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It feels like we have spent our\u00a0time paddling around in the shallow waters for too long.<\/p>\n
It is as if, as the end of summer draws into view, we have spent all our time on the beach. The sun is warm and the breeze is pleasant, but the deep water calls to us. We were made for more than sitting on the sand. The greater depths of the water\u00a0connect to the greater depths within us.<\/p>\n
Are we ready to answer the call to explore the greater depths?<\/p>\n
The challenges of going deeper may intimidate us. Greater depths could cause us to lose control, to go beyond where we are comfortable. There are things in the deeper waters we do not want to face directly. Are\u00a0we strong enough or well enough prepared?<\/p>\n
Standing on the shore we cannot see where exploring the greater depths will take\u00a0us. What will happen if they lead us further than we can handle?<\/p>\n
What is it about greater depths which makes us fear\u00a0going further?<\/p>\n
Even though\u00a0we are anxious or intimidated, we cannot look away. The power of the depths captures our attention and draws us toward the water. We cannot look away. Our imaginations wonder about all the places we might go.<\/p>\n
Spiritual life is like the ocean<\/a><\/strong>. It may be pleasant to spend time\u00a0in the sun on the beach. Our imagination\u00a0is captured by the greater depths.<\/p>\n We may be comfortable on the sand. The greater depths call us to something more.<\/p>\n What would it be like to respond to the call and explore the greater depths of spiritual life?<\/p>\n Being ready to explore the greater depths is more than just deciding to jump in and start.<\/p>\n There is effort between the boy on shore looking out over the ocean and starting. We want to be prepared to take on something which intimidates us, which we find challenging. It can be helpful to work with someone who can guide us and show us\u00a0how to get ready.<\/p>\n Like people preparing to set off out to sea, we train to deal with the greater spiritual depths.<\/p>\n Some people practice traditional spiritual disciplines to become more open\u00a0to depth. They may follow\u00a0prayer practices, reflective reading, meditation, or periods of stillness. There are also more active practices like\u00a0feeding hungry people or expanding social justice. These practices often have immediate\u00a0benefits as well as preparing us for something more.<\/p>\n Many of these disciplines can be interpreted and practiced in more contemporary ways. Some of us visit monasteries or volunteer for specific programs. Other people regularly spend time in nature or provide meals for people living on the street. Each of us applies the disciplines we follow in the unique ways which give us meaning.<\/p>\n As we practice our disciplines over time, many of us find ourselves drawn to something deeper. We may\u00a0begin to find a discipline we have enjoyed in the past begins to feel dry or routine. Some people may feel guilty or ashamed because they are not able to sustain a dedicated practice.<\/p>\n In fact, the spiritual disciplines we practice are not ends in themselves. As with physical exercise, spiritual practices help prepare us for greater depths.<\/p>\n Most of us\u00a0do not run or lift weights to become the greatest runners or weight lifters. Our practices are means to an end, steps which prepare us for something more.<\/p>\n The spiritual disciplines we practice are not sacred in themselves. It is not as if repeating a practice so many times a day, every day, earns us greater spiritual life. We find the practices which are ways for us to take time and we become more open to what draws us.<\/p>\n As for me, the practices which help draw me toward the greater depths involve stillness.<\/p>\n Pauses to listen to stillness are reminders of what draws me into spiritual life. Taking a deep breath, setting aside time for reflection and contemplation, are steps forward. It is as if I need to stop and remember what is important and why I am doing this.<\/p>\n Being busy tends to pull me out of myself and into focusing on goals and objectives. The practices in which I\u00a0stop and look out toward\u00a0the greater depth help restore me to myself.<\/p>\n It is easy for us to get caught up in the smallest pictures. We become so concentrated on details and minutiae we lose sight of the far horizon. It is easy for us to strain at a grain of sand and forget about the ocean.<\/p>\n Our lives get absorbed by How? and When? rather than Why?<\/p>\n I prepare for the greater depths by spending time in stillness. Part of the practices which mean the most to me is not allowing my own thoughts and feelings to distract me.<\/p>\n While we practice the greater depths we intentionally allow smaller concerns to pass. Our universe does not revolve around us. There are greater, deeper powers at work.<\/p>\n Recognizing the greater depths around, and within, me is\u00a0an essential part of spiritual life.<\/p>\n Life is too short to spend it stuck in the shallows. The point and meaning of our lives is in the greater depths.<\/p>\n We need to schedule time for ourselves to look out over the ocean. We do not want to spend the entire summer sitting on the beach without ever looking out.<\/p>\n Spiritual life calls to us, drawing us toward the greater depths. It is fine to sit in the sun reading a good book, but that is only a taste. We smell the ocean and enjoy the warmth of the sun, but there is more.<\/p>\n There are greater depths in us which we have yet to explore.<\/p>\n When do you stop and look out toward the greater depths?<\/p>\n What is drawing us to go deeper this week?<\/p>\n [Image by\u00a0dolbinator1000<\/a><\/strong>]<\/p>\n Greg Richardson<\/strong>\u00a0is a spiritual life mentor and leadership coach in Southern California.\u00a0He<\/span>\u00a0is a recovering attorney and university professor, and<\/span>\u00a0a lay Oblate with New Camaldoli Hermitage near Big Sur, California. Greg\u2019s website is\u00a0StrategicMonk.com<\/a><\/span>, and his email address is\u00a0StrategicMonk@gmail.com<\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Looking Toward Greater Depths It feels like we have spent our\u00a0time paddling around in the shallow waters for too long. It is as if, as the end of summer draws into view, we have spent all our time on the beach. The sun is warm and the breeze is pleasant, but the deep water calls […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2924,"featured_media":13040,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13020","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-spiritual-practices"],"yoast_head":"\nGetting Ready to Explore\u00a0the Greater Depths<\/strong><\/h4>\n
How We Prepare for the Greater Depths<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Where Do We Find\u00a0Our Greater Depths?<\/strong><\/h4>\n