Spirituality: Session Seven B


Session Summary - Shedding the Husks of Dogma

"Our study of Emerson's transcendentalism has led me to wonder about how the son of a theologically liberal but socially conservative Unitarian minister, and nephew of a fanatic Calvinist (Aunt Mary Moody Emerson), - could have developed a spirituality that foreshadows most of what I have read in Jung and many sophisticated religious writings of today."

Emerson's father had liberal views but a conservative lifestyle. There is often a contradiction between our ideas and how we live, and vice versa. It depends on context: intellectual, domestic, self-perception. It also depends on what you're invested in. William Emerson senior gave alms to an orphanage for girls. But one of his darker motives was to keep the children from escaping their lot in life and threatening the ruling class. This contradiction requires observation, not judgment from us. As Emerson says in Oversoul, the human soul contains both dark and light, and will break through in its wholeness, in spite of efforts to manipulate it. As much as Waldo broke new spiritual and intellectual ground, he was genetically rooted in his father. As hard as it sometimes is to admit, we too are rooted in our fathers and mothers.

"Seeing the sources of Emerson's vibrant spirituality is important in order to remind us that our group, any group for that matter, are the by-products of many traditions."

We need to acknowledge our roots or they will act themselves out unconsciously. When we try to deny tradition's influence, its often because of negative elements of tradition. But our roots contain a diversity of influences, both positive and negative. Mennonites were not only judgmental and legalistic, but also reformers, seekers for spirituality, and peasants connected to a rich pagan tradition. There are many levels of traditions: family, tribe, people, intellectual to name a few.

"Where transcendentalism originated is a topic of erudite discussion. One thing is certain, that in George Ripley's Boston 'drawing room" a group of similar minds met in the 1830's. "

In comparing Watershed Community to the Transcendentalists, one difference is Watershed's longevity. The Transcendentalists as a group didn't last very long. Their efforts at communal living petered out as well. Their idealism and strong emphasis on individualism combined to dissipate their creative energies and made it difficult for them to cooperate in the long run. Watershed is more communitarian based, like our Mennonite heritage. Our dangers deal with collectivity and fusion. But we have the advantage of flames and community discernment to help us be honest , authentic and cooperative.

"Having no creed, we have come to find resources in the writings of the past, particularly the study of the literary and spiritual classics of Western culture, and in our life together as seekers. "

Perhaps Watershed is not as creed-less as we think. Do we in fact share a belief system, at a deeper level? Underneath our various experiences, we find ourselves often talking about an awareness of grace, the integration of shadow, and a search for meaning. Another common element is unhappy or stifling childhood homes causing many of us to seek a true home. Where do these themes come from? A sense of call? Our Christian background? Like the Transcendentalists, we yearn for a vibrant spiritual home. We don't want to return to doctrine, but life-giving imagery (desert bones coming to life, underground stream, being called out, the Word made flesh...) reappears consistently in many of our lives, connecting the different contexts we find ourselves in.

As we reminisced about formative images in our lives, it was interesting to observe the themes emerging. Paul and Marty remembered 20 years ago, after their church had burned down, both hearing someone say "it'll be all right" when it was only the two of them in the car. Emmaus road? As a young college student, Cal was terrified that he was no longer accepted, when a World Religion course shatters his fundamentalist understanding of salvation. Dave remembers the desolation he felt when he realized the foundations of belief in his home were an illusion. Bev finds the Hindu idea of householder spirituality reveals a platonic in-breaking into mundanity. There is a season for everything. Lydia's worries whether to send Joel to church, but her own image of an internal compass can assure her that kids can find their own way if we stop worrying about them. Our roots create a context for meaning, even as they confine us.

One of our common themes is leaving unhealthy homes. Horrible experiences of the past seem empty, but they may contain wealth for us. When God seems absent, our desire for God grows. During these times our addiction to God is confronted and purged as well. Emerson's understanding of Oversoul reminds us that dark times are part of the Nature of the universe, and that we are accompanied through whatever experiences we have.

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