times when I pondered a course of action but then ultimately did nothing and the thus let the course of my life continue with alteration. Such ponderings left unresolved have had both positive and negative repercussions. For example, the decision to leave the business world and move toward academia that I left unmade causes me to wince sometimes, usually when my ego wants to punch myself in the nose for paths not traveled.

Looking back from the perspective of age, I see that my inaction was usually the result of poorly completed discernment. To get to the point, I engaged in some pretty surprising practical atheism by doing all of the pondering based upon my own thoughts and desires without involving God. How could what I try to do alone work out? I think my successes have been accidental - I simply lucked into making a plan that was consistent with what God wanted for me. I ended up a great wife and family. I have a good quality of life. I have material resources far greater than what my needs should ever require. Luck, of course, is nothing more than mercy delivered by grace. There is also the perspective God caused me to provide for my family because of the faith of my wife and her love of our sons. She was blessed by what I could provide in a material fashion. As for the spiritual and emotional support they also needed? Well, that is a different matter.

That is the past but Meister instructs us to consider the present, the now of life. What inaction no will be more costly than a mistake? I think back to an earlier day. What would I do if I was most secure? My musing that day would be to somehow define myself to the world. A grand posting on Facebook is what I was considering but did not take happen. Was it the example of not taking an action or was it a good decision that really was an appropriate action to not venture forth? I don't yet have an answer to the question but what if I what believe and celebrate is not already self evident by how I live, what value is there is in a making a declaration? Who we are is far more powerful than what we say.

I again find it curious such an ancient premise is so relevant today. Of course, we tend to think of it from a business or military perspective. Doing something even if it is wrong is better regarded than doing nothing. From a spiritual and religious perspective, the application is far less discernible. It seems that when charting a course of action, doing something will always have value whereas doing nothing always has a cost so the mistake is choosing to do nothing.

Again, I will have to consider today's topic further.

5. There is no yesterday nor any tomorrow, but only Now.

Friday, October 5, 2018
9:10 AM

“The now wherein God made the world is as near this time as the now I am speaking in this moment, and the last day is as near this now as was yesterday.” ~ Meister Eckhart

“There exists only the present instant… a Now which always and without end is itself new. There is no yesterday nor any tomorrow, but only Now, as it was a thousand years ago and as it will be a thousand years hence.” ~ Meister Eckhart

Now that I am 5 days into this project, it strikes me that Eckhart's observations, made over 800 years ago, are so relevant now and how commonly we encounter his teachings. This statement is particularly pertinent because I get easily caught up in what happened yesterday or worry about what might happen tomorrow. Both the past and the future are beyond the scope of my being. They only exist for God because God is not limited by our concept of time.

As a historian by training, intellect and preference, the past is critically important. Understanding the past gives us tools to understand the present so we might adapt and maximize the effectiveness of our course of action but tools are just tools. They, the tools, lack the cognitive power needed to make the moment count. The future is also important because failure to anticipate consequences of actions taken now can adversely impact the future. We ignore either or both at our peril.

What is important, however is to truly understand there is only the present instant. In this instant I can take the time to reflect on where I am, who I am with, how I am spending the moment. In this very instant I can contemplate, meditate, watch the cat play with a toy, speak to my wife or simply look at the window into the little piece of the world I inhabit. Today, gentle rain is falling in a spattering drizzle, the leaves of the trees have erupted in shimmering explosion of gold and yellow that gray skies cannot not diminish. It is a good moment to pause and appreciate creation and give thanks to the creator.

Now is when I can chose to the best right action. I can give praise and celebrate the blessings and mercy of God or I can turn away and dwell on the pain I am experiencing. I can ask for forgiveness for where I have fallen short and then breathe out the prayer of gratitude for the gift of God's mercy and tenderness.

Carpe Diem is a great platitude but to seize the moment, not the day, is what Eckhart teaches. The lesson is important, it is what I have searching for so far. It lines up with spirituality of the Benedict - give this moment its due with moderation and in praise.

Back to view out the window. God is awesome for giving us a beautiful world and the ability to appreciate the beauty.

4. “The soul does not grow by addition but by subtraction.”

The soul does not grow by addition but by subtraction.” ~ Meister Eckhart

This one is a puzzler because it seems to be counter intuitive. How can something grow by becoming less? The answer lies in understanding the significance of letting go. The more we hang onto non-spiritual, worldly matters, the less capacity we have for holiness. We must winnow out the non-essential so there is growing room for spirituality to be nourished and take root.

When I take stock of everything I think about everyday, I am astounded. The roar of daily living is truly stunning. From the first waking moment, I listening to the weather, thinking about all of the events planned for the day, thinking about what happened the day before. I read books and other material and have hobbies I enjoy that draw my attention and energy. I find it difficult to carve out 10 minutes a couple times a day to pray the hours.

