Ebb & Flow.
The Shining Word “And”
“And” teaches us to say yes
“And” allows us to be both-and
“And” keeps us from either-or
“And” teaches us to be patient and long suffering
“And” is willing to wait for insight and integration
“And” keeps us from dualistic thinking
“And” does not divide the field of the moment
“And” helps us to live in the always imperfect now
“And” keeps us inclusive and compassionate toward everything
“And” insists that our action is also contemplative
“And” heals our racism, sexism, heterosexism, and classism
“And” allows us to critique both sides of things
“And” allows us to enjoy both sides of things
“And” is far beyond any one nation or political party
“And” helps us face and accept our own shadow side
“And” allows us to ask for forgiveness and to apologize
“And” is the mystery of the paradox in all things
“And” is the way of mercy
“And” makes daily, practical love possible
“And” does not trust love if it is not also justice
“And” does not trust justice if it is not also love
“And” is far beyond my religion versus your religion
“And” allows us to be both distinct and yet united
“And” is the very Mystery of Trinity
~ Richard Rohr
It’s extremely helpful to locate ourselves, not only within our own life drama, but within the larger sweep of time, season, and earth rhythm. We stand today on a shifting point between expansion and contraction, between an emphasis upon outer engagement and upon inner engagement. Can you feel the shift?
Our “Incarnatio” series over the last month was an energetic call to show up in our world in the Light and Life of Christ—to incarnate the spirit of Jesus in our being and our doing. After the reflective season of Advent, that was a shift in energy, one that lined up perfectly with the church season of Epiphany, the revelation or unveiling of Christ in you! That’s the “flow.”
This week we also celebrated the Celtic festival of Imbolc that marks the half-way point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox—a deeply embodied connection with the slowly awakening ground underneath all the snow and ice. In a week and a half, we will recede back into the reflective movement of Lent, starting with Ash Wednesday on February 18 and lasting until April 2 on the cusp of Good Friday. That’s the “ebb.”
Ebb and flow is the pattern of all life in this world, symbolized in the repetition of waves crashing on the beach, pulling back, and then crashing again. It is etched in the waxing and waning of the moon each month. Embedded in the earth’s daily pivot on its axis and its annual circuit around the sun. We are always moving toward or away—and we fundamentally require both. Jesus too mirrored this rhythm in his movement towards people and then away. Engagement to love, teach, and heal… followed by withdrawal to refresh, reconnect, and refocus. Again, can you feel this movement within your own soul and body?
This is the beauty of recurring liturgies and recurring seasons! They help us get out of our heads in relationship with God and into our bodies. Into heartbeat and breath and pulse and synapse. Richard Rohr says, We don’t think our way into new ways of living; we live our way into new ways of thinking. What is the message of your body center right now? Can you sense it? Can you “know” it in muscle, bone, and tissue?
In next week’s post, we will start a seven-week “inhale” where I will explore the theme of Shedding… before we “exhale” once again into resurrection and pentecost.
growing your soul
Pause for a moment and connect with the ebb and flow of your own breath. “Every conscious breath is a meditation,” said Eckhart Tolle. Notice the sensations in your body as you become aware of this subtle rhythm that sustains you day by day.
serving our world
How does this personal ebb and flow affect your movements into the world and out of it? Toward the out-flow of service… and then toward the in-flow of re-creation?
takeaway
Notice your currents.