Читать книгу Toward a Deeper Meditation - John Van Auken - Страница 9

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Sabbath: The Intermission

As scientists look out into our universe, they see signs that cosmic life exploded out of a central, silent point in space. It is spreading out infinitely, in all manner of excitement and expression. According to ancient religions and myths, this expanding life explosion will, at some magic moment, turn back into itself. And stillness will reign again. Only for a time, because it will repeat the cycle, like the exhaling and inhaling of the Great Spirit of the Cosmos.

This is seen as the rhythm of life, and it is reflected in our little lives: we wake from the slumber of night, are active in the light of the day, then return to sleep—only to awake and do it all over again! It is the way and rhythm of life.

The contact point throughout all of this living and dying, waking and sleeping, is the silent, infinite womb from which Life always springs forth and to which it returns again and again. It is the place of original silence and stillness—the womb of God.

The essence of the commandment to keep holy the Sabbath is not simply about a day of the week but the intermission from life, from activity and self-consciousness. Sabbath literally means “intermission.” The archangel Michael’s secret name is Sabbathiel, meaning “Lord of the Intermission.” Cayce’s readings call Michael the “Lord of the Way.” The intermission—the place and moment of stillness from which all life springs forth and to which it returns—is “the Way.” And it is always there for us to touch, to experience.

The Taoist teacher Lü-tsu taught that the true way is action that leads to non-action. He said moments in non-action are rejuvenating moments in the “Elixir of Life,” the essence and source of all life, and therefore “the true energy of the transcendent great One.” He taught that lifetimes of karma are dissolved in just a few moments in this silent stillness.

Keeping holy the Sabbath is budgeting time for an intentional intermission from life, self-seeking, and self-consciousness. Meditation is a way to reconnect with and abide in this mystical place of the origin and destiny of all life.

As Cayce instructed in one of his psychic readings: “This is not for Sunday or for the Sabbath or for the new moon, or for some periods when there may be the turning away for the moment; for it is TODAY—‘if ye will hear my voice’—always, ever!” (615-1)

Each cycle of day and night is a reflection of the whole life cycle, in the great macrocosm and in the little microcosm of one’s own life. Each day, a bit of time should be set aside for time in the silence, because in that silence is spiritual nourishment, mental enlightenment, and physical rejuvenation. The body and mind need nourishment and exercise each day, as does the soul and the spirit, though few ever think of these needs. Few activities bring more contentment than time set aside for the nourishment that comes from sitting or lying in the silence.

Now many would say that this type of nourishment can come from reading, reflecting, praying, or walking in a pleasant environment, but none of these compares to time spent in deep attunement to the source of one’s life, the place from which all life sprang forth and to which all life will ultimately return.

The Trinity concept gives us an insight into the aspects of God and the phases of our relation to Him/Her. First, there is the parent, Mother-Father God; then there is the birth of the child, Son-Daughter of God; then there is the overarching Holy Spirit that brings all into oneness. Ultimately, there is only oneness, and we are, at our highest level of life, a part of that One.

Jesus shared with the woman at the well that the time for worshipping at her well or at his temple in Jerusalem was over. The time had come when the true worshippers of God would worship in spirit, for God is a Spirit and seeks our spirit in communion during the intermission from self-driven activity. Moments, however brief, in the stillness beyond activity, beyond self, bring us a peace and contentment that cannot be experienced any other way.

We need to budget time for an intermission of silent, centered, stillness with the source and destiny of life.