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Contents: Wisdom Saying; Scripture; Comments; Suggested Reflection; Spiritual Exercise; Suggested Prayer
Wisdom Saying
Although all of us desire happiness, few of us reach that goal because of the seemingly endless cycle of expectation and disappointment. But this cycle can end. If we give up our attachment and grasping, it is possible to grow spiritually and to find genuine enjoyment. Bees feed on the nectar of flowers; they do not cling to the blossoms.
*Tarthang Tulku, Gesture of Balance
Scripture~Hebrews 13.5-6 (The Message)
5-6Don't be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have. Since God assured us, "I'll never let you down, never walk off and leave you," we can boldly quote,
God is there, ready to help;
I'm fearless no matter what.
Who or what can get to me?
Comments
One agreement between Christianity and Buddhism is the focus on developing the inner life of Spirit and, in this process, to become free~or, at least, freer~of greed. Schools of Buddhism call this "attachment." This is "lust," "greed," or "craving."
Greed is a heavy, negative energy. The Christian contemplative tradition calls it a "passion." Grace-energies, in contrast to the heaviness of craving, are "virtues." Virtues add lightness to the body and mind. Virtues add to spiritual~physical well-being, with capacity to slow down aging. Not so with greed! Greed blocks the flow of always-youthful Spirit~eternal in nature.
However, we disciples of the Cosmic Christ Spirit affirm with the Hebrews writer, "God is there, ready to help..."
God is not some distant and separate Creator Being. God is the immanent Life~Fount within every fiber of our total Self. God is the totality of the Potentiality of virtues.
Remember, greed is only an energy from the Energy~Source and in essence is good energy, godly desire. Craving signifies rightful longing for fullness of life and joy, but a longing turned in on self as source, rather than outward toward God as Source. We suffer much in this in-turning, and the only salvation from it is the out-turning: this is repentance.
All virtue is energy~desire turned toward the Light, like the plant that turns toward the Sun. Craving is the same energy of passion, but passion not trusting supply from the Effulgent Light,the Grace~Christ.
Suggested Reflection
1) Observe any greed in your life. What are you really seeking? What is the virtue that greed would become, if you opened your heart in trust to God as the Source of All~Good?
2) Are all desires for material things wrong? Explain.
3) Can spiritual greed be as heavy to us as material greed? Give an example of spiritual craving.
4) In silent prayer do you sense a physical freeing from the load of craving~attachment? Explain.
5) What implications does growing to be less greedy have for our earth, environment, and relations among nations, peoples, and religions?
Spiritual Exercise
Visualize in meditative prayer, your hand holding any object of greed in your life. If it is a nonmaterial object, visualize it as a material object. See yourself reaching the hand outward toward Jesus Christ, who waits to receive. Surrender the object to Christ, placing it in the palm of His hand. Give thanks to Him for receiving it. Ask Him for freedom from that greed, and pray for the virtue that you want to replace it.
Suggested Prayer
Loving Spirit, I often feel in my body and mind the craving that separates me from the bliss of Your Presence and the peace of trusting You. This greed hinders my service to others in Your Name. Dissolve from my heart craving that I might be free to love and let myself be loved, depending on You for every need in my life. In the Name of Jesus the Christ, Amen.
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Feel free to submit a query. Thanks! Brian K. Wilcox
See next page for Invitation to writer's contemplative village, purpose of OneLife, data on ordering author's book and upcoming devotionals 2008, and material on citations.
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