I feel a bit like I'm in vocabulary hell. After several weeks of theological terms, I'd really rather just sit and meditate. Don't get me wrong. I am really learning a lot in this class and think Dr. Tom has incredible knowledge to share...I just wonder what I am going to do with this glossary of terms. I do have a better understanding of Unity and how it fits into this theological discussion (very important for ministers), but do I really need to know all of this?
It does seem that the spiritual journey takes people in different directions. A few weeks ago, I heard one of the students ask a similar question in the Integral Spirituality class. She wasn't sure the class was an essential part of her education. For me, Integral and Transpersonal Psychology are a HUGE part of my journey. I wouldn't even be the same person today without having taken Brumet's Trans Psych class over a year ago. And just having a working knowledge of ILP (Integral Life Practice) brings me to an entire new dimension of spiritual and personal growth potentialities. It is the practice that attracts me, not necessarily the theological discussion....although I could probably talk about transpersonal psychology for hours...hummm...
So if your wondering how I feel about the Trinity...the whole mind, idea, expression thing...I don't have a whole bunch to say. I am very glad that the Fillmore's created a metaphysical interpretation of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This helped me understand the Bible in an entirely new way many years ago and for that I will always be grateful. I love that I am expression in action! There is always a creative process going on in the world and in me. That is about as deep as I want to go with the discussion of the Trinity right now. As I mentioned earlier, I'd really rather clear my mind and meditate. I signed up for Brumet's retreat next weekend. I hope to see you there!
Hi Shawn,
ReplyDeleteI understand what you are saying very deeply. It has always been my nature to calm the mind, calm the concepts, and go deep within, even in the midst of great outer activities. I have somehow learned (by the grace of Spirit) to do both simultaneously with some degree of success, although I always feel called to take time to just meditate and be.
There have been very intellectual times in my life where my mind was totally into the concepts and jargon, collecting data at a branch of NASA and Kansas Geological Survey, or composing string quartets and studying music. And then there were other times where I worked for years as a custodian at an elementary school, meditating for hours a day and experiencing the bliss of my true nature.
It seems that both have value, but I deeply feel and understand the need to just be. I think we can be a bit imbalanced toward the head in our culture, but that we are each part of the process of rebalancing this mulit-century long emphasis on head. There is definate value to terminology and analysis, but a good balance of mental play and spiritual emersion and nurturing is needed. Our culture has a ways to go, but I deeply honor your statements, and feel the divine wanting to come forth more and more in you and everyone around me. Stay strong, have courage, and know that you are love and are loved. Thanks for your comments. Blessings and peace.
custodian at an elementary school