Holding two things at a time (very lengthy post)

this is not by me but by a wonderful lady in N.J.
It was just sent to me - thought this might be a good place to share this. Does it speak to you?

What is the difference between the average person and the one who shines brightly in the world? Though the answer to this question is complex, a few clues exist on this topic. One clue that stands out is this:
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. They are people who believe in the goodness of humanity. They know there is something greater than themselves operating in this world, while remaining grounded in the realities of the physical existence in this world. They live their lives with realism but with purpose.
They acknowledge and accept the human condition as fallible, imperfect, yet capable of greatness. They do not lose sight of the grand possibilities while at the same time they 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. The grandest lifework is learning to hold the reality of the duality of the psysical and psychological world, and

the unity of the spiritual world at the same time.
Denying neither, neglecting neither, allowing for the existence of both and not shattering ourselves in the process. We must constantly walk the balance between becoming self-absorbed and avoiding self-inquiry. There is only one way to negotiate this middel way and that is the path of self-responsibility.

If we are ever to live in a world free of coexistence and peace, free of violence and war, then self-responibility 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 geater picture that does have a Divine Intelligence behind it all.

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_Kidhr agreed with one condition - that Moses was to follow him and not question any action that he took. Moses agreed, but soon found himself in a quandry when al-Kidhr behaved in what seemed to be a very 'unspiritual' way

with the local townspeople. Later it was revealed that had this action not been taken, the entire town would have been destoyed. But Mosed 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 highter picture, he lost the opportunity of the moment. We do this in our own smaller ways all the time.

Yossi Klein Halevy, a gifted writer, Philosopher, and journalist in the Holy Land says,
"To feel God's presence in meditation and prayer is the easypart, 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 this reality repeatedly inour lives. We so our best but sometimes it appears we fail.
Who is to say in the final analysis whether that is true--whether a seeming failure is not in fact and 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 asking for so-called success or judging our actions based on the immediate results?

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 Coice of Truth in our hearts, even when it takes us in directions that may seem illogical or that others may not like or agree with. And we must have the courage to self-correect of we get feeback that indicates we are not going in the best direction.

The middle way. The practical mystic. Enjoyment of the world, enjoyment of the body, enjoyment of life's pleasures, without becoming self-absorbed, preoccupied or neglectful. Chant God's name and pay the bills. Say a blessing and take the kids to soccer practice. Pray the morning prayer and invest in the stock market. this is the work at hand. We walk the balance beam of the center path without disowning anything. Int his way, the lost sparks are embraced and returned to thier root through the living of our daily life. And in the end, we cannot evaluate the meaning of our life based on immediate results.
As a dear friend of mine used to say, "only God knows and He ain't telling."

May peace prevail in your heart regardless of the outer circumstances.

www.energeticpsychology.com

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