"We live in a time of both crisis and opportunity. While there are many reasons to be anxious, I still have hope. Westerners, including Christians, are rediscovering the value of non-duality: a way of thinking, acting, reconciling, boundary-crossing, and bridge-building based on inner experience of God and God’s Spirit moving in the world. We’re not throwing out our rational mind, but we’re adding non-dual, mystical, contemplative consciousness. When we have both, we’re able to see more broadly, deeply, wisely, and lovingly. We can collaborate on creative solutions to today’s injustices."
~ Richard Rohr
Non-duality is not just a metaphysical or Eastern Buddhist or Hindu belief, in Matthew 22:37-39 Jesus declared it to be the greatest commandment - “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself." Mystics are those who have formed a personal relationship with a loving and powerful consciousness much greater than themselves. In doing so, they gained the ability to be powerful change makers in the midst of chaos.
By loving with ALL our heart and with ALL our soul and with ALL our mind we gain access to a collective creative power greater than ourselves. This complete Loving unites us with an inner and outer experience of God's creation. The entire creation is part of God's body in the same way that we are. And when we love our neighbors with that same all-inclusive love, there is no other. We are all united as one in God's Love. The reason that this experience is so fulfilling is that it is our natural state of being, being in Love. It is true union, true yoga, with our essential nature. It is also the reason that our separation from God's Love, and our Love for others, is so devastating.
The first step to reconnecting with love is to pause. Stop what you are doing, or processing, and pause. The second step is to breathe. The third step is to pay attention to what the breath is shifting within yourself and the environment. Let yourself feel what is shifting within you. The increasing space, fluidity, and peace you begin to feel within is you free from the confines of the stress of “doing.” Over time, continued practice of pausing like this, conditions our nervous systems to be more flexibility. It also gives us a greater ability to focus and to connect with others. We simply re-gain our natural God given qualities.
The practical results of a more connected and less stressful life is clarity and efficiency in action. The principles of spiritual life, the saints and mystics are always inclusive, loving, supportive, and prosperous. “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33) is not just religious dogma. It is a fundamental principle of life itself. So, seek God first, in what ever that means to you, and all else will be added unto you.
For MaDar and I, that Kingdom is the consciousness of Love that provides, not only Love, but Wisdom and Power. It brings the recognition and affirmation of self as other in a safe and affirming environment. We gain a new and loving family, a heart based inspiring and uplifting community.