Tuesday, August 26, 2008

a brief anecdote about how I am living the spiritual life bit by bit as a process

Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you.
--Jesus

I’m reading a commentary by Joan Chittister on the Rule of Benedict. At one point, she quotes from the Tao Te Ching, the Chinese Book of the Way: “Do your work, then step back. The only path to serenity.” I’m stressed and depressed for several reasons. Some of it has to do with work at the beginning of the semester, but I won’t get into details. I took Elea to sit by the red canoe on the bank of the lake today for our rock prayers. No miracles happened. But I’m breathing more calmly.

--Paul Corrigan


6 comments:

living stones said...

Paul, I'm glad you have a red canoe on the bank of a lake to sit by. We all need one of those. I am also a bit depressed, mostly because I'm not in school--unless preschool counts--and I am unable to be content with the present. But thanks for sharing your story, and thank God this is a process. I probably need to spend more time with my own red canoe.

living stones said...

Paul, I deeply appreciate your honesty in this brief anecdote. Jesus's words, "Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you," have often been a comfort and a support to me when I've been stressed and depressed--and able to slow down enough to remember them. Thanks for reminding me of them today. Also, it is good to see the spiritual life working--bit by bit, breath by calmer breath.--Anna

RC said...

Paul, thank you for sharing these Chinese words of wisdom: “Do your work, then step back. The only path to serenity.” This is definitely needed reminder for me right now in my work. I am encouraged and refreshed by your sharing with us.
--RC

living stones said...

Thank you Paul for the encouragement of stepping back! It's important. :)
Jen

Unknown said...

Were this Lectio, my nugget would be "do your work!" Probably because I'm falling behind now that I'm reintegrated into school. But to be serious, that was a great quote -- a very wise way to find peace of mind.

Thanks

Sarah said...

Thank you, Paul, for your openness--this whole, rich collection of spiritual journey posts melded well with yours--because, though spiritual journeys seem to fit together into wholeness as we look back on them, when we're in the present of them, they often feel fragmented, broken. So thank you for your picture of the fragmented and broken coming together in a moment of peace.

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