In our scientific age “More than knowledge
that comes from research, we need wisdom
that comes from prayer” – William Johnston, SJ
“To know your origins is to know your True Self”
– Lao Tzu
“hell” is “perpetual alienation from the True Self” –
it is constantly living in the False Self
so that your whole life is false
the True Self is hidden in God
so that most of us don’t discover our origins
until we die –
“Broad is the gate that leads to destruction
and many enter through it;
narrow is the gate that leads to eternal life”
– Jesus in Matthew 7:13-14
to enter by the narrow gate/find eternal life
we must understand Teresa of Avila’s
first four mansions in her Interior Castle
which can be summarized by reference to the will:
First Mansion: will marked by self-indulgence
Second Mansion: will marked by spiritual growth
but not steadfastness
Third Mansion: will marked by beginning of resolution
Fourth Mansion: will marked by steadfast union
with the Divine Will in prayer
every day every one out of ignorance and fear
mentally or physically strikes out at “the enemy”
and so the pain in the world goes on –
before the broad gate of aggression we could rather ask
“Do I want war or peace in my inner and outer worlds?”
fear always fears
that what it loves will be taken away
regret always regrets
that what it loved was taken away
but nothing God loves
can be taken away from God –
so that if you are in God
there is nothing to fear or regret.
