The Value of the Negative

But when the hope is to know God inclusively—to realize the divine Ground in the world as well as in the soul, temptations and distractions must not be avoided, but submitted to and used as opportunities for advance; there must be no suppression of outward-turning activities, but a transformation of them so that they become sacramental.... there is need of unsleeping awareness.

    --- Perennial Philosophy, Aldous Huxley

Every so often I re-read this wonderful book. Almost every page speaks volumes to me, and each time something else grabs my attention. This week, the above quote grabbed me. I have been pondering it. This morning, as I lay in bed praying, a profound joy and gratitude for my many and varied life experiences swept through me, and I was tearful.

I was joyfully thankful for all of them! They wove themselves together to form the present me. Each light and shadow held a precious place in my unfolding awakening. Each was sacred, a Divine Gift.

Jesus showed us humanness and Divinity interwoven. He bled, he cried. He was also imbued with complete connection to God. His ground of being was rooted in God here with us, and God transcendent.  Our bodies too are of this earth. We bleed and cry. Our souls are of Spirit. We came to this earthly plane to learn, develop, cherish, live, love and spiritually awaken.

Instead of fighting with the shadows, it seems to me, we would do well to use them for our advancement. My old days of Aikido come to mind. We would say to our partner, "Thank you for testing me." I endeavor to say this to the twists and turns of my life.  In Aikido, we would help the attacker go in the direction they were headed, using their energy coming at us to lead them into a fall. Imagine doing this with the shadows seemingly attacking us. Take a moment and visualize it. 

Everything becomes an opportunity for spiritual growth. Thank You, God, for every moment of my life, every single moment. Thank you for showing me, as You did Joseph - they meant it for evil, but God meant it for good. I praiseYou, God. Amen!