Even in a good day, I devote only a couple of hours toward my relationship with God and even that is tacking down the corners of a much larger construct. If it is true, I must let go of more and more to subtract more and more of the distractions, and I believe it is, how do I go about it?

I think about the monks of Mount Angel. They have a consecrated life but even they have to contend with the work needed for the Abbey to function. Other than being a hermit or recluse, there is no feasible way to reach the goal set by Eckhart. Given the full life he lived himself, I question how much time he spent letting go. No doubt he was extremely adept at minimizing life but he also had choices to make.

If I consider 8 hours go to work and 8 hours go toward sleep, there are 8 hours a day for everything else. When I start subtracting necessary time spent preparing food and eating, time just keeps slipping away until weariness overcomes motivation and I give up for the day only to start over again.

There is another aspect to look at - the time spent in what I call holy study. This would include the reading I do about Church history, dogma, theology, social teaching and so on. I am learning more and more about more and more that I sometimes wonder if expanding in all directions at all times, even with the narrow focus of my faith journey is simply being wasted when I really need to focus on a much smaller target. My friend Janeen constantly reminds me I over think just about everything and it is not productive. My wife, would agree with her but after 40 years she learned to approach me from a different way. She doesn't tell when I am overthinking, she usually just says what she believes and I am left to ponder how she could so many different places before me.

The conclusion has to be the more I study Eckhart, the more I will know and perhaps understand about less. My curious, undisciplined mind will lead me off in myriad of directions as will happen to young dog who knows nothing other than to follow where ever his nose leads him regardless of the need for pursuit.

3. Let go and let be

“For the person who has learned to let go and let be, nothing can ever get in the way again.” ~ Meister Eckhart

“He who would be serene and pure needs but one thing, detachment.” ~ Meister Eckhart

“The only thing that burns in hell is the part of you that won’t let go of your life: your memories, your attachments. They burn them all away, but they’re not punishing you, they’re freeing your soul. If you’re frightened of dying and you’re holding on, you’ll see devils tearing your life away. If you’ve made your peace, then the devils are really angels freeing you from the earth.” ~ Meister Eckhart

"Let go and let God" means the same thing as to "let go and let be". It sounds so simple and so easy. Simple yes. Easy no. Oh, heck no. Letting go means just that - to let go. There is more to consider. Way more.

 First, what does letting go entail? It means giving up control. Actually it means giving up the illusion of control. Really, the only I can control is the temperature of my coffee before I sip it. We are expected to control our reactions to events and circumstances but that is actually a big deal when we have spent a lifetime doing the opposite. As it is said, we are not responsible for our first thought be we are responsible for our second thought and first action. That does not mean we can control anything beyond that first action.

 We can look at this from a couple of different perspectives. The inclination to not let go is really an act of practical atheism to not rely on God no matter what we say we believe. It goes like this, "That's ok, God, I have got this one. I don't need any help for this." That is what I say just before the wreck. To truly let go is to invite God into my daily life and to move toward aligning my plans with his plans for me as he would have us all do. I can sometimes tell when I am actually doing his will when focus on most benefits from my actions, myself or others.

There is a second perspective that is more in line with Eckhart's teachings. His focus is on what clutters and complicates our lives and prevents us from being in communion with God. The more we focus on human things which matter little the less we can focus on the issues of greater, perhaps, even ultimate concern. We busy ourselves about as Quoheleth points out in Ecclesiastes but we do so at our folly. Detachment from earthly things is how we grow closer to God. Time and time again Eckhart makes the point we should become less and less so that God and our relationship with him will become more and more present in our lives.

2. Do exactly what you would do if you felt most secure.
Tuesday, October 2, 2018
Do exactly what you would do if you felt most secure.” ~ Meister Eckhart
What rushes into my mind is I would not, even if was just for a day, soft pedal or minimize my true feelings about key issues of faith. I would clearly state, loudly and without reservation, that I believe in the dignity of all human life, born or unborn, from conception to natural death. This is so critical I will never vote for any candidate for any office who does not support that teaching. There is no room for being complicit in the ending of any human life and that includes the death penalty.

I believe our society needs to focus on human dignity so that issues of life are never decided because of economic or financial pressures either before or after birth. I also believe that those who are sick, disabled or simply aged be provided with adequate housing and care so that financial pressures never play a part in end of life discussions. We must lead with compassion and follow up with passion for living out the gospel.

I would also state clearly and definitively that I believe in the Gospel of the Risen Lord and in a transcendent and triune God who is all powerful and the very definition of love. I would proclaim this to the world in the most powerful and attractive message I can muster given my human frailties.

I believe in life after death and forgiveness of sins no matter how heavy or grievous. I know that I am loved without limit or reservation as is every human who has ever lived or will ever live.

