When we begin to feel blue or dissatisfied, it is often a sign of the need to dig deeper, taking time for some introspection. We live in a very appearance-oriented, externally focused world, so it makes sense that we place a lot of value on how our lives look, sometimes to the detriment of noticing how our lives really feel. It’s easy to get caught up in examining our actions instead of really deeply examining ourselves. This can be deceiving because our actions may be very spiritual. We meditate, are nice to people, we take care of ourselves and others, yet, we may not be penetrating to the issues below the surface. It’s as if we’ve washed and shined the surface of our car without taking the time to check under the hood. We may appear to be in great shape, but if we aren’t engaging in the deep, inner work of self-examination, the chances are good that we are not deeply aware of the real substance of our lives. Without the substance that comes from looking at ourselves deeply, and working through the difficult things we find, our spiritual lives can start to feel hollow or shallow, as if there’s nothing at the center holding it all together. When we get too caught up in what we are doing and lose track of our core, we sometimes begin to feel dissociated, as if we are not fully awake, alive, and grounded. This is a sure sign that it’s time to engage in the hard work of going deep within to rediscover the foundation of our lives. The peace that comes with meditation and spiritual practice is an essential part of the whole picture of our developing faith, but it serves us best in conjunction with the less settling work of digging around beneath the surface to see what needs to be healed or released. It is then that our actions are more than just an attempt to keep everything in control, looking settled on the surface. When our actions are fueled by the energy of a life in transformation, they become powerful expressions of courage that further inspire our inner work and faith development.
Heart to Heart,
Rev. Addae