Only By A Paradox

The race does not belong to swift; the battle does not belong to the strong.

Ecclesiates 9:11a

This self-denying element holds the possiblity of jarring awake the realization that we are living a contrived life. Some elements of some religous traditions make no effort to get beyond this point. And it is true that even passive efforts on our own part to provide some sort of stepping stone past this impasse will only mirror the latent futility of our already fabricated self. And there are valid criticisms that much of historical Christian contemplative methodology has been guilty of precisely this. Nevertheless, when stripped to our essential self seated in immense darkness - the self without cultural artifice, personal desire, or theological interpretation - I AM (YHWH) has repeatedly streamed forth [unbidden and] beat back the weakness of my sight (Augustine). This eternal spring flows, bursts out, swells (John Tauler). This excessive light...given in...thick darkness...overwhelms that which is great and does away with that which is little (St. John of the Cross).

By a paradox that is beyond all human experience so we come to experience ourselves as a person, alien to our false selves, blind, wandering in a wasteland of unlikenesses.

so

awake from sleep

return from exile

find your self

within yourself

the end of the prodigal

but only in

and solely through

the work of God alone

I

and Thou

Take off your shoes for where you stand is holy ground.

Exodus 3:5