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| Saturday, October 13, 2007 |
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The Hidden Wholeness
By webmaster @ 7:00 AM :: 270 Views ::
2 Comments :: Nina Frost
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Almost every week I find myself thinking about a wonderful Quaker concept, that of “way opening.”
It’s part of how Quakers practice discernment, as in, how do you know if you are supposed to do something? How can you tell, i.e., discern? If left to my own devices, and what I perceive (falsely) as my own, lonely, frantic effort, well… discernment is all about effort and thinking, and hard work, and angst.
While our efforts to check out a certain path are certainly important, we should not neglect “way opening,” which refers to those times when you push just a little and whoosh, the door opens, and then some. Or people materialize to help, suggest, connect your dots. Sometimes the open way only takes you to the next level in the figuring-out process, but that’s an important step nonetheless.
As author Parker Palmer has pointed out, the Quaker idea of “way closing,” can be equally valuable. (See his wonderful book, "Let Your Life Speak.") Sometimes clarity and direction flow directly from the door slammed in our face, the efforts that bear no fruit, the relationship that dies. While not pleasant, these moments, seen over a lifetime, can point the way as well as the moments we are received and urged forward. Closing and opening: Both potent signals and tools; are we aware of how they may be operating this week, this month? They are the things that happen despite our efforts; they are somehow larger constructs. We are not the only author here.
Which makes me think of another wonderful phrase, Thomas Merton’s “hidden wholeness.” He was a contemplative who struggled with many pulls, many identities, yet he wrote eloquently about what he felt to be the cohesive pattern that his life held, its hidden wholeness.
Putting these ideas together on this stray October day, can you look at both the closings and openings in your life and see a hidden wholeness? An unseen hand? Maybe not sheer clarity, but do you detect a hint of a pattern, a touch of grace? |
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| Comments |
 By
ahuffman @
Saturday, October 13, 2007 10:55 AM
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I love this column. How often in life did I think that struggle and difficulty pointed the way? Nina has helped me get "in the flow" and to recognize those "whooses."
AH
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By
Bflood27 @
Sunday, October 14, 2007 10:56 AM
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At the ripe old age of 27 lol, I can already see where God has closed a door, but opened a window to a bigger blessing than what was ever behind the door in the first place. We push, and pull, and fight so hard for things that in the end are not any benefit to us. God can see it , we cannot. Thanks Nina for another amazing post.
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Welcome to MarbleTalks, a weblog published by the ministers and staff of Marble Collegiate Church. If you're unfamiliar with blogs, this short primer will help get you up to speed.
What is a Blog?
MarbleTalks provides a forum for each of our ministers and various staff members to share their thoughts, questions, and experiences with our faith community. Contributors to the blog will use a wide variety of sources for inspiration, and may share those sources when possible. Blogs are built around the active participation of their readers, and will commonly encourage you to take action in your life and the world around you.
Publishing Schedule:
| Sun. |
Dr. Caliandro |
| Mon. |
Sister Carol Perry |
| Tues. |
Dr. Lutz |
| Wed. |
Rev. Funderburke |
| Thur. |
Rev. Jordan |
| Thur. |
Dr. Ruge |
| Fri. |
Rev. Lewicki |
| Sat. |
Nina Frost |
| Sat. |
Dr. Killinger |
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New articles will go up every day, and we hope you'll check in regularly. The seven most recent posts are displayed on this main page. Each article contains a short description and a link to read the full text. If you'd like to go back and read previous entries you missed, click on the "Categories" link at the top of the page and then select the author you're interested in. We don't delete old articles, so you'll be able to come back anytime and re-read the ones that speak to you in significant ways.
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