Mid-week Inspiration,                                                 

Many people believe we are simply human beings, that we have no spiritual depth and breadth, we are just compost for the earth.  Some believe we are human beings until we die and then if we have embraced the proper God (suggesting there actually might be a choice) then we will be given a place in some kingdom somewhere out there.  If this truly is your perspective then admittedly I would appear to be coming from a far horizon indeed.

It is so easy to be critical of natural human urges and desires when truly we are here to celebrate them consciously.  As Teilhard de Chardin said, “The greatest Glory of God is man, fully human, fully alive.”  The alive part is where most of us get hung up, to be alive we must be present with our desires and passions, not in denial of them.

There is a wonderful story of two monks of an order that is sworn to have no physical contact with women.  They are hiking through the mountains back to their monastery when they come to a strong river; there is a beautiful young woman stranded on the river bank unable to cross.  Much to the surprise of the younger monk the older one offers to carry the woman across the river. 

Finally many hours and miles later the younger monk reproaches the older one with strong words, “You have broken our covenant and touched a woman!”  the older monk responds, “I carried her across the river and put her down, you after all these hours and miles are still carrying her.”

Often in our desire to be spiritual we rail upon ourselves for being human; for having feelings, desires and passions.  Often we push them down; we hide them and deny to ourselves we could possibly feel that way.  Often in our denial we create illness, and suffering.

We somehow think it is wrong to be human yet that is the great purpose of life.  We are here to celebrate our divinity through the joy of human interaction.  We are here to give life, and love and happiness.  We are here to share our creativity, warmth and passion. 

There is only one purpose for our human existence and that is to celebrate with joy and gladness the fullness of our sacred being.  There is only one thing to learn and that is how to celebrate from the very core of our being. There is only one thing to teach anyone and that is who we are; not all we have nor what we know.