The Phenomenal

January 22, 2024

It is phenomenal that we can live rich and exciting lives. Of course, we all have troubles; these are part and parcel of life. However, none of us are doomed to live dull, boring, unsatisfying, or monotonous existences. When we live "the spiritual life," as Henri Nouwen calls it, we are on an exciting journey, but what makes it so?

Our spirit and soul are as close as our skin, heart, and bones. And if we explore the vast regions of that soul, we discover phenomenal things. When we explore what makes us feel genuinely full, free, and happy, we dare to bring those things into our lives. Sometimes, the shift is painful because we must let go of parts of our lives that we'd had forever.

We are willing to make the necessary sacrifices to realize our true happiness. For example, our dearest friends realized that their souls yearned for a very special city, the fantastic melting pot of many cultures, the free exchange of ideas, newer challenges for spiritual growth, art, museums, concerts, multicultural foods, and the beauty of human creativity. They left Birmingham, Alabama, and moved to New York City, where they now live in the rich experiences they'd dreamt of. They know their life there is not a panacea, yet they spiritually feed on their new and fascinating environment and all it affords their souls.

Similarly, we have other wonderful friends who have lived in the Boston metropolitan area all their lives. The big city no longer fed their souls. They moved their family and businesses across the country to a town in California where they have the space, pace, and weather they'd always longed for.

Of course, our souls are not fed only by making geographical moves. Internal moves and changes of focus also provide them. President George W. Bush retired from public life. His soul felt empty and uncentered. He had always wanted to paint but never gave himself the time to do so. Painting became one of his soul's greatest fulfillments.

But such journeys begin with deep diving into our souls to understand our desires. The soul's journey reveals many things we did not know, things we had an inkling of or things we had repressed. The Institute for Conscious Being is a phenomenal organization whose mission is to help us explore our souls profoundly and to come to know our souls' sincere desires.

Inquiry: Do you feel a tug on your heartstrings? What desires and changes call out to you from your soul?

Dear God,

For the possibility of experiencing your kingdom right here, right now, I am truly grateful. Amen

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