Contemplative Corner #191 Andy Dapron reflects: As a contemplative practitioner for several years now, I can admit freely that, upon turning my gaze interiorly, I still find a good deal of clutter. I suppose this shouldn’t surprise me: the false, illusory selves that we think we are, with all their habits, processes, expectations, and reactions are built over our lifetimes. How audacious would I have to be to imagine it would take any less time than that to deconstruct my own false self? Where, then, is the joy to be found in this seemingly endless process of peeling back one more layer of illusion? The lighting of candles at this time of year helps me to have perspective. In the midst of a jam-packed run up to Christmas, simple candles remind us of the presence of Christ in the midst of it all, lighting the way. Likewise, in my prayer, in the midst of slowly divesting of the accumulated clutter of a lifetime, I catch the flicker, and grow in awareness of, that light of Christ, burning somehow both subtly and brightly in me, in you, in all of us from the first moment of our existence. That is cause for true joy.

Contemplative Corner #189 When, during Advent, we ask for God to “show [God’s] face” (Ps 80), or proclaim vision clear enough to recognize that “Here is your God” (Is 40:9), we are clearly pointing to a way of seeing beyond usual, dualistic perception. Richard Rohr explains the eyes we need to “see” God, and their importance: Hugh of St. Victor (1078-1141) and Richard of St. Victor (1123-1173) wrote that humanity was given three different sets of eyes, each building on the previous one. The first eye was the eye of the flesh (thought or sight), the second was the eye of reason (meditation or reflection), and the third was the intuitive eye of true understanding (contemplation). I describe this third eye [contemplation] as knowing something simply by being calmly present to it (no processing needed!) . . . One wonders how far spiritual and political leaders can genuinely lead us without some degree of contemplative seeing and action. It is hardly an exaggeration to say that “us-and-them” seeing, and the dualistic thinking that results, is the foundation of almost all discontent and violence in the world . . . We need all three sets of eyes in both a healthy culture and a healthy religion. As we prepare for a “rebirth” of faith this Advent, let us pray for such clear vision!