When you hear the word "middle," what does it bring to mind? Does it have a positive or negative connotation for you What about when you think of the middle of a spiritual journey?
To me, the middle is where the work is done. If one stops, the middle is no longer the middle but is, in fact, the end. Sometimes the work is almost impercetible; sometimes it is only sitting quietly and calming racing thoughts and agitation. Sometimes it is digging deeply and engaging in introspection, and sometimes it is turning totally away from self and studying the thoughts and actions of others who have trod the path before.
Having said that, other than knowning that I am on a journey and therefore in the middle, I've never found it possible to know where I was on a (or may I say 'the' - since I think it really is only one continuous trip) spiritual journey. The notion of a spiritual journey has always perplexed me, as it implies that the wayfarer has some idea of where they are going. Faith has never worked like that for me. I've always ended up places that I can only explain or understand in retrospect. Unlike chess, there's been no strategy evolving. Unlike cathedral windows, the middle is seldom illuminated until I get out of the way of the light and let it reflect on where I've been.
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To me, the middle is where the work is done. If one stops, the middle is no longer the middle but is, in fact, the end. Sometimes the work is almost impercetible; sometimes it is only sitting quietly and calming racing thoughts and agitation. Sometimes it is digging deeply and engaging in introspection, and sometimes it is turning totally away from self and studying the thoughts and actions of others who have trod the path before.
Having said that, other than knowning that I am on a journey and therefore in the middle, I've never found it possible to know where I was on a (or may I say 'the' - since I think it really is only one continuous trip) spiritual journey. The notion of a spiritual journey has always perplexed me, as it implies that the wayfarer has some idea of where they are going. Faith has never worked like that for me. I've always ended up places that I can only explain or understand in retrospect. Unlike chess, there's been no strategy evolving. Unlike cathedral windows, the middle is seldom illuminated until I get out of the way of the light and let it reflect on where I've been.
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