A quotation from “The way of Paradox”
March 5, 2009
“The Christian religion is a religion of the flesh. The human body is not merely a tiresome burden which we have to carry, a dark, heavy prison in which a radiant spiritual soul is locked up as punishment until it gains release in death. It has a central part to play in our journey to God. Until we have experienced its tug, its weight and resistance, there is no spiritual life possible for us. There are lessons for us to learn, experiences for us to undergo, which can come to us only through the body. ”
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This quotation is take from the Book “The way of Paradox: Spiritual life as taught by Meister Eckhart” Written by Cyprian Smith OSB
This posting was in response to a post seen at “Art of the Spirit” on Hildergard of Bingen: Illness and creative purpose. I would encourage you to read this and view the video by Matthew Fox.
March 6, 2009 at 11:16 pm
Andrew,
Thanks for the mention. What a powerful quote. You feel the heaviness of the physical form bearing down on you while reading it! I have to take issue with the word punishment, though. I can’t believe our bodies are a punishment. They are a gift to show us the way and help us learn. Even “under the weight and resistance” of the body, there is joy and pleasure. We have to remember that the way in which we perceive things effects how they occur. If see see the body as a punishment, it will comply.
I’ll need to get a copy of this book too! I’m currently reading “Passion for Creation: The Earth-Honoring Spirituality of Meister Eckhart”. Nice coincidence!
March 9, 2009 at 5:12 pm
My best friend is a hospice chaplain. He knows and experiences what is said in your post all the time. I cherish his sharing of his experiences with dying people. I know what was said here is true. Thanks for this post.
March 11, 2009 at 8:34 pm
Don and Sybil
Thanks for the comments.
Sybil, the writer agrees that our bodies are “not merely” a “punishment”.
Don, God’s grace is real, especially at times suffering and death.
Be blessed