The goal of Confucian philosophy and ethics
is to find the hidden reality of heaven
in the center of your being
and from that center to engage in right action.
Otherwise, you spend your life in
frustration, confusion, and self-seeking.
Confucius held the Universal Christ on tap.
The new mythology is the ancient mythology
but in a subjective sense –
the glorious past or future is no longer
‘out there’ but ‘in here’
in each individual as a center of
‘The Mind at Large Without Limits.’
Centuries ago, atheism emerged as a protest
against the evil in the world. But to combat darkness
they deified human values of reason and science –
they made Reason and Science their Lord and Master.
Subsequently, rationality destroyed our ability
to respond to numinous symbols so that
we are now at the mercy of the psychic underworld –
deep subconscious urges – lust, greed, and hate –
evil spirits – that only religion can contain.
As our spiritual and moral traditions collapse
there is world-wide disorientation –
we have overcome ‘superstition’
but now have no guiding lights.
To the extent you think you can attain to holiness
by your own strength or wisdom
to that extent you have lost the humility of holiness.
Atheists who think they can save themselves –
build the Garden of Eden without God –
are lost before they begin.
In spite of all the world-darkness
the Second Vatican Council approached
human nature positively as made in the image of God
and human dignity as founded on our call
to communion with God within us.
As Ken Wilber notes: often unbelievers and critics of religion
equate the pre-rational and trans-rational believer.
The pre-rational have not yet discovered the power of reason,
the transrational have seen the limits of reason and transcended it.
Pre-rational is immature, spiritual ‘milk’
that makes you oppositional, defensive
and unable to respect and include
those outside your circle.
Only your emotions have been converted.
“Through conversion/transformation
of your intellect, will and emotions
(wisdom, obedience to God, and love)
you become a fully alive and authentic human being.”
– Bernard Lonergan
The fully converted use reason and science
but only as two tools in their toolbox –
they also employ the parables of Jesus as koan-bombs:
subversive memes that blow apart the everyday
rational worldview.
In the Cloud of Unknowing
you feel and know nothing for certain
except your naked intent to love God for God alone
in the nakedness of God’s Being.
When you get soul-naked with God
true love-making happens.
Afterwards, in the afterglow
“The Holy Spirit rests in the soul of the just
like a dove in her nest.
The Spirit hatches good desires in a pure soul
as the dove hatches her young.”
– Jean Vianney
As Jesus said: “I thank you Lord
that you have hidden your truth
from intellectuals, the wise rationalists of the world
and have revealed it to the simple.”
“I don’t say anything when I pray.
I just sit and look at God
and let God look at me.”
– An old peasant
Intelligent Christian Spirituality 