|
In non-dual spirituality we affirm embodied spirituality. This spirituality integrates apophatic (lit. darksome; so, worship without the sensory) and kataphatic (lit. lightsome; so, worship with the sensory).
Divine Dark and Divine Light,
heaven and earth,
God and human,
transcendence and immanence,
unknowing and knowing,
spirit and flesh:
all apparent opposites unified in One.
Therefore, body integrated with
all aspects of the Self.
The importance of the body in worship is exemplified by varied postures, or gestures, in the world faiths. One example is the use of hand positions during prayer or meditation.
In Buddhism and Hinduism, a hand posture is a mudra and has symbolic significance. For example, often the Buddha is seen sitting and with the mudra of a Teacher.
In Christianity postures are, likewise, imbued with significance. One example is kneeling in prayer. Another mudra, or hand posture, is lifting the hands upward to the sky, with the face upward.
These postures have symbolic significance; also, they resonate as part of long-standing tradition. Kneeling in prayer joins you bodily with thousands of years of our spiritual ancestors.
In Jungian terms, we can say that postures and gestures in worship are archetypal, part of the myth and mythos that transcends the individual and present community. These postures have a particularized actualization of energy and, thus, when used rightly, can take on sacramental import. Postures connect one to the consciousness of past and future generations.
In the East one posture of worship is pāda-sevana, “service at the feet.” In the East, often, the feet have been considered a terminal of magical and spiritual energy and grace. Beyond any such ideas, to bow at the feet signifies and actualizes humbleness, surrender, and commitment to the object of adoration.
This adoring, humble surrender is seen in the Gospels:
8The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to find the disciples to give them the angel's message. 9And as they went, Jesus met them. "Greetings!" he said. And they ran to him, held his feet, and worshiped him. (Matthew 28.8-9, NLT)
37A certain immoral woman heard he was there and brought a beautiful jar filled with expensive perfume. 38Then she knelt behind him at his feet, weeping. Her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them off with her hair. Then she kept kissing his feet and putting perfume on them. (Luke 7.37-38, NLT)
10 Then I fell at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, "Don't do that! I am a fellow slave with you and your brothers who have the testimony about Jesus. Worship God, …” (Revelation 19.10, HCSB)
An Exercise on Worship at the Feet
Now, I kneel
I bow
I place my hands, palms up, side by side, upon the floor
This is Sacred Ground for me
My body a consecrated sacrifice to God, My Love
I place my forehead into the open hands
I rest here, silently,
In adoration
In surrender
In humbleness
Speechless
In Love, I am
Staying here
Prostrated, I begin
To feel the meaning of this bowing in deepening Affection
I sense a connection to my ancestors who bowed in this way
I anticipate all who will come after me and bow in this way
I remain here, for a while, forgetting all else but my Love
I let this prostrated body say all that needs to be said, for now
* * *
*Charitable contributions would be appreciated to assist Brian in continuing his ministry. For contributions, contact Brian at barukhattah@embarqmail.com .
*Brian's book of spiritual love poetry, An Ache for Union: Oneness with God through Love, can be ordered through major booksellers or the Cokesbury on-line store, cokesbury.com .
*Brian K. Wilcox, a United Methodist Pastor, lives in Southwest Florida. He is a vowed member of Greenbough House of Prayer, a contemplative Christian community in South Georgia. He lives a contemplative life and seeks to inspire others to enjoy a more intimate relationship with Christ. Brian advocates for a spiritually-focused, experiential Christianity and renewal of the Church through addressing the deeper spiritual needs and longings of persons.
|
