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Pastor's Pen
Change
An old friend once told me that the universe nothing but pure change. I have
never fully understood this, but I find the idea intriguing. The constancy
of change is really both the good news and the bad news. For example: The
student went to the master and complained that his meditation had grown
stale and lifeless. The master told him, 'Don't worry, it will change.' The
next day he rushed to his master, flushed with excitement, and told him that
his meditation had transported him to the heights of ecstasy and
illumination. The master told him, 'Don't worry, it will change.'
The bottom line;
life is change. We can fight with it or take flight with it; but like
it or not, change is here to stay.
Some philosophies say that the existence of change points to the existence
of an unchanging background against which change takes place, much like the
sky across which the winds of change blow the clouds of experience. Seeking
a similar unchanging foundation or background within oneself is put forth as
a key to experiencing spiritual fulfillment. Clinging to that which is
constantly changing, like trying to hold back the tide, is certain to result
in unhappiness. I am not so sure that the existence of change indicates the
presence of a 'changeless' transcendent reality, but I do know that
millions
of people around the world find peace through practices that give them a
personal sense of this changelessness.
Other philosophies tell us that any semblance of solidity, certainty or
'thing-ness' is an illusion, that all of reality is interactive,
interdependent and constantly in a state of flux. These philosophies tell
us basing our thoughts, feelings and beliefs and behavior on an inherently
flawed model of reality (the existence of 'things') is certain to lead to
frustration and unhappiness. Rather than seeking refuge in a presumed
'changeless' reality, these philosophies tell us that the key to
fulfillment
is simply to accept things as they are…constantly changing. In other words,
go with the flow.
My personal take is that both these models can be useful tools in the effort
to achieve a life of balance. Philosophical debates about the ultimate
nature of reality (whatever that means) run the risk of mistaking the map
for the territory. Reality is greater than any theory or model that attempts
to describe or explain it. Reality is the system that supports a universe
where argument is even possible. Reality, like life, is what takes place
while we are busy making plans or arguing theories.
What about Truth? Truth (whatever that means) is not just an abstract set
of principles that describe the fundamental workings of the universe. Truth
is a clear and present acceptance and awareness of what is happening in my
life, right here and right now. Ernest Holmes, the founder of the Science of
Mind, tells us that the only sensible place to begin the journey of
enlightenment is where we are right now.
My personal sense is that theories about the fundamental nature of life are
at best crude approximations of whatever may or may not be going on 'out
there'. Like particle or wave models of the nature of light, theories about
life are best judged on their utility, how well they enable one to achieve
satisfaction and fulfillment. Sometimes I find it useful to focus on the
changing, at other times on the change-less. I suspect that ultimately
reality is both changing and unchanging while at the same time it is
neither.
Whatever the truth may be, I know that I am happiest when I have a sense of
navigating the exciting and uncertain seas of change with a compass built on
fundamental and seemingly unchanging principles that hold true in the face
of whatever life brings my way. This is the true gift of the Science of
Mind's set of proven principles for achieving happiness and fulfillment in
life. We may never understand the nature of Reality, but if we can move
towards a greater understanding of our humanly-divine nature, we will have
arrived at Truth.
With you every step of the way,
Rev. Patrick
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