Seven Days Sitting on a Rock

 

     Deep contemplation is a challenge when our lives are filled with distractions. To sort through the competing interests of the many commitments we have is not easily accomplished when we feel like our lives are lived on a treadmill… constantly running and often running behind. Finding and visiting a place of peace and quiet when we get overwhelmed is critical to maintaining our well-being, physically, spiritually, and emotionally. 

     

     So many of us take vacations from frantic lives only to find even more frantic recreation and recovery awaiting us as our friends and family, our fellow vacationers, rush through their limited and meager time of escape from the business of life. To change this pattern of spiritual self-abuse we must find our quiet place where we can re-discover our peace of mind with connections to nature, people, the creator, and ultimately our best selves. 

     

     Perspective can be gained only when we glimpse the bigger picture, rising above the tangled web of daily life to see our place in the interconnected web of all existence of which we are a part. It is then, when we are rested and at peace, that the anxieties of overcommitted lives can be quelled and the relationships we cherish can be understood and enjoyed.

     

     There is a rock that I visit as often as I can. It waits patiently for me even when I take too long getting back from the frenzy that is my life. On it is dappled sunshine, around it is the living forest, beneath it is the water that sustains, and in it is the answer. This rock is real- it is also a metaphor.

     

     Our principles are that rock too, guiding us, lighting our way, giving us refreshment and sustenance as we move through the world together and individually.  

     

     Anthony’s Creek is between the Globe and Wilson’s Creek. There are waterfalls on the creek but the most beautiful falls are actually on the other side of the road where a tiny un-named feeder cascades down the mountain. It depends on which way you look! It is a good place think about how much my perspective has changed. 

​

     Not too long ago I was convinced that most people are idiots and my behavior toward them reflected that disdain. But, on my rock there isn’t room for that foolishness, the truth is that most people are amazing, with aspirations, talents and lives of great value. Though there are those who struggle to find their way, it is neither my place to judge harshly, nor to attack their dignity. If I am to be given the opportunity to live my life on my terms then I must afford the same respect to others. My obligation is to affirm and promote their intrinsic value.

     Some days my rock is on Route 321 at the overlook about 3 miles south of Blowing Rock. The view is expansive with rows of the Blue Ridge marching into the distance. 

​

     When life seems unfair, or I am struggling to keep peace in my relationships, I am reminded that my birthright is to pursue happiness, not to achieve it. My own struggle to “live the dream” is not more important than any other person’s effort, it is only fair that I afford others justice, equity and compassion. I believe that we are all in this together- like it or not. Our only hope is that we treat others with love. 

 

     The Brown Mountain Overlook on route 181 North of Morganton is an inspiring location to remember that justice is achieved when the best interests of all parties in conflict receive fair consideration. It is realizing that like the view which goes both ways into the Upper Creek gorge to the East and into the Linville Gorge area to the West, Justice involves balancing multiple interests. 

​

     Equity is at least partly the result of justice and the result of our decisions about how we will behave toward others. If I deal fairly with others I will have acquitted my obligation to promote equity. This also applies to the church and the broader community. Our inspired leadership in the world will improve the quality of life for all. 

​

     The practice of compassion is a critical aspect of equitable coexistence where those who fail or struggle are not treated as less than, but are afforded our encouragement as fellow travelers in a complicated world. Punishing thoughts and actions exacerbate the “us and them” syndrome which then drive us apart. 

 

     In the winter, spring and fall I love to go fishing on Wilson Creek, but one of the best things to do there is to sit on any of the many giant rocks in the gorge near the stream where the rocks have been shaped by the power of water into fantastic variety. The rock has no choice, the water is simply too powerful- at the same time the water is guided by the rocks. There is harmony between the rocks and the water- for me it is a manifestation of the creator.

​

      We are bound to each other and the creator in the same way- we must accept that we shape each other, and given encouragement our lives are shaped by our spiritual growth. We can do no less than encourage you on your path.

​

     In Far Northern Maine there is a river that for me is home. Amid the flow is a rock upon which I have pondered many times. It is where I discovered my truth. It is always there for me.

 

     Truth, though immutable, is perceived through the lens of personal experience. The pursuit of truth is core to my spiritual path. Both the challenge and the opportunity is to share our efforts to come to truth in a manner that acknowledges that each of us will understand the truth differently. As a result, meaning, a by-product of truth will be defined by each of us in our own way. 

​

     The Moose River Region of Northwestern Maine is a land of Mountains, forests and waters. The Attean Overlook is a fantastic vista to gain perspective.

​

     There was a time several years ago when conflict arose over some unfortunate communications at church initiated by an individual that necessitated action by an oversight committee to which I initially agreed. It would have meant expulsion of that person, but there were extenuating circumstances. That man was suffering from depression and suicidal thoughts that had bearing on the irrational and threatening phone calls he made. He was acting out and his behavior was not acceptable, but expulsion from the group could have been devastating to his well-being.

 

     After consulting the National Suicide Hotline, I concluded that I could no longer support what had been a unanimous, and universally painful decision and used the right of conscience to rescind my vote and worked with the committee to reverse our decision using the democratic process. 

​

     The entire affair was difficult but my Principles helped me to have a positive effect on a bad situation. It is hard to go against the flow as a matter of conscience with the fear of blow-back or outright rejection looming over us, but principle and reason help us to find deeper truth and live more balanced lives. 

​

     There is a big rock in Northern Maine called Mount Katahdin from which one can see for great distances in all directions. The view seems all encompassing as does the idea of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all. 

​

     Our opportunity is to become a force for the promotion of world community. We will become the “World community” we hope for only with peace, liberty, and justice for all. I believe that realizing this vision for humanity will be the result of living our principles. 

​

     The Earth is a tiny planet in a small solar system in an average galaxy that is just a speck in something very much larger. We all sit here on this rock we call home wondering what else is out there. The enormity of what we don’t know dwarfs what we do know. 

​

     We each draw our own conclusions about the nature of the universe, where we came from and where we are going. The common thread is that we are a part of the interconnected web of all existence. 

     It gives me a sense of wonder and awe to consider the possibilities. The journey is the ride of a lifetime for every one of us and it is up to all of us to extend the grasp of our understanding as we grapple with the big picture questions.