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A farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried for hours while the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally, he decided the animal was old, the well needed to be covered anyway, and that it was not worth saving the donkey. So, he invited his neighbors over to help him. They each grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. Initially, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone's surprise, he quieted down. After a while, the farmer looked down the well and was astonished at what he saw. With every shovel of dirt that hit the donkey’s back, he would shake it off and take a step up. Soon, everyone was amazed when the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and trotted off!
When you sit in prayerful meditation, all kinds of energy arise. But, basically, all energy is made of the same basic stuff. Energy is energy. The very energy that is problematic, therefore, can be transformed into help.
In meditation we learn an important lesson about life. As in meditation, life will be filled with all types of energy. How we relate with energy is key. The same energy that debilitates one person is used for good by another person.
Notice how persons respond differently to life experience, which is all about energy. One family has a loved one murdered and will not be content until the culprit is fried in an electric chair. Another family experiences a like loss and works toward forgiveness of the culprit. One person goes through divorce and learns to trust again. Another person goes through divorce and remains bitter, refusing to trust again. One person has health difficulties and only wants pity; another person has health difficulties and becomes a more caring, compassionate person. One person sues another person for a minor offense; another person does not for the same offense.
Like the donkey, we can use the energy that would bury us as a means of progress on the spiritual Path. The donkey used the very dirt heaped upon it for its freedom. That same dirt could have meant its burial. What will you do with the energies you face daily? What you do with the energies decides whether you enjoy life and grow in compassion or not.
Suggestion for Reflection
Identity a fear that you have. How might you turn that fear into progress on the spiritual Path?
OneLife Ministries is a pastoral outreach and nurture ministry of the First United Methodist Church, Fort Meade, FL. For Spiritual Direction, Pastoral Counseling, spiritual formation workshops, Christian meditation retreats, or more information about OneLife, write Rev. Dr. Brian K. Wilcox at briankwilcox@comcast.net.
Brian's book of mystical love poetry, An Ache for Union, can be ordered through major bookdealers.
Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors
The People of the
United Methodist Church
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