The Veil Between The Worlds
- Details
- Created on Sunday, 30 October 2011 01:00
- Written by Elaine Beth Peresluha
Please note that this is the written text from which Elaine speaks extemporaneously. The words will not match what you hear on Sunday mornings. To hear exactly what is said please go to our podcasts of Sunday's sermons.
Halloween. All Souls Day... Hallowmas or Samhain... November's Eve is said to be the night when the veil that divides the worlds of the living from the world of the dead is thinnest. It is the time of growing darkness, the year’s death, when the harvest is gathered and the fields lay fallow. The gates of life and death are opened. The dead walk and to the living, is revealed the Mystery...the truth- that every ending is but a new beginning.
Doors open, doors close- we live, we die.
I have walked through many lives,
some of them my own
and I am not who I was,
though some principle of being
abides, from which I struggle
not to stray.
Stanley Kunitz reminds us in his poem Layers- to live in the layers, not the litter
In my darkest night,
when the moon was covered
and I roamed through the wreckage,
a nimbus cloud voice
directed me.
“live in the layers,
not in the litter.”
Though I lack the art to decipher it,
no doubt the next chapter
in my book of transformations
is already written.
I am not done with my changes.
Witches. Wise or scary?
Glasses. Half full or half empty?
Our hearts, the heart of the other. Hardened- or soft?
We decide: There is not truth we hold that is self evident. We decide moment to moment what is true- how we will live. What are our rocks upon which we stand? What is it that inside us and around us grows, shimmers, and like the aurora borealis continuously becomes new?
I grew to almost my present hight- in first grade- there I was at 4’11 towering over everyone else. That is right around the time when all of are imprinted with our perceptions of our bodies- the space we occupy. I imprinted “Tall”. I grew just about 4 more inches- graduating from high school at 5’1 and ¾ inches. I was in a graduating class of about 8ooo students and we were instructed to line up according to height- short people in the front tall people aat the back of the line- so I went directly to the back of the line- stood right next to my friend Suzanne who looked down at me form her 5’ 11” and said- “Elaine- what are you doing back here?” She saw that I looked perplexed and said, “You are short. You are supposed to go the front of the line.” I was sincerely shocked. I had no idea I was short- and I still have to work at that one- I will never “feel” short.
Feelings are not always our best indictors of reality. We should be checking in our perceptions as we make decision, or respond to the world. Pilots know this. They understand that under certain conditions the plane literally can turns upside down- pilots feel like they are upright- climbing in altitude, when exactly the opposite is true- and they are actually plummeting towards the earth in the dark or the fog. The first rule of flying, do not fly by the seat of your pants trust the instruments
The instrumental measure of spiritual growth is measures of inner peace- the relaxation of tension, of rigidity- of stridency-. Spiritual growth occurs with a gradual approach here a piece=- there a piece- one step forward two steps back it asks for our attention and intention- with no promise of arrival- until- without warning- no bells or whistles- we realize, we have arrived.
We are called by our U.U. principles to affirm and promote a free and responsible search for truth and meaning- that is our balance between mind and spirit- negotiating the concept of spiritual growth- framing it a bit openly to minimize resistance- yet, isn’t that why we are all here? To find some way to live our lives as Barbara Kingsolver says “…without running off screaming into the woods.” As one’s heart and mind grow, courage strengthens, flexibility increases, and the discomfort of uncertainty and complexity is easier to bear. Compassion, tolerance, and equanimity develop along with the integrity to speak the truth with love.
A mature spirit- regardless of age- is a big spirit- not I size, - but in stature The big heart is able to speak softly, listen with appreciation, and withhold judgment or the need to correct the words or choices of another. The bigger we grow, the more able we are to loosen our grip on the truth-
Getting Free
A tendency to think and act spontaneously, rather than on fears based on past experience
An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment
A loss of interest in judging other people
A loss of interest in conflict
A loss of the ability to worry
Frequent overwhelming episodes of appreciation
Contented feelings of connectedness with others and nature
Frequent attacks of smiling
An increased capacity to experience the love extended by others as well as the uncontrollable urge to extend it back.
I went to Phoenix AZ two summers ago to join other U.U.’s in protesting AZ’s restrictive immigration legislation. A demonstration and civil disobediance was planned. Those who could accept the consequences of possibly being arrested did. Those of us who could not do that trained to be their allies- supporting them as they stepped over the line of legalities. The line was literally stepping off the side walk. Police were charged to keep us on the side walk- out of the street where traffic was obstructed. Those prepared to be arrested. Stepped off the sidewalk and formed a unit sitting, chanting and holding hands on the street. The policy were scary looking- All in black, with helmets and guns. Sticks and boots- very intimidating, Darth Vader looks. The used intimidating voices, commands and unchanging commands Remain on the side walk. Back up You are getting too close. If you refuse you will be arrested.
I was packed with the crowd, on the sidewalk, keepin my eye on my partner. Was she OK? Did she need water? Was she signling me to call her beloved. I needed to get her purse- no belongs can be with someone arrested… The young policiman was right in front of me. Stern, icy eyes. When a woman behind me –right in my ear started yelling rather crude and disrespectful names at the policeman. She got angrier and angrier. My role was to calm anxiety in the crowd. Keep violence from erupting. I truned to her and said “Please, This is difficult. We need your help for it to remain safe.” She started screaming obscenities at me- who did I think I was- Who’s side was I on… Please, Let’s talk. He is just doing his job. He is young. Can you keep your voice down. Help us. She had a right to yell. These pigs were violating our rights, being bullys. Etc, etc. etc. I stood face to face with her- inches between us- my body between her and the policeman who stood shoulder to shoulder with his forces- a line of power between me and Annette. The woman backed off. I turned to the policman- such a young boy- not even a man he seemed. I said Are you OK? Would you like some water? His eyes softened. I saw a tear trickling donw his cheek. He dared not glance or speak- so I just stood there looking at him for a long moment… his lips moved in ever so quiet a gesture but I understood. Thank you. Thank you.
Our best selves are sometimes illusive- we are unable to perceive them- our young hearts see the worst in our selves in others- and beg us to keep growing the range and depth of our love, and our capacity for meaningful relationships- expand our ability to put our selves second to the well being of the whole.
It does not matter how wer grow our spirits- Buddhists meditate, Yogis practice asanas, Catholics say the rosary and Muslims pray. Some like Perrin Cohin professor of psychology at North Eastern, teach us to own a process of ethics education, developing an interdisciplinary model of ethical inquiry.
They all work- The relevant decision is to choose one- and hold on to the intention to love and not hate- to heal and not harm-and be wiling to be changed.
The world needs us all to be willingness to be changed- to mature our spirits and our minds- in order to appreciate the complexities of our world. To respond to each other with wisdom and appreciation, expanding the volume of life we can take into your being.
To perceive rightly. To see the whole world in a grain of sand- to know this life as a miracle, to live and die without regret.
Doors open. Doors close.
This life is short.
Do not waste yours sustaining illusions.