Unitive Consciousness

UNITIVE CONSCIOUSNESS                    John 17. 20-26
 
 
“So that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one.”
 
This prayer of Jesus for us feels like a soothing balm in a time where there are so many temptations to think in terms of being separate from, different from, or even in opposition with one another.
 
Mother Teresa of Calcutta once said that most all our problems stem from the fact that we have forgotten that we belong to one another. In many ways we are prone to falling into the “us” vs “them” trap. But I say that any perception that we are somehow separate from each other is an illusion.
 
The illusion of separateness fosters division, operating from scarcity and fear, whereas a unifying consciousness fosters unity, operating from compassion, abundance, and love. This unitive consciousness is the nature of God and the nature of the Kingdom of Heaven. This is a foundational teaching of Jesus
 
Throughout the Gospels, Jesus makes continual reference to the “Kingdom of Heaven.” He says that the Kingdom of Heaven is near; the Kingdome of heaven is about us; the Kingdom of heaven is within us; the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand; the Kingdom of Heaven is like this or the Kingdom of Heaven like that.
 
So, how do we understand the Kingdom of Heaven? One of the most important books on my shelf is Cynthia Bourgeault’s The Wisdom Jesus. In it, she points out that the question of interpretation of the Kingdom of Heaven has been a point of debate among Biblical scholars for millennia, and that some might say that the Kingdom of Heaven is out there somewhere – a place where you go when you die. But the problem with that interpretation is that Jesus contradicts it when he teaches that the “Kingdom of Heaven is within you.”
 
Bourgeault goes on to say that the other approach is to say that the Kingdom of Heaven is some sort of earