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Wisdom Saying
No matter how sophisticated our visions of [spiritual] practice may be, there will always be much that transcends our understanding. It is a wonderful friendliness with mystery, a hospitality to unknowing, that allows us to admit at the outset that we do not and need not know exactly what is going on or what lies ahead. At times it may feel adventurous, like traveling uncharted territory. At other times it may seem risky or even dangerous, groping our way in the darkness. But there is something trustworthy in consecrated unknowing, because guidance does come through it. It is not the kind of guidance that says, "Do this," or, "Go there." It is instead a direction revealing itself moment by moment in simple, conscious being, in our desire, in our care, in God's graceful participation with our yearning. It is usually not even guidance that we can recognize as such at the time. But in our being as honest as possible and in our refreshing our consecration, it happens. There is a saying sometimes heard in Quaker meetings: 'The way opens.'"
*Gerald G. May. The Awakened Heart. 114-115.
Suggested Reflection
1. What does it mean to you to engage a "wonderful friendliness with mystery"? Do you find that easy? Difficult? Explain.
2. What does it mean for you to grow in "hospitality to unknowing"?
3. Do you recall risky times when Sacredness was guiding in ways you were in the moment not aware of?
4. How do you engage the practice of "refreshing [your] consecration"?
5. What are things a church might do to befriend mystery?
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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