The Work - Part 6
March 30, 2025
Saying what we think sometimes hurts others’ feelings and causes problems. This happens especially if our emotional center is running rampant. It is hard spiritual work to control emotions enough to consider what we say before we say it.
Let’s be sure: speaking our truth is essential, and I admire those who are courageous enough to let people know where they stand. This includes speaking truth to power. However, when we sling around our opinions without regard to others’ feelings, a lot of damage can be done. It can hurt people’s spirits, even alienate us from one another. It can break down all communication.
Issuing negative judgments about someone's personal life, preferences, and characteristics can be destructive. Some of us may make insensitive statements about another’s competence or mistakes. We have all been victims of another person’s negative judgments of us, and so we understand how hurtful this can be. But for many of us, our fury can take over, we can lose our temper, and someone can be hurt, needlessly.
But this can be prevented by our spiritual work. Spiritual work includes the daily grooming of serenity — a state of being that does not conduct needless aggression and hurtful comments. This type of serenity permeates our every cell, and because of that, there is less likelihood that an unchecked ego and negative emotion will take control. Serenity is not a passive condition.
Serenity is a state that requires active reinforcement all day long. To maintain this condition, our spirit needs a fluid connection with the Divine. But to reinforce this state, we must have a foundational spiritual practice. It’s best if we begin our day with our spiritual practice.
Self-inquiry: Why do you think serenity was described above as an active, not passive condition?
Dear God,
I pray for serenity and for the connection with you that provides it. Amen
