The Primacy of Love
Addressing concerns about contemplation's perceived connection to ‘Eastern’ meditation in a Christian context reveals a lack of understanding about Christian heritage. However, delving into the rich Christian heritage reveals a profound connection between contemplation and the desert mystics. These courageous souls, like Anthony the Great, sought union with God through disciplined rhythms of life and prayer. Their focus on the 'how' rather than the 'what' challenges Christianity's recent emphasis on beliefs and doctrines.
The desert mystics embraced a teaching of surrender through contemplation to the ineffable mystery of God. Inspired by their wisdom, arises also their emphasis on the primacy of love in spiritual life. For the Desert Fathers and Mothers, love was the essence, surpassing knowledge, asceticism, and contemplation. In their quest for God, they practiced leaving the systems of the world, embracing solitude, observing silence, and employing ‘technologies’ for mastering the compulsivity of mind and emotions.
These practices, once foundational in ancient civilizations, remain relevant in today's world. Contemplative consciousness, devoid of easy labels, recognizes the inherent dignity and equality of all things as reflections of the divine image. It becomes the bedrock for nurturing love and community in the intricate dance of our shared human experience.
The path of contemplation transcends borders, fostering a profound connection with the divine and each other. It is a timeless practice that continues to shape civilizations and human communities, reminding us of the universal truth that love is the essence of our spiritual journey.
May our sacred journey of contemplation be
a radiant ode to the primacy of love.
As we dance to the disciplined rhythms of life and prayer,
may this profound essence of divine love
become the cornerstone, shaping civilizations and human communities.
In the gentle folds of contemplation's embrace, Emerge concerns, whispered shadows of doubt, A perceived union, 'Eastern' whispers in Christian halls, A lack of understanding veils the heritage's tapestry. Yet, within the rich Christian tapestry, A profound connection unfolds, A dance with desert mystics, Courageous souls, seekers of divine union. Anthony the Great, a guide in disciplined rhythms, Life and prayer, pathways to the sacred, The 'how' echoed, challenging echoes of 'what,' In the corridors of beliefs and doctrines. Desert mystics surrender to the ineffable, A teaching woven into contemplation's fabric, Inspired by wisdom, an emphasis arises, Primacy of love, a hymn in the spiritual choir. For Desert Fathers and Mothers, Love, an essence beyond knowledge, asceticism, Contemplation, a silent hymn, A departure from worldly systems, embracing solitude. Silence, a sacred language spoken, Observing, a communion with the profound, 'Technologies' mastering mind's compulsivity, In the quest for God, ancient practices reborn. Foundational echoes in wilderness civilizations, A resonance in today's world, Contemplative consciousness, devoid of labels, A recognition, inherent dignity reflected divine. The bedrock of love and community, In the intricate dance of shared humanity, A timeless path, transcending borders, Fostering a connection with the divine, with each other. Reminding us, in the tapestry of existence, Universal truth echoes, Love, the essence, the heartbeat, Of our eternal spiritual journey.