My first explicit and intense encounter with the divine was at University when, after reading "The Screwtape Letters" I had a sudden realization of the utter futility of living entirely for self. Internally I reached out and unexpectedly was met by a presence which is difficult to describe in words - visually everything seemed a nimbus of gold/yellow. Audibly, I could hear angelic singing in languages I could not understand. I joined in with them.

The next day I bought a Bible and arranged to see a priest: it seemed the right thing to do, although it was quite alien to me. The priest accepted my experience as valid, although he was clearly uncomfortable with some of its aspects, especially the "languages," because of their association with the charismatic branch of the church.

I settled into mainstream church life (I am Catholic). I set to examining and exploring the treasure house of religious tradition. All these things were once someone's treasured illumination - something that brought them closer to God.

Take the Sacred Heart for instance. I understand it came about because a nun, who had a deep and abiding sense of Christ's love, suddenly realized the mainstream of catholic religion had become dry, harsh and legalistic. Many were inspired by this to a fresh new spirituality. Yet, with time it was duly codified, defined, and dehydrated like a pressed flower in which someone once recognized the living glow of divine love. The Sacred Heart is just one example of the way religion takes genuine spirituality and freeze dries it.

Enough explanation. When I pray/meditate now, I may use hymns, songs, music, natural sounds, candles, incense, open prayer, formula prayers of all descriptions, even Tai Chi movements, whatever seems apt at the moment. But three elements are common.

1. I may open my eyes to the richness of nature or the human imagination;

2. Most importantly I let God be God by acknowledge that I do not understand the divine nature and do not seek to define God. "Be still and know that I am God;"

3. I abandon myself mentally to the presence of God, as I am and without reservation. All I can offer is myself, however imperfect. In doing this I am not asking forgiveness in the traditional sense - God knows exactly who I am. The only thing that can help me progress is the awareness of the presence of God, and this, I have found, God invariably gives me.

Richard
Please respond to john@beyondreligion.com

Posted 1-15-2005