Why It Is So Important To Have Support

On an elementary level religious discipline draws out the sham values of ordinary social life. On a more elevated level it invites us to parse the inadequacies of formulaic and formal religious and spiritual practises and insights...the things that we had preciously accepted as valid.

Maturity demands that we first abandon and then discard as irrelevant certain aspirations, commonly accepted formulas and incantations, which in the past have meant a great deal to us. Previously perceived inspiration gives way to risk. Darkness strips that which was formerly gratifying.

Companions fall away.

Adjusting to this new level is at first frightening, if not terrifying. Painful. But this openness to new experience constitutes genuine growth that only contemplative prayer can generate and nurture.

And that is why that in this it is so important to have the support of someone who knows what this is all about experientially.

Forty years in the wilderness getting to know the beasts

Projected and reflected on the greatest and the least

Forty years of days and nights - angels hovering near

Kept me moving forward though the way was far from clear

And they said

Take up your load

Run south to the road

Turn to the setting sun

Sun going down

Got to cover some ground

Before everything comes undone

Take up your load

Run south to the road

Turn to the setting sun

Sun going down

Got to cover some ground

Before everything comes undone

Comes undone

Forty years in the wilderness dancing with the flies

Dazzled by the visions rolling out before my eyes

Angel-made graffiti, demons in disguise

You could trade away your birthright for another day's supplies

Or you could

Take up your load

Run south to the road

Turn to the setting sun

Sun going down

Got to cover some ground

Before everything comes undone

Take up your load

Run south to the road

Turn to the setting sun

Sun going down

Got to cover some ground

Before everything comes undone

Comes undone

Rising with the height of land, falling with the crowd

Spirits in the scouring wind called my name out loud

Said you could go to heaven, you could go to hell

You could hang out in between in the place you know so well

Or you could

Take up your load

Run south to the road

Turn to the setting sun

Sun going down

Got to cover some ground

Before everything comes undone

Take up your load

Run south to the road

Turn to the setting sun

Sun going down

Got to cover some ground

Before everything comes undone

Comes undone