A friend recently called me after long and asked “How are you?” I was a bit tired at that moment, concerned about a few things happening around in life…So I ended up giving a 5min discourse perhaps, starting with “life is a full spectrum..There is x,y,z..but then it’s just as it is…There’s aliveness and joy, and gratitude…”
Father Richard Rohr, describes it in a much more profound way in this awakin reading, reflecting on what he learned from silence. You are going to get it with my amazing commentary to it, one paragraph at a time. :)
When I was a young man, I liked ideas and books quite a lot, and I still read a great deal. But each time I come back from a long hermitage retreat, I have no desire to read a book for the next few weeks or even months. For a while I know there is nothing in any book that is going to be better, more truthful, or more solid than what I have just experienced on the cellular, heart, and soul level.
Here, he is clearly reporting that there is some knowing which is way more crucial than intellectual learning, for having a life of well-being. It can not come from books, or even talking to others. It’s not some esoteric mystical thing, but it’s very natural to us. We just need to find it inside us through contemplative practices. :) That is why, I was surprised, when after my first meditation retreat, when my manager asked me “how was it,” I ended up telling him it was more valuable than 25 years of studies. Lol.
Father Richard continues,
If you asked me what it is I know, I would be hard pressed to tell you. All I know is that there is a deep “okayness” to life—despite all the contradictions—which has become even more evident in the silence. Even when much is terrible, seemingly contradictory, unjust, and inconsistent, somehow sadness and joy are able to coexist at the same time. The negative value of things no longer cancels out the positive, nor does the positive deny the negative.
I love it, that he says he’d be hard pressed to tell. Because it’s a place beyond thought and sensory knowings. You wouldn’t even know why or how you know what you know. It just comes to you, if you wait. It is that deep “okayness”.
That is what perhaps my state was, when trying to explain “how am I” to my friend. I love what he is saying “The negative value of things no longer cancels out the positive, nor does the positive deny the negative.” So beautiful, just the flow of life. It reminds me of Peace Pilgrim saying that challenges may come, and success may come, but unconcerned, you live in the fullness of centre-piece of your puzzle.
Then he goes on,
Whatever your personal calling or your delivery system for the world, it must proceed from a foundational “yes” to life. Your necessary “no” to injustice and all forms of un-love will actually become even clearer and more urgent in the silence, but now your work has a chance of being pure healing instead of impure anger and agenda.
A great point of reflection for those who do social work. In servicespace, we often say, how do we move from “Activism” to “heartvism”. :)
“How is Your Heart Doing,” by Omid Safi.
In many Muslim cultures, when you want to ask them how they’re doing, you ask: in Arabic, Kayf haal-ik? or, in Persian, Haal-e shomaa chetoreh? How is yourhaal?
What is this haal that you inquire about? It is the transient state of one’s heart. In reality, we ask, “How is your heart doing at this very moment, at this breath?” When I ask, “How are you?” that is really what I want to know.
I am not asking how many items are on your to-do list, nor asking how many items are in your inbox. I want to know how your heart is doing, at this very moment. Tell me. Tell me your heart is joyous, tell me your heart is aching, tell me your heart is sad, tell me your heart craves a human touch. Examine your own heart, explore your soul, and then tell me something about your heart and your soul.
Tell me you remember you are still a human being, not just a human doing. Tell me you’re more than just a machine, checking off items from your to-do list. Have that conversation, that glance, that touch. Be a healing conversation, one filled with grace and presence.
Put your hand on my arm, look me in the eye, and connect with me for one second. Tell me something about your heart, and awaken my heart. Help me remember that I too am a full and complete human being, a human being who also craves a human touch.
