An essential aspect of what is known as “Zen mind” is having the courage to be fully present in the moment and nowhere else. Many Christians might claim they have no time for what is referred to as “mysticism,” often associated with Eastern philosophy and thought.
History shows us that Christian mystics like Meister Eckhart, Saint Francis, Saint Augustine, and Saint Catherine of Siena—who spent three years in silent meditation and famously said,
“All the way to Heaven is Heaven”—share a connection with Eastern thought. This connection reflects the core idea of Zen, which teaches that “we should not place divinity above the everyday miracles of life”.
Sometimes, we can gain deeper insight by clarifying the terms we use to explain how we form conclusions that influence our actions and opinions. Over time, we have learned that the scientific revolution transformed Western thought, leading to a newfound respect for the intuitive sciences of the East.
Western thought demonstrated that reaching conclusions purely through logic is devoid of reality, even if we can define what reality means. It was Einstein who expressed suspicion of the restrictions of linear thought and that our “intuition” plays a crucial role in our thinking. Viewing things solely through what might be called “linear thinking” limits us to believing there’s only one path from Point A to Point B, when in fact, there are multiple ways to reach Point B.
Saint Catherine’s idea that “All the way to Heaven is Heaven” suggests intriguing parallels between the theory of relativity and the Buddhist concept of the unity of time and space.
It implies that the future is already unfolding within us and highlights a profound cosmic symmetry, a fundamental connection that resonates with all aspects of nature. Once acknowledged, we can ask how we tap into these universal vibrations that exist all around us every day.
The secret has never been a secret; we find it in the silence of our mind in both meditation and prayer while we look to what takes us there.
It’s about living beyond what we think we know. Learning to embrace who we really are and having the strength to walk in the light you acknowledge has always been present, like the stars at noon. You know they’re up there you just can’t see them. It’s what you perceive when you transcend your own fear of meaninglessness, with no amount of what we call “progress” taking its place.
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