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Zen

Henri Nouwen, via Len Hjalmarson at Resonate Soapbox:

“Someone who is filled with ideas, concepts, opinions and convictions cannot show hospitality. There is no inner space to listen, no openness to discover the gift of the other. It is not difficult to see that those who “know it all” can kill a conversation. Poverty of mind as a missional stance is a growing willingness to recognize the vast mystery of life.

“To prepare ourselves for mission we have to maintain an articulate not knowing, a docta ignorantia, a learned ignorance. This is very difficult to accept for people whose whole attitude is toward mastering and controlling the world. We all want to be educated so we can make things work according to our own need. But training for mission is training not to master God but to be formed by Him.”

I find myself cultivating an inner stillness lately when I'm with others - trying very hard to listen - not only to what is said but to what isn't said, to hear with my whole being.  I'm not sure how this came about but I think it's something that's been developing for a long time. Getting knocked on your butt a few times with the realization that you're not so smart after all - well, that certainly helps the process along.

It takes great effort to truly be in the moment - fully and completely and wholly immersed in this present experience and revelation of God. Once this practice is cultivated, and nurtured, and has become a way of life, however, it becomes very difficult to step outside of it, to break free from the clarity of this great peace and plunge headlong once more into the riotous and calamitous frenzy that is the world.

Posted on May 19, 2008 by Registered Commenter[rhymes with kerouac] | Comments4 Comments

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Reader Comments (4)

We are filled with ideas. Sometimes good and sometimes not so good. The creative drive comes of course from the One who created us. That ine is God. Sometimes, however, we get caught in deception by the deceiver who is the father of all lies and we get "knocked on our butt" This is of couse redirection from Him who first Loved us.

LOVE LIKE HIM,
G.B.U.,
Michael <>< <>< <><
May 19, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterMichael
wow, i posted about the same book earlier this week http://xfacta.blogspot.com/2008/05/anamrae-manifesto.html
it's an old book but full of timeless wisdom
May 20, 2008 | Unregistered Commenterkel
Thank you, this is so similar to the conversation that we are having - what an ah-ha experience to not be alone in this very thing. Beautiful.
May 20, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterHeidiRenee
Michael - Well said, sir. Well said.

kel - Another book for my 'Must Read' list...

HeidiRenee - Those moments are kind of wild and wonderful, aren't they?
May 22, 2008 | Registered Commenter[rhymes with kerouac]

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