Spirituality and Mysticism: Who Are Our Spiritual Teachers

Friday, March 03, 2006

Who Are Our Spiritual Teachers

Many of us have a tendency to only want to be in the company of those who support us and reassure our sense of worth, and though this is a good thing, we should not become dependent upon pleasing words about ourselves.

It is a fact that the Saints and many teachers of the spiritual life help us to understand that it is our enemies who will be our greatest teachers on our spiritual journey. This does not mean we must become doormats and allow others to trample upon us, but it is a good indication of our own spiritual compass. If we become upset or easily offended at the slightest unkind remark, and then retaliate in kind what then does this lead us to assume about ourselves? Do we look for validation only from our peers and not God, if so then we are doomed to unhappiness. As that wonderful young girl St. Bernadette teaches us, "What will be the crown of those who, humble within and humiliated without, have imitated the humility of our Savior in all its fullness!" Was not our Lord also accused falsely by others, betrayed by a friend and his friendship denied by another of his Disciples? Why then do we think things should be different for us?

At the time of our attack we may not recognise the lessons to be learnt as our feelings become heated and words pour forth like an out of control torrent and it is only when the torrent has run its course that we stop and reflect on what we failed to learn and grasp. We see this expressed by St Vincent Pallotti, "Not the goods of the world, but God. Not riches, but God. Not honors, but God. Not distinction, but God. Not dignities, but God. Not advancement, but God. God always and in everything." This teaches us to place our trust in God alone and to be at peace within ourselves and with others even when we are under attack, for as St. Paul of the Cross wrote, "When you feel the assaults of passion and anger, then is the time to be silent as Jesus was silent in the midst of His ignominies and sufferings."

Even though we may gravitate towards those of a like mind, we must also be aware that our greatest lessons in the spiritual life lay not with our friends but with those who we perceive as our 'enemies'. Sure our friends will clap us on the back and fill our hearts with love and warmth but there is no challenge to the darker sides of our own nature when we only want to hear 'nice' things said about ourselves. That great Doctor of the Church teaches us when St. Francis de Sales said, "To be pleased at correction and reproofs shows that one loves the virtues which are contrary to those faults for which he is corrected and reproved. And, therefore, it is a great sign of advancement in perfection." It is always difficult to accept correction even more so when one is not at fault, but if we maintain our Focus on Jesus we then gain in wisdom when we can grow from adversity.

We must also not become confused in allowing others to treat us with malice for the lesson lay not in the false spirit of charity by accepting lies and distortions, as if they were good and right. What our enemies teach us is our own reactions to these insults, slanders and calumnies, for this brings out the worst in our own natures and makes us aware of the failings we need to correct within ourselves. In that if we pay an inordinate amount of time consumed by thoughts of what others think of us, where then is our focus? On God or people? It is when we have placed our need for validity in the hands of others that will bring us great pain and anguish as St. Gerard said, "Who except God can give you peace? Has the world ever been able to satisfy the heart?"

It is our enemies who are our greatest teachers, for they will bring forth every negative fault and our failings which reside in our soul. These enemies will also challenge us to go beyond our own resources and to call out to God, for the `Gifts' needed to overcome the self in our nature. It is to them we owe our thanks for helping us to face the unlovable within ourselves, and then with the Grace of God and our co-operation we are transformed into living Christ's, to reflect His Love and then to give this Love to those who are wounded……just like us. In order to do this we need to maintain a strong prayer life, for we are not the source of our own strength God is, as St. Ephraem teaches us, "Virtues are formed by prayer. Prayer preserves temperance. Prayer suppresses anger. Prayer prevents emotions of pride and envy. Prayer draws into the soul the Holy Spirit, and raises man to Heaven."

For an example when one looks at a pearl it only becomes a thing of beauty after it has been irritated, aggravated, and chafed to go beyond its original state, a mere speck of sand then becomes a thing of unique quality. This is what our enemies do to us and without them knowing it, they do this for us, we go beyond our original state, and reach for the higher qualities, to love with Christlike love. Our enemies face us with the ugliness we try to quell and more often refuse to recognise, the repugnant aspects of our own personality, and until we face and acknowledge this inner baseness then our walk in Truth will falter. It is this self revelation which leads us to depend on God, and to seek Him in all things. For we realise within ourselves, we are of no account, but through God & in God, we are most precious, and it is in asking that we receive that which we lack, the ability to love and to accept all with docility, meekness and humility, from the hand of God. As that most humble Saint Clare exhorts us to, "Go forth in peace, for you have followed the good road. Go forth without fear, for he who created you has made you holy, has always protected you, and loves you as a mother. Blessed be you, my God, for having created me." This is why how easily we react to unfavourable comments are our warnings that we are not spending enough time with God, for no matter what another speaks whether it be for you or against you...God knows the truth and that should suffice for all.

It is through this self discovery we also realise, that to someone we are their enemy…..