Luminous Darkness...

"I came out of seminary in 1970 thinking that my job was to have an answer for every question. What I've learned since then is that not-knowing and often not even needing to know is a deeper way of knowing and a deeper form of compassion. Maybe that is why Jesus praised faith even more than love; maybe that is why Saint John of the Cross called faith "luminous darkness." Richard Rohr

The highlights from his thoughts this week...

The goal of the dark night of the soul is to draw the self beyond ego into full transfiguration and union in God. (Sunday)

The gift of darkness draws you to know God’s presence beyond what thought, imagination, or sensory feeling can comprehend. (Monday)

“The only action left to the soul, ultimately, is to put down its self-importance and cultivate a simple loving attention toward the Beloved.” –Mirabai Starr (Tuesday)

God needs to catch us by surprise because our very limited preexisting notions keep us and our understanding of God small. (Wednesday)

Without the inner discipline of faith (“positive holding instead of projecting”) most lives end in negativity, blaming others, or deep cynicism. (Thursday)

“You called, you shouted, you broke through my deafness, you flared, blazed, and banished my blindness, you lavished your fragrance, and I gasped.” —St. Augustine (Friday)

"The only people who pray well are those who keep praying. In the dark night, when all other practices and beliefs about God lose their meaning, keep returning to silent, contemplative prayer. It will keep you empty and ready for God’s ongoing revelation of an ever deeper love."

Comments

Paul Martin Waters said…
'not-knowing and often not even needing to know is a deeper way of knowing and a deeper form of compassion.' Great way of expressing what many of us have had to learn. Thanks :)
9:11 PM
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