How Well Do You Know Yourself?
"Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart." ~Unknown
Living With a Big Mind
By: Ian Lawton
My offspring are “PK’s” (that is, perfect kids!) So, if they are PK’s, then I am just P (fill in your own blank- my kids do). Parenting is one of the toughest, and most thankless, jobs there is. I get it wrong often. Please tell me that others do also! Sometimes I confuse my own issues with parenting; my expectations, or my timeline, or else I’m just in a bad mood. I usually realize after the fact that I have acted mindlessly and it’s rarely effective in that case. It usually leads to a spiral of worse behavior. On the other hand, when I catch myself and think for even a second, I can respond at two different levels. I can remain completely calm and patient on the inside, and respond with clear discipline on the outside. It’s much more effective and leaves the blood pressure at reasonable levels. My kids are so much more than their behavior. I can unconditionally love and accept them on the inside and set appropriate boundaries on the outside.
This balance of an inner and outer response intrigues me. Religious imagery has often pointed to two realities, but more often has portrayed them as higher and lower realities. The Jewish mystical saying “as above, so below,” is much like the saying attributed to Jesus “in heaven as on earth.” Jacob’s ladder was a dream image from Genesis, where the ladder rested on the eaves of heaven connecting heaven and earth.
When taken literally, these images lose the power of their poetry. The belief in a physical heaven, somewhere above the earth, is just as absurd as a ladder that stretches there. If it was a possibility, then Home Depot would surely have cornered that market.
Literalizing poetry is also dangerous. It leads to the type of dualism that degrades the lower, or flesh or matter. This has been part of the ideology of gender inequality, racism, homophobia, and ecological destruction. The church has also used literal dualism to control the hopes and fears of its members. The prize is always kept just out of reach, an other worldly heaven, maintaining dependence on the church. Religion has often expected people to gobble scripture up literally, confusing the menu for the meal. Religion has called people to climb a ladder to some other realm for our miracles, confusing the map for the terrain.
If the imagery is not to be taken literally, then what is its point? The truth might be better described as living in both duality and non-duality at the same time. Duality is marked by judgment, preference and boundaries. Non-duality is marked by equanimity, or unconditional acceptance of whatever arises.
Maybe higher and lower, inside and outside, duality and non-duality are two sides of the same coin and maybe that’s what the religious imagery was getting at. After all, we need dualistic thinking. Without it, we would not nourish our bodies. We would never make a decision, nor set any healthy boundaries in our lives. But if all we have is dualistic thinking, then we imprison ourselves in a world of judgment and impatience. On the other hand, if we dwell in non-duality, we are no use to anyone. We feel nothing and have neither preference nor passion.
We can hold these two seemingly different realities in dynamic tension. On the one hand, we hold a universal and all inclusive worldview that all ideas are what they are. Our minds refuse no thought. On the other hand, we can pick and choose ideas and traditions according to what makes most sense to us. When we discern our own truths with this inner intention of no expectation and pure acceptance, we do so with humility and patience.
There are many meditation practices that offer a glimpse of non-dual awareness, that One Taste of heaven. The only one that I know of that offers training in developing both awareness of our dual reality and a glimpse of non-dual awareness is the Big Mind exercise. It’s not only the only one that I know if, it’s also brilliant.
Dennis Genpo Merzel Roshi created the Big Mind practice over decades as a Zen teacher. I had the privilege of training with Genpo in Salt Lake City in 2005. It was life-changing. Nothing before or since has been so instrumental in both bringing greater awareness and helping to shift my limited perspective. I broke my arm while I was there, and learnt some important lessons about patience. The lessons learnt in the 18 months since have been far more profound. I now live and love, parent and preach, work and rest with a different self-awareness. I now see that God is closer to me than I am to myself, so studying my reactions and responses brings me closer to divine presence. I care more, and yet suffering can’t shake my world. Big Heart! I am more open and there is always more to come. Big Mind!
Big Mind is an interactive exercise in two parts. The first takes the dualistic journey to greater self-awareness. You become intimate with parts of your “self” that you didn’t know existed. You give them voice and purpose and introduce them to other parts of your “self.” This is an exercise in integration. The second offers a non-dual shift in perspective, which transcends any expectation or judgment. Then it all comes together in appropriate living; fully liberated and freely functioning human being.
I am indebted to Genpo Roshi for his guidance and support. He has entrusted me with facilitating his practice in our community, and I take this responsibility very seriously. We are about to offer another opportunity for people to gather and participate in a Big Mind session. Details are below.
If you haven’t participated before, come along and see what it's all about. If you have, come again. You can’t do Big Mind too many times. Each time, something new and exciting emerges.
Several times a week I meditate in our chapel. I sit before a plaque that reads "Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. It means to be in the midst of all those things and still be calm in your heart."
That’s it in a nutshell. Peace in the heart, while noise and anxiety abound on every side.
Don't miss the next Big Mind Workshop
Sunday, February 25
12:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Christ Community Church Chapel
Big Mind is an interactive exercise that offers an insight into the heart of all spiritual traditions. It’s a simple and fun process that is well suited to our western, inquisitive minds and offers a glimpse of the divine seed within. The last Big Mind session sold out very quickly. Tickets are $25, and can be purchased on Sunday, by calling the church office at 616.842.1985 or by emailing allison@christ-community.net.
Learn more at the official Big Mind Website
Sermon from Evolution Sunday
You will not want to miss the concluding sermon from our Science and Religion series. Ian spoke on February 11, Evolution Sunday, on "The Human Brain as a Center for Religion and Science."
Ian explores the classic biblical story of the transfiguration from three different perspectives. He demonstrates that you can read the story literally, metaphorically, or physiologically, and still be left with an inspiring miracle. Ian then takes it a step further to challenge us to examine how the way in which we read biblical stories effects our religion and our daily lives.
Read the sermon text here
Rabbi Rami Shapiro coming to Christ Community Church on March 17-18
Rabbi Rami Shapiro has been called a “Stand Up Mystic,” the “Jewish Alan Watts,” and a “Holy Rascal.” He is a funny, entertaining, iconoclastic, and insightful teacher who loves to help people wake up to the Divine within.
Genpo Roshi had this to say of his friend, "Rami is one of the best bridges of eastern and western wisdom."
You will not want to miss the incredible opportunity to hear this unique spiritual guru who, when asked to describe himself, says,
“I am Jewish by birth, and a rabbi by training, but I have gone beyond both in my explorations of how to awaken the Divine in all things . . . that’s what drives me.”
Saturday morning Rabbi Rami will lead two morning lectures. In the afternoon, we will explore how to live more meaningful lives through a dialogue between Rabbi Rami and Ian Lawton, in addition to hands-on, experiential workshops.
Friday, March 16
7:30 pm “Loving-Kindness in the Jewish Tradition” at Temple B’Nai Israel, Muskegon
Saturday, March 17
9:00 am “Jesus: The God Intoxicated Jewish Mystic“ - $25
2:00 pm “Awakening to the Divine Within” - $25
Sunday, March 18
9:30 am Gathering & sermon talk-back with Rami
You may purchase tickets at Christ Community Church, by credit card by calling 616.842.1985, through paypal on our website, or by mailing a check to:
Christ Community Church
225 E. Exchange St.
Spring Lake, MI 49456
Check out this Sunday's Mardi Gras Bulletin
This Sunday at C3/CCC we will celebrate Mardi Gras with our large community celebration.
Join us for lively music, giant (we're talking truly huge) balloons, colorful beads, and lots of fun.
Whether you will join us in Spring Lake or online take in the Mardi Gras spirit with these words of inspiration:
“Play in its purest form is not entertainment, or business, or emotional escape, but an entry into sacred space. It suspends the world about us, perhaps for deeper or more joyful entry into that world. It is an engagement, often light-hearted enough, with the mystery of being.” ~Anthony Esolen
Download this week's bulletin
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