|
According to Franciscan mystical theologian St. Bonaventure (1217-1274), contemplation of Nature is first of six steps to Ecstasy (lit., to set outside): mind transcending itself (lit., going out of itself) in Union with the First Principle.
Principle means foundation or beginning, and First Principle is the Creating One, for this One is Formless of forms, Source of sources, Singularity of plurality, and Simple of complexity. This All is the beginning of everything, and everything, therefore, is a mirror of It.
In contemplative fashion, St. Bonaventure speaks of spiritual discernment necessary for awakening to Truth. He uses the concept, common in contemplative theology, of spiritual senses: spiritual hearing, spiritual seeing, ... This, then, is an intent of contemplative praying: to awaken spiritual senses, or potentials of Graced discernment.
Imagine standing on Ocean's shore. The Sun sets in early evening, and passes beyond the horizon, as the earth turns. You witness this Wonder. What do you feel? Imagine, now, that you cannot see, and you stand blind in the sand, while this Glorious Sight occurs. What do you feel? And, should you blame the Sun, that you did not see? For seeing arises from the capacity within oneself. Yet, if you could have some operation to restore the capacity of sight, then, you would see this Marvelous Sight, and you would be awe-struck by the Beauty.
St. Bonaventure, in Franciscan fashion, stresses affect of the heart. Feeling is vital, for it reflects the desire essential for spiritual discernment. Desire leads to the spiritualization of senses; the experience of Spiritual Reality is means of the flow of affect in amazement, praise, and gratitude.
|
|
When I went to a display of impressionist paintings several years ago, in Atlanta, GA, I knew basically nothing about impressionism or the painters of the era. Yet, as I walked through the display, contemplating each painting, I was deeply moved with Beauty and Meaning that I could not theorize about, as one might be able if she were schooled in the history of art or impressionism and its great painters. My heart was deeply touched, and to this day I can feel the joy, after these several years.
Now, what if I had walked out of the display untouched by the art? I could have said something like, "That was a waste of my time? Those are just paintings. I wish I had just stayed home and watched television." Would I have not judged my own incapacity to discern, receive, and appreciate Beauty?
Then, how is it that so many persons live daily within such a great Art Display as Creation, but not in awe and wonder and praise? This is secularism--sibling of scientism and humanism and religionism. We have been habituated to treat ourselves as gods, potentates of glory and power and self-salvation, and other creatures are means to our material ends. We have been trained to give our hearts to materialism--utilization of matter as devoid of sacredness, principles devoid of awareness of the First Principle--, aided by the dogma of perpetual human progress, and we have lost the capacity to spiritually discern the Power, Beauty, Goodness, and Wisdom shining through creatures and leading us back to the Source, the First Principle. The heart has been killed by pride that has stilled the Voice of the Good, True, and Beautiful. And, sadly, this Voice of the Good, True, and Beautiful is, I fear, as stilled in many churches as outside them.
Yes, for many persons, a first step toward contemplation of God, or Union with God, is restoring spiritual senses. Then, we will escape the pervasive boredom persons try to deny through constant stimulation of the natural senses, and our hearts will reconnect with Creation, Song of Wonder.
Continued... |
