It was around the Winter Solstice that I last wrote in this blog. And now the Summer Solstice has arrived, and I continue to enjoy the light from the longest day. I am back from my second-to-last DMin Course, with my head so full of information that it will take months to integrate. The time between the longest night and longest day has been rich and full, but not without challenges. Some challenges are the normal stuff of life; others packed a punch that was not appreciated. I guess that, too, is the stuff of life.
This is not the easy planet. Or the fair planet.
I came through winter and into spring looking for some personal and vocational guidance. I found both in Parker J. Palmer's book Let Your Life Speak. He offers a simple yet brilliant observation: "Before you tell your life what you intend to do with it, listen for what it intends to do with you. Before you tell your life what truths and values you have decided to live up to, let your life tell you what truths you embody, what values you represent." As we look deeply into the story of our life and observe these facets of our true self, we can follow them into our present and its open questions - noticing when "way opens" and when "way closes," (to use phrases from the Quaker tradition). Accepting that we can learn as much (and sometimes more) from "way closing" as from "way opening" brings wisdom. Quieting down so we can listen to what is deep within us - and letting that guide us - in some ways parallels Maggie Ross's "work of silence" (from a brilliant but incredibly dense text called Silence: A User's Guide that was used in this most recent course).
And that brings me to the three best words/phrases used last week in class:
Liminality (Maggie Ross): Living in that threshold space that includes attentive receptivity, beholding, paradox, insight, and an openness to the unfolding truth found in the infinite (through whatever name we call the infinite). Liminal space is creative - and transformative.
Tensegrity (Buckminster Fuller via Mary Hess): An architectural term that is a portmanteau of tension plus integrity, applied also in understanding organizational structure and pastoral ministry (Mary Hess). In this application, tensegrity refers to opposing forces causing stability through dynamic interaction. Hmmm...
And my favorite:
Capex Dei - (St. Augustine via Maggie Ross): The capacity for receiving God - a quality that is well worth increasing/enlarging in individuals and communities.
The news I heard at Seminary regarding mainline Protestant churches (and their seminaries) was not encouraging - it is indeed a time of significant challenge that calls for re-visioning what it means to be the church. Some say that the church we knew in the 1950's (and today) will all but be extinct within a generation. Add to that the horrific events in places like Orlando and Fallujah, and the slow-motion train wreck that describes much of what is happening on the political scene, and one wonders where we can look for hope.
That is where, for me, these three words/phrases have their power. If we intentionally seek out that liminal space and live into the paradoxes, insights and unfolding truth that is found there...and if we lean into that which appears oppositional, and learn from it and embrace the challenges/shadow side that is present in life...and if we intentionally increase our capacity for receiving God (and God's wisdom, compassion, mercy, justice and Love), I believe we will have the hope-filled components to face the current/future challenges, and bring our very best to whatever life offers. Liminality - Tensegrity - Capex Dei.
Kathleen Norris, in her beautiful and challenging book "Cloister Walk," reminds us of the observation made by Gregory of Nyssa long ago: "Moses entered the darkness, and then saw God in it." Despite the sunlight of this longest day, there is much darkness in our world. May we enter into it, looking to see the God who never turns away from the pain and trauma of life. And may we know that what we bring - our true selves (both shadow and light) - is enough. No one said this better than Martin Buber, in his story about Rabbi Zusya. "Shortly before his death, the Rabbi said: "In the world to come I shall not be asked: "Why were you not Moses?' I shall be asked: "Why were you not Zusya?"
Be - Enter - Open - Know - Embrace - Transform - Share - Be!
Solstice blessings,
Kim
