Friday, March 9, 2012

not afraid

Most of us have a number of constant internal dialogues, broadcasting wants and needs from different parts of our bodies and souls. One of the things I like best about Lent is the re-cognizance of that fact and the opportunity to begin cleaning house completely: body, mind, heart, and soul. We are truly a bundle of desires crying out for satisfaction.

Incidentally, the Buddha's solution to this problem was to deny desire itself as evil, the cause of all the multitude of evils and suffering in the world. Christians believe that one's desires for good things are ultimately part of one's deepest desire for God; the righteousness or sin comes about in how we act on our desires.

I myself have quite a few worry dialogues going on at any given time. At the root of them, I think, is one big worry that I'll forget something important. But recently, I've come to realize I'm free of one particular burden: the fear of being single. It just doesn't bother me anymore. Praise the Lord.

3 comments:

Kevin Grimstad said...

'Tis great that you have such a tremendous blessing. Any recommendations on how to be more accepting of one's singleness? Or do you think it is just more of a grace you've allowed yourself to accept?

J. J. said...

I think that release from fear and worry is always a gift from God. But I am in the process of reading a book called "Beginning Contemplative Prayer" by Kathryn J. Hermes, FSP, which has been very helpful in many ways.

Anonymous said...

Sister Kathryn James??? ISn't that the sister you prayed for when you were little?