A number of my readers have asked for further elucidation on the spiritual term "Kenosis. To assist, I have received permission from the director of the Episcopal House of Prayer to republish his reflections on the event. -- Beryl
A reflection from the
Kenosis retreat, 2013 from Ward Bauman
"True knowledge of
God is that which is known by unknowing." (Cloud of
Unknowing)
One of the primary
practices of all spiritual work is detachment, the learned behavior of
"letting go" and not clinging. This is primarily true of wisdom, that
is, spiritual knowledge.
The great paradox is
that we cannot find it by grasping it. In other words, going to another
conference, reading another book, or hearing another teaching will not ultimately
be the knowledge that we seek and need.
This is perhaps one of
the hardest lessons of the spiritual life. We in the West do not get it. It is
so antithetical to everything we've learned. But this is core to coming to
spiritual truth. It also points to the heart of our spiritual malady,
pride. True wisdom comes only through true humility. Here the crack in our
armory creates an entrance for the divine light.
Jesus said: "Blessed
are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
This is the beginning and foundation to all spiritual work.
The Chinese philosopher,
Chuang-tzu said:
Consider a window; it is
just
a hole in the wall, but
because of it
the whole room is filled
with light.
Thus, when the mind is
open
and free of its own
thoughts,
life unfolds
effortlessly,
and the whole world is
filled with light.
(The Second Book of the
Tao, Stephen Mitchell)
When our hearts are open
and free of constructs, we become channels for spiritual light. When we are
unburdened with cumbersome and restricting ideas, something new can emerge.
When we are emptied of self-focus, we can begin to see the bigger picture.
This, then, becomes the practice of prayer; in self-emptying we become free and
receptive for "true knowledge."
