In our positively polarised new-age culture, it is often said that God (or The Universe) always says yes. But there’s a Biblical story from the old testament which illustrates an important reason why there’s something God says ‘no’ to and the gift that this denial gives to each and every one of us…
No Way Dude
Moses in the Old Testament beseeched God to make himself known to him. God said “No way dude, you’d be annihilated” (I paraphrase) ;0)
Essentially this story points to God, Divinity as the unknowable mystery. No single being can encapsulate the infinite.
So Moses badgers God who finally agrees to let His shadow fall briefly across him. And in that moment Moses’ hair turns instantly grey and he runs mad around the dessert for 40 days and 40 nights…
This story reflects the deep longing within each human individual to connect with the unknowable – as voiced by Moses in the story.
A Finite Interpretation Of The Infinite Mystery
It further illustrates how even the slightest conscious awareness of that longing will give birth to a story, a shadow of the Truth. In other words; a perspective, a filtered translation or finite interpretation of the infinite mystery.
Then, my awakened friends, the trap of “I have it” is set. In other words we have tendancy to make our interpretation THE definitive truth, and then preach it as such to others.
In non-personal awareness we move from these subtle (and not so subtle) declarations of absolute truth, to a deep understanding that we each have a unique perspective on reality. It’s the acknowledgement that all we have is our story, and that our story connects us to the unknowable truth of what is.
An Air Of Discovery
When you surrender to the humbling awareness of this, you can begin to enjoy yours and other people’s stories, taking them lightly and entering conversations with an air of discovery and unattached passion.
So enjoy your story of Divinity, knowing it connects you somehow to the unknowable.
Please comment, like & share with your friends
[JY-General-Bio]
How fun and how true! There’s a big difference between “I know, so listen carefully to me to tell you how it is…” and “I know, this is my truth as I experience it now, in this moment. And how lovely to express myself in this way ánd be in a beautiful conversation with you. How would you express your thruth?” This is the long version, obviously, usually expressed in the lightness of expressing ones “truth”, the non-attachedness (new word?)of it. Besides which, expressing what is deeply felt within, often words cannot express completely, can hint at what’s truly felt.
Thanks Joel – this is very helpful and I love Mari-Jose Hakens response too. Very apt for this evening when I plan to be at a ‘truth’ meeting where, at this moment, I feel part of me may/will probably want to feel critical! So these thoughts will help me to go gently – on myself and others – an opportunity for loving growth. Thanks for your generous support and insights. Love and blessings Val
Thank you Joel, Marie-José and Val! How important this is and how very basic for every human relation! And how beautifully expressed!
As I for the moment have dialogism as my basic theoretical framework in my teaching I am surprised about how the pieces of the puzzle just fall inte their places (a swedish metaphor – does it exist in Englilsh) Dialogue is something different from discussion. You show high respect for the other person´s otherness. One person talks, gets listened to, the other person talks, gets listened to to. There is a polyphony of voices – my thoughts add to the other person´s thoughts – all alternatives are open, I might change – the other person might change in a wonderful dance of creativity.
Love Anna Kock, Finland
Thanks Marie-Jose. Yes that difference is fundamental, and the difference often between war and peace. Also diggin’ that new word! 😉
Jx
Thanks for commenting Val, and I hope your meeting went well. I love that you bring up gentleness. It’s got some crappy PR in many sections of our culture, but I don’t know any place where gentleness doesn’t add richness, value and invite the best in humanity. Jx
Hey Anna, thanks for your comment. It’s taken me a while to find space to go through them! Thanks also for your positive feedback and, like Val, sharing how not only the post, but the comments add to the experience. I love the term ‘dialogical’ and totally understand your meaning. As my partner Gina and I post a lot on social media about our relationship and people often comment and ask how we maintain our harmonious partnership, I always site our commitment to a dialogical approach to our togetherness. It’s also core to the ongoing message of NPA – and I love that it’s part of your teaching <3
Keep dancing in the polyphony of voices!
Jx
PS. Yes we have the pieces of the jigsaw falling into place 😉