Wednesday, November 2

All Souls’ Day

Contemplation develops an entirely different operating system, different software where the private self is not the center of attention and interpretation. This is the  ¢â‚¬Å“grain of wheat ¢â‚¬  that Jesus says must die  ¢â‚¬Å“or it remains just a grain of wheat. ¢â‚¬  But if it dies,  ¢â‚¬Å“it bears much fruit ¢â‚¬  (John 12:24). Mature and contemplative religion has always known that we need a new way of thinking, which Paul called  ¢â‚¬Å“the mind of Christ ¢â‚¬  (1 Corinthians 2:16) or a  ¢â‚¬Å“spiritual revolution of the mind ¢â‚¬  (Ephesians 4:23).

Only with this new mind can we also develop a new heart too, and a new emotional response to the moment. When it is not all about me, we can see from a new, much deeper, and broader set of eyes.

Adapted from “The Change That Changes Everything,”

The Drumbeat (free monthly e-newsletter from Men As Learners and Elders), October 2011

Starter Prayer: Change my mind.

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