We are skillful at hiding from ourselves.
We sail along, riding across the surface of everyday life. We want to move fast, keep going, go faster. We have places to be, things to do, people to see. We do not want to fall behind. We do not want to slow down to go deeper or gain perspective. We are in a hurry. We do not have time to get bogged down.
We do not have time to get to know ourselves well. We are happy to get along with ourselves by going along. If we do not look too closely, too deeply, we will be just fine.
We know ourselves well enough to get by.
Some people do not want to take time to know themselves well because they are afraid. They might not like what they find in themselves. They might be disappointed. They might fall behind. They have responsibilities. They are afraid of not meeting expectations.
We may not even see the depth beneath the surface.
Spiritual life opens our eyes to sacred depth. Spiritual life allows us to appreciate who we are in our truest, innermost selves. Spiritual life shows us how to see for ourselves. Spiritual life has lessons for us.
Spiritual life takes time. We practice opening ourselves to deeper truths, practice letting light into our lives. We learn to look, to listen, to see, to hear. We overcome and clear aside the obstacles that keep us from ourselves. We begin to recognize and make friends with ourselves.
When people work with me, we slow down enough for them to get a good look. We find ways to help them to discover themselves, to see the depth beneath the surface.
What does spiritual life show you?
Who helps you recognize yourself?
[Image by Wagner Machado Carlos Lemes]
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