Greetings, Inspired Seekers:

June – a time of graduations – celebrations of knowledge acquired and ready to be put to use. A serious and joyous rite of passage. But …

Think back to those school days. The seeking, the explorations, the openness. At that time, we were acutely aware. Ready to learn and absorb, ready to see with new eyes. Ready with the beginner's mind, as Zen teaches. And then comes … life.

With life come experiences – joys, sorrows, betrayals, sufferings and triumphs – the many “lessons” learned as we grow in years. And, what happened to that beginner's mind – to holding that clarity of newness and willingness to explore and examine? Most of us became very familiar with one of the most dangerous of phrases: “I know!” Nothing cramps learning more than that.

Our knowledge has value, let us make no mistake, but when it blocks an expansion of knowing, well, you know! The beginner's mind of Zen is in alignment with the Christian teaching and the admonishment to look at life as a child. This wisdom is sprinkled throughout the New Testament at almost every point of disagreement. Why? Because for every A there is a B, for every No there is a Yes – as well as a Maybe.

At times like these, when we are deciding, when we are seeking balance, we are often seeking control rather than the truth; as humans, being vulnerable and actually discerning a new truth leaves us feeling very out of control. Remember when new truths were exciting and expanding, when our discoveries were honest, celebratory moments?

It's very hard to return to those days, to remember and to set aside the “we know” and enter into a world of uncertainty. To be in the world of unknowing is to be in a world that is relational and has many new explorations available. If we are aware, if we pause, if we learn, through grace, to enter the days saying: “hmmm” to life, then regardless of our age, we are ready to graduate to the next level! Congratulations!

Grace and Kindness,
Reverend Deborah

Question of the Month: Where were those moments when you became stuck in knowing?

The Reverend Dr. Deborah Darlington provides seekers with engaging questions to enhance their spiritual journeys. For sacred celebrations and Chaplaincy services, she can be reached at GraceMatters@TheSpaceForGrace.com or at 215 260 1611.