I would also to communicate it is not my privilege or responsibility to judge anyone other than myself for any reason and I hope I have not intentionally or intentionally done so but if I have, I humbly ask for forgiveness and for an opportunity to make amends.

I believe it is a scandal there is deep division in the Christian Church and I pray we will see a day when what separates us fades away and we can focus on what we hold in common to better bind us together as unified body of Christ.

I believe that my church, our church, the Roman Catholic Church has allowed itself to be battered and bruised by sin compounded by the sin of a cover-up on a systemic basis that leaves me sickened, saddened and enraged. How can we claim to be a source of moral teaching with the stains of abuse darkening our message? We must reclaim what has been lost and it is not just up to the Bishops. It is up to us the laity to make the changes. There can be no more dark secrets without any kind of transparent investigation and management. 

We need to throw open the doors and windows and let us into our church and let us help bring about the change that will be based upon a fundamental focus on the gospel of evangelization and conversion. When civil war tore our country apart, we fought to restore unity. When civilization was nearly destroyed by the evils at work in WW2, we fought back and saved our way of live. Our church is worth fighting for as well. Where else can we find the sacraments that are essential to our Christian souls?

Now comes the need for reflection. Why don’t I feel secure enough to speak as I have proposed here? What stops me? Is the fear of offending others? Perhaps but I have to wonder if what I would publish be would be a surprise since I make a genuine effort to live as I believe?

This is not a question I have a ready answer for at the moment. I can’t decide if it is fear or discretion that holds me back. More prayer is needed for sure but I can’t help but hear the words of my friend and devout Christian, Richard Yetter who states with conviction that if it comes to a choice between offending a person or offending God, the decision is simple. I definitely need more prayer and meditation and I hope that going through the daily reflections will bring some clarity

1. Be willing to be a beginner every single morning.

Monday, October 1, 2018
6:21 PM

“Be willing to be a beginner every single morning.” ~ Meister Eckhart

How can this be his recommendation? He obviously does not know I have spent years studying scripture, theology, engaging in Lectio Divina and scriptural reflection. What is the point of this journey if you never get anywhere? Aren't we supposed to progress each and every day through thought, study, prayer and application? I have a reputation I want to enjoy. How can I when I am supposed to be willing to be a beginner every morning?

Eckhart gets right to the heart of the problem. I want to be more but he teaches the importance of being less. My ego is wounded by being called a beginner. I have worked too hard too start over again once much less everyday.

As I reflect further I understand I am only being asked to be a beginner and not to start over. What it really means is to be willing begin again every day, to be open whatever new experiences, insight or events might come my way that day.

Since I am an alcoholic, I know the importance of taking each day one at time. That is all we really have - only today. I can decide today to not drink but I can't decide it for every coming day in advance. Like Joshua, I can only chose to serve the Lord today. It is a decision to be made everyday. And I do. Some days I am a better servant than others but that is good part of the promise. Tomorrow I can do better.

It is principle of Benedictine spirituality that each day we begin again. It does not mean we go back. It just means we start again from where we are that day and to go from there. To begin again is to make ourselves open to see what God has created or what he has in mind for me.

It means that I can be suddenly reminded of the intense flush of color of the clumps of berries on the Mountain Ash in our yard. I can learn something new from someone in my life whom I value. I can offer something new of myself to others as well. Today I can see the brightening color of the leaves in our trees that was observable

Also, I can learn something new about the wordl that I would have overlooked if I had not been willing to begin again.

October 4 - Addendum.

There is another reason I had previously understood about the need to be willing to start with the beginning. Sometimes I encounter a newcomer in AA or some other place and to invite the beginner requires the ability to begin again with the beginning. This is true for many pursuits. Music, martial arts, sports and so on. There must always be a starting point and there must always be someone willing to meet a new person from the beginning. This is also true for sharing faith. All common journeys must being from a common starting point or shared life experiences which bind us together can never develop.

Meister Eckhart
Poet and Mystic

 

Some months ago I begin to toy with a study of 13th-14th century poet, mystic and theologian Meister Eckhart who was a priest and professor in the emerging country of Germany. I was first drawn to him because of the stated influence he had on the spiritual figure who had great influence on me, John O'Donohue. He is an enigma. At times his poetry is easy to grasp but other times his text can be dry to read and difficult to interpret. His principle themes, however are consistently recognizable. 

First, he urges us to simply our focus, attention and energy on our relationship with God. Everything that distracts from that objective is to be winnowed out and swept away like chaff. After a several month pause, I took up the challenge again and quickly identified a 31 item list of sayings from Eckhart that might be considered a basic primer of the great mystic's teachings. I decided to create a 31 one day reflection of the list with one saying to be unpacked each day. October is a 31 day month so the mission of 31 days with Eckhart was launch. 

Clearly it will be a test of discipline and will since October was already going to be a very busy month. Let's begin......