Life is indescribably complex. Still, many of us look to spiritual life for comfort and reassurance. In the face of all the complicated systems of our lives, we still expect spiritual life to be clear.
Some of us want to know, understand, and comprehend. Some of us believe spiritual life is supposed to be straightforward and self-explanatory. We want someone or something to answer our questions, give us directions. Where is the app to show us the way? We hope to get past the confusion, the sense there is something more to unscramble. We want the feeling we have solved, or are solving, the puzzle.
Spiritual life is not a puzzle to be solved.
Our task is not to find the final answer, to make everything clear and simple. We are on a voyage of exploration and discovery, not a race to arrive at the end.
The complexity of life is beyond our ability to see it all, much less understand it all. Spiritual life is no different.
How do we practice complexity?
We develop spiritual practices to help open ourselves to the Sacred truths around us. People who practice regular prayer or reading, acts of service or justice, are not working to improve. Spiritual practices are not intended to help us become better at practicing them.
Spiritual practices are designed to help us appreciate the spiritual life in us and the people around us.
We practice recognizing the wonder of complexity in the world, and we awaken to its lessons. Complex spiritual life draws us into vibrant, living relationships. We learn to value the intricate and comprehensive spiritual reality of the world.
Spiritual complexity fills us with everyday wonder.
How will we practice complexity today?
Where is there room for complexity in your life this week?
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