Posted on by Hans Asfeldt

As your feet leave the ground.

Inspired by Vivienne Simon’s essay, “Fostering Light in Dark Times.”

Still Gold

It is surely a leap of faith that mobilizes paralysis induced by the intellectual awareness of destruction and its inevitability. We might perhaps meander the paths of life without taking such a leap, but is the stark nature of pain and loss not such that we are incapable of fully investing our energy elsewhere without first confronting the immediate reality? Beyond embracing ignorance or yielding to despair, we yearn to be satisfied by some deconstruction of undeniable truths.

This thirst is borne of the soul’s unrest at the mind’s conclusions. The identification of this relationship is critical in evading a frustration that might otherwise consume and incapacitate.

Destruction as reality is not irrational, rather, it is spiritually challenging. The key recognition is that of the spiritual nature of a struggle. Intellect is incapable as a primary instrument in a search for meaning. So long as we demand a rational explanation capable of dissolving spiritual unrest, we will remain unsatisfied.

Specifically, the required leap of faith is one that pushes argument to its limits, but no further, and engages spiritual struggle where rational conclusions or limitations cause unrest.

Into what, then, does one leap when rational thought is exhausted and the soul, unsatisfied? Curious indeed, that we should jump knowing only what we seek but not where we might find it.

But the soul tastes refuge, just as the feet leave the ground. It is here that life is worth living, even as destruction continues.

– Hans

2 Replies to “As your feet leave the ground.”

  1. Agreed Hans, and others.
    Are some of the SOUL’s concepts in what follows apropos for :
    Dr. Pfrimmer’s Canadian Public Theology (Oct.3l @ 9 am Edmonton’s Trinity Lutheran 10014-81 Ave.),
    our Nov. Conference, and the Mending the Circle Retreat ( Nov.15-17 in Nordegg)?

    1.
    For what a co-creative “Being” may offer,
    can an open invitation be extended
    to be a permanent, life-long neighbor,
    within communities of COMPASSION, MERCY, and HOPE”?
    2.
    Are such invitations from farmers and Indiginous communities FEASIBILE?
    3.
    With model schools like Evansdale Elementary, the first RIGHTS-RESPECTING School in Alberta,
    http://www.albertahumanrights.ab.ca/education/events.asp Commission
    http://www.jhcentre.org/sites/default/files/files/Rights%20Respecting%20Schools%20in%20Alberta.pdf Definition
    http://www.unicef.org/crc/ United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child
    http://e-activist.com/ea-campaign/action.retrievestaticpage.do?ea_static_page_id=1347 Getting started

    can we reverse urban growth, and
    allow a choice for each person to RETURN,
    in a very real sense,
    to the SPIRIT of the EARTH?
    4.
    A NEW “Spirit of the Earth ETHIC” of COOPeration
    must replace the existing economic ethic
    based on competition, unlimited growth,
    and the false notion of duality.

    Will we ever learn the message of proper behavior from our CHILDREN;
    who like us, are products of true LOVE in the UNIVERSE?
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-B7GtGQ8WM All MUSIC is prayer.
    5.
    For physical survival we need photosynthetic oxygen, H2O, a SAFE sleep, and plenty of EARTH ‘s nutritious LOVE.

    How much is ENOUGH?

    In each MOMENT, with the gifts of a heartbeat, breath, and choice;
    we can choose the JOY of creation;
    in the midst of pain and suffering.

    Please continue your wonderful dialogue for CHANGE=CREATOR!

    Namaste
    Ed

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