Making the ordinary sacred.

Redefining Community

“Don't be too literal about community. Remember that your community includes all beings and objects in the universe. Don't be narrow in your view of who or what is in your community. Include animals, the things of nature, such as trees and plants, things and objects, and beings we have yet to encounter in the universe. Remember the paradox: Local community works best when you are mindful of the earth and cosmic community, and vice versa.”

Thomas Moore (A Religion of One's Own)

Thomas Moore's new book, A Religion of One's Own, includes several lists of suggestions for deepening our spiritual life. The quote above is from one of those lists. In the seminar this weekend, he spoke about the split in our culture between the secular and the sacred; he sees this split as one of the reasons we have pushed our world to the brink.

These are my words: We've confined our understanding of the sacred to the one or two hours some of us spend in church or synagogue each week, and left it there. In doing so, we failed to honor the sacred in all things. We assumed that the earth contained an unlimited supply of resources and those resources were meant for us. Whoever got to them first, or had the most money to buy them, could claim the lion's share, and we could use whatever means necessary to do that, including war. Dr. Moore spoke about looking with new eyes to see the life in all things; to consider the spirit that resides within trees, for instance, and not just whether they will look pretty in our yard. To honor the magic connecting all life.

When we bring a spiritual perspective to everyday happenings, they become just as sacred as taking communion on Sunday, or reading from the Torah or the Koran. One way of deepening and extending our spirituality, then, is simply to change the way we view life in general. When we look for deeper meanings and connections, we bring soul into play, and enliven the smallest encounters and ordinary activities of living. Our community expands to include all.

                                                    In the Spirit,

                                                         Jane