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What is the
difference between the average person and one who shines brightly in
the world? One difference is that the one who shines has both a clear
vision and the resources, both internal and external, to accomplish
it. A practical mystic is such a person. We are people who believe in
the goodness of humanity. We know there is something greater than
ourselves operating in this world, while remaining grounded in the
realities of the physical existence in this world. We live our lives
with realism but with purpose. We acknowledge and accept the human
condition as fallible, imperfect, yet capable of greatness. We do not
lose sight of the grand possibilities while at the same time we live
life in a practical manner that allows for the duality of existence.
This is not an easy task. It requires the ability to hold the tension
of opposites, to know that life is messy and cannot be put into a nice
neat package…ever. It requires the courage to live in this messiness
of life without illusion but without despair. We must learn to hold
the reality of the duality of the physical and psychological world and
the unity of the spiritual world at the same time, denying neither,
neglecting neither, allowing for both. We must constantly walk the
balance between becoming self-absorbed and avoiding self-inquiry.
There is only one way to negotiate this middle way and that is the
path of self-responsibility. If we are ever to live in a world free of
violence and war, then self-responsibility must be the prevailing
theme of life. This requires the willingness to blame no one,
including ourselves, and an unwillingness to become a victim to life's
unpredictable and often seemingly unjust circumstances. We must
empower ourselves to have choice regardless of whatever unjust events
come our way. And we must have the equanimity to trust the higher and
greater picture that does have a Divine Intelligence behind every
single thing that happens in this world.
There is a Sufi story about Moses and his teacher, a prophet named al-Khidr.
Moses went to him and asked him to teach him the secrets of the
universe. Al-Khidr agreed with one condition, which was that Moses was
to follow him and not question any action that was taken. Moses agreed
but soon found himself in a quandary when al-Khidr behaved in a way
that seemed very unspiritual with the local townspeople. Later it was
revealed that had this action not been taken, the entire town would
have been destroyed. But Moses did not know this and only saw what he
judged as an immoral act. Thus in his shortsightedness and in his lack
of vision of the higher picture, he lost the opportunity of the
moment. We do this in our own smaller ways all the time.
Yossi Klein Halevi, a gifted writer in Jerusalem, says " To feel God's
presence in meditation and prayer is the easy part; the real challenge
is to feel God's presence in failure-- and even more in the seeming
failure of a job done for God." Those of us who dedicate our lives to
God experience repeatedly this reality. We do our best but sometimes
it appears we fail. Who is to say in the final analysis whether that
it true, whether a seeming failure is not in fact an aspect of a
greater plan for good. But usually we have no way of knowing. Can we
accept this fact? Can we dedicate our lives to living practically in
the world, having deep faith in the Divine Order, and not judging
ourselves or others based on what we see in the moment? This requires
great fortitude, to say the least. Yet this is the essence of
practical mysticism. We must follow the guidance of our hearts, the
Voice of Truth on our hearts, even when it takes us in directions that
others may not like or agree with. And we must have the courage to
self-correct if we get feedback that indicates we are going in the
wrong direction for our highest good. Sometimes we goof and we listen
to the voice of the lower self. More often we goof by not listening to
what we know is the truth of our own heart and regretting it later.
The middle way. The practical mystic. Enjoyment of the world,
enjoyment of the body, enjoyment of life's pleasures, without becoming
self-absorbed, preoccupied, selfish or neglectful. Chant God's name
and pay the bills. Sing in zikr and take the kids to soccer practice.
Pray the morning prayer and go to work. This is the challenge at hand.
We walk the balance beam of the center path without disowning
anything.
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