Nonbeing was used as a concept
by Plato to contrast suffering/existence with pure essence
by Plotinus to describe the loss of the self/soul
by Augustine as an ontological interpretation of sin.
It is inevitable that we fall into nonbeing/sin –
the tension between our freedom and our finitude
creates anxiety as we confront
our great responsibility to fulfill our potential
and our limited ability to do so.
Our thoughts carry us away like the wind
but if we let them dissipate like mist
we end up in the Present Moment
where there is primordial richness and wisdom.
We need to always return to the Present – the Gift.
We also need Community – no matter how flawed.
If the Sangha is having trouble
you first need to transform yourself
into a candle which lights the other candles.
But any Sangha, any Community
Is better than no Community –
Evil/Ego wants to separate and divide us.
In the Body/Ego stage I focus only on
my own physical body and its survival.
In the Mind/Us stage I can put myself in others’ shoes
so I focus on relationships.
In the Spirit/All of Us stage I become aware
not only of all our differences
but also our common values –
the common good of all sentient beings.
Love at all stages: self/others/all creatures
is the Universal Key – God has given humans
the Keys to the Universe
and “Each of you will be rewarded
according to the measure of your love
not according to the amount of work or time it took.”
– God speaking to Catherine of Siena
Intelligent Christian Spirituality 