I decided to use the plainest, most unmade, end of day photo as a representation of my own rising and converging…especially challenging given how much I loath them.
The above quote is from Teilhard de Chardin, (although Flannery O’Connor used it famously, for a title of her short stories). Essentially, he proposed in his evolutionary theology that regardless of the path chosen, (he focused on science and religion), if people ultimately strive for truth and love, their paths will inevitably intersect and together be united in God, in Love, or as Teilhard calls it, “the Omega Point”. It is also why I am shifting from a just a horizontal perspective to include a vertical one. While still pushing the boundaries of reality by walking on water where we all can learn a new sense of balance, I also offer, simultaneously, that we push the boundaries “upward” as well, in defiance of the weight that human constrictions have unreasonably held upon those of us who are unsatisfied with the status quo, and have kept us from “rising” and evolving beyond traditional limits. Both add a perspective that no one can truly appreciate or even see unless they’ve made the effort…and I mean that as clearly and plainly as possible, not in a judgmental way…but a stating the obvious kind of way. This is one vantage point that cannot be faked, forged, declared, bought or appropriated regardless of the kind worldly power you think you have. From my faith (and I would heartfully acknowledge other faiths as well) it is a physical, mental and spiritual journey initiated and facilitated by an omnipotent God. For me, a Christian, I feel I have the added benefit of the gift of grace offered freely to anyone who is willing to embrace the sacrifice of Christ, and not in the “I accept him as my savior” kind of way and then live life according to whatever rules serve you specifically, but because you live according to the rules laid out by Jesus during his fairly short ministry otherwise its all just noise. It isn’t for the faint of heart either, it takes hope, faith, endurance and the belief that we can’t fail, because God won’t allow it…it requires all the requisites of any great physical challenge but also the same requisites of love to move us forward to the place Teilhard speaks of. It demands the suspension of human conventions and also demands relinquishing our personal will for the will of the most powerful force of in the universe…Love. I also think there is a point along the journey, where we become less myopic about our own journeys and look up and around to see that we are not alone, that there are others who have also embraced the rising and will walk with us forward. I am, in particular, happy about this because I’ve felt alone too long, and I really need support and encouragement when moments of darkness and past patterns sneak past my defenses and impede my progress. For those who’ve shown up for me, I am forever grateful and you have my unequivocal love. The road is open, the promises made are real, the future is full of hope.
That doesn’t mean that moving forward is easy peasy. There are trials now, and trials ahead. Darkness abhors the light, and we all must commit to shining ours brightly. Even today, when I think about “rising” I am faced with how our beautiful planet is struggling. Here where I live, we are in an air quality alert because of the wild fires up in Canada and in the Boundary Waters in Northern Minnesota. The amount of haze and fog and “burnt” smell is clear evidence that we are not taking care of our beautiful planet, the only means by which human beings have a chance of evolution and survival. If our planet dies…so do we. There is much work to do and it won’t be easy. We can, however, with the power of love, unite together and do what is necessary to continue to rise and converge..
