I have come across this quote from Father Laurence Freeman twice in as many days. It is from his book, First Sight, page 87 and 88 (copyright 2011).
"First sight is seeing what is. Deep listening is an act of radical obedience to what is. Obedience means more than just doing what you are told. It is becoming the truth that you hear. The Latin obaudire links listening to obedience. St. Benedict speaks of ' obedience without delay' as the means of uniting the mind of the disciple with that of the master... The 'kingdom of heaven' or the 'reign of God' are the gospel terms for union with God and others in the fully developed form of love without boundaries called 'agape'. Father Freeman continues by saying, "Union, once it is uncovered, is boundless...Peace means the acceptance of the freedom from limitations." He refers to this as "being infinitely stretched into nothingness."
In our society, where people clamor to be heard and recognized, it is easy to become suspicious of, and even reject such an idea. Yet Father Freeman reminds us that what inhabits us is expanding endlessly. God knows no boundaries, and that limitless is our destination, and where we already are. If it helps, think of your soul as a beautiful, ever expanding mandala, or perhaps a blossom that never stops blooming.
I am looking forward to sitting in meditation with others during Lent. If you are interested, please send me a note. Two times will be offered on Zoom: Tuesdays at 2:30 and Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. Pacific Time. We will start with a reading then sit in silence for twenty minutes. We will follow with a short period of discussion and prayer.
Blessings on your ever expanding journey.
photograph: San Leandro, February 2021
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