In many ways I think I have always been the type to pay attention to what is going on. Of course, it is impossible to pay attention to everything. At least this is true if we are living a “normal American life.” What I mean by this kind of normal life is the “stuff” of our lives. Surely, there are monks in our midst…and some of us even live more monkish that the average person. I think there are times I fit this description.
But I also recognize I have a car. I have a radio in the car, which is usually playing some kind of music or NPR as I drive along. There is the whirr of the traffic. I am paying attention, but I don’t lock on to every car coming at me, nor all the cars to my right and left. I have a phone, email, and all the other technology. When I am sitting in my study at school, folks can call me on the phone sitting on the desk or the cell phone sitting on the desk!
I do not paint this picture to condemn it. In fact, it is a way of life that I have chosen. It is not bad; but it does have warnings that should come with it. It is these warnings that I would like to give some attention. It is important occasionally to heed these warnings to avoid problems.
The problem, as I see it, is not life threatening. I won’t die if I don’t give up the car, the computer, cell phone, and so on. But without some undue attention, I may face a life-draining situation. I can have all the “stuff” of a normal American life, but not have meaning.
One way I would like to examine this is with the phrase, “in passing.” I use this phrase occasionally. I hear other people use it. As I think about it, I see it used in three ways. Let’s look at each one of these in order to get perspective on gaining some meaning in life.
The first way people use the phrase, “in passing,” has to do with duration. In passing typically indicates a short duration. There is nothing lasting. We hear it in a phrase like, “it was a passing fancy.” Meaning and purpose in life will have duration. If I am chasing something which becomes a passing fancy, there will be no meaning or purpose in that.
Secondly, “in passing” has to do with motion. If we take our cars on the interstate, there will be many other cars passing us. Some will come at us and pass. Others will come from behind and pass us. By definition, motion means things pass by. Again, if life is lived like this---in passing---there will be no meaning or purpose. Meaning and purpose have to have some “staying power” in order to be effective.
Finally, “in passing” has to do with the superficial things in our lives. I have had many superficial interests in my life which turned out to be nothing. I remember my serious decision to become the world’s most famous guitar player! Actually, it was a superficial commitment. I realized I much preferred baseball. I was much better with a curve than a chord!
So what does this have to do with spirituality? And my spiritual journey? Everything!!
If my spiritual journey is only a series of passing fancies, it does not really amount to anything. It has no duration. It will not last. There will be no meaning or purpose. And if my spiritual journey is only something that comes and goes---like the cars on an interstate---there will be no staying power. Of course, if my spirituality is superficial---a mere dabbling in it---then there will no discipline and, therefore, no depth. Without depth, I fear there is no meaning and purpose.
Life will pass. I am intrigued that in my neighborhood, “passing” seems to be the favorite synonym for “dead!” So if I live my life “in passing,” certainly I will be without any vitality. To be without vitality is to be without meaning and without purpose. To this I am going to pay attention!
But I also recognize I have a car. I have a radio in the car, which is usually playing some kind of music or NPR as I drive along. There is the whirr of the traffic. I am paying attention, but I don’t lock on to every car coming at me, nor all the cars to my right and left. I have a phone, email, and all the other technology. When I am sitting in my study at school, folks can call me on the phone sitting on the desk or the cell phone sitting on the desk!
I do not paint this picture to condemn it. In fact, it is a way of life that I have chosen. It is not bad; but it does have warnings that should come with it. It is these warnings that I would like to give some attention. It is important occasionally to heed these warnings to avoid problems.
The problem, as I see it, is not life threatening. I won’t die if I don’t give up the car, the computer, cell phone, and so on. But without some undue attention, I may face a life-draining situation. I can have all the “stuff” of a normal American life, but not have meaning.
One way I would like to examine this is with the phrase, “in passing.” I use this phrase occasionally. I hear other people use it. As I think about it, I see it used in three ways. Let’s look at each one of these in order to get perspective on gaining some meaning in life.
The first way people use the phrase, “in passing,” has to do with duration. In passing typically indicates a short duration. There is nothing lasting. We hear it in a phrase like, “it was a passing fancy.” Meaning and purpose in life will have duration. If I am chasing something which becomes a passing fancy, there will be no meaning or purpose in that.
Secondly, “in passing” has to do with motion. If we take our cars on the interstate, there will be many other cars passing us. Some will come at us and pass. Others will come from behind and pass us. By definition, motion means things pass by. Again, if life is lived like this---in passing---there will be no meaning or purpose. Meaning and purpose have to have some “staying power” in order to be effective.
Finally, “in passing” has to do with the superficial things in our lives. I have had many superficial interests in my life which turned out to be nothing. I remember my serious decision to become the world’s most famous guitar player! Actually, it was a superficial commitment. I realized I much preferred baseball. I was much better with a curve than a chord!
So what does this have to do with spirituality? And my spiritual journey? Everything!!
If my spiritual journey is only a series of passing fancies, it does not really amount to anything. It has no duration. It will not last. There will be no meaning or purpose. And if my spiritual journey is only something that comes and goes---like the cars on an interstate---there will be no staying power. Of course, if my spirituality is superficial---a mere dabbling in it---then there will no discipline and, therefore, no depth. Without depth, I fear there is no meaning and purpose.
Life will pass. I am intrigued that in my neighborhood, “passing” seems to be the favorite synonym for “dead!” So if I live my life “in passing,” certainly I will be without any vitality. To be without vitality is to be without meaning and without purpose. To this I am going to pay attention!
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