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There were two aged men who lived together for many years. They never had a quarrel. One said to the other, “Let us pick a quarrel with each other like other men do." "I do not know how quarrels arise," replied his companion. The first man spoke to him, "Look, I will put a brick down here between us, and I will say 'This is mine.' Then you can say 'No it is not, it is mine.' Then we will be able to have a quarrel." With the brick between them, the first man claimed, "This is mine." His companion replied, “No, this is mine." Then, the first man said, “Okay, if the brick is yours, take it and go your way." So, they were not able to have a quarrel.
This simple story comes from the early Desert Fathers and Mothers. The story exemplifies for us the teaching on the disposition of the heart. Christian contemplatives teach that all our action arises from the heart. The heart, in spiritual formation, is the center, the wellspring of all our thoughts and acts. The two men could not have a quarrel, for no quarrel was in their hearts. They had lived so close to God, that peace filled their heart, with respect and love, too.
The wise writer of Proverbs 4.23 speaks of the heart as the core from which all thought and action flows.
Keep your heart with all vigilance,
for from it flow the springs of life. (ESV)
Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do. (NLT)
Therefore, in spiritual formation we seek the transformation of the heart. And, in that process we are vigilant about guarding the heart. Choosing what we let into our being is of vital importance, for each is as a seed that is part of a formation that will issue in words or actions.
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Egotism, or willfulness, what Christian contemplatives call the False Self, which entails any thought or behavior that is not Christlike, cannot be overcome by willfulness. Surrender, which arises from the True Self, opens to transformation through Grace. Egotism can be transformed through Means of Grace, for surrender engages a willingness to engage disciplines for transformation. Our prayer and practice of other spiritual disciplines is one means we are vigilant in guarding the precious center, the wellspring of life.
Prayer Exercise
Sit. Close your eyes. Breathe naturally, in and out of the nostrils. Open your hands, as a sign of receptivity, as they rest on your legs. Smile. With glad gratitude to God, pray the following prayer of St. Francis. Do this, in harmony with the breath, for a couple of minutes. In concluding this brief time of meditation, say “Thank you” three times.
My God and My All!
-Meditation Prayer of St. Francis
OneLife Ministries is a pastoral outreach and nurture ministry of the First United Methodist Church, Fort Meade, FL. For Spiritual Direction, Pastoral Counseling, spirtual formation workshops, Christian meditation retreats, or more information about OneLife, call Rev. Dr. Brian K. Wilcox at 863-285-9059 or send a mail to briankwilcox@comcast.net .
Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors
The People of the
United Methodist Church
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