Contemplative Eyes

We are conditioned by tradition and societal norms to see the world in black and white, particularly when it comes to gender and sexuality. But if we are truly committed to growth and awakening, we must be willing to step beyond these limitations. The labels and categories we grew up with were designed to simplify the complexity of human existence, but they don't capture the fullness of life. Contemplation allows us to see the truth of things in their wholeness. You’re invited to take a contemplative approach to these reflections. It requires looking beyond the surface, recognizing the limitations of dualistic thinking, and embracing the rich diversity of human experience.

Contemplation helps us break free from rigid thinking and allows us to perceive the depth of reality. Only the contemplative, or the deeply intuitive, can start venturing out into much broader and more open-ended horizons. It encourages us to meet each moment with openness, not quick judgment or dismissal. It’s uncomfortable, even humbling, to see how narrow our habitual responses are. To begin to see with new eyes, we must observe—and usually be humiliated by—the habitual way we encounter each and every moment. Yet, in that discomfort, we find the opportunity for growth. With all the changing ways of understanding gender and sexuality, most of us truly need contemplative eyes and the guidance of the Holy Spirit to rupture simplistic binaries and see the divine beauty in diversity. This process of deep seeing takes time and practice, but it is a practice worth committing to every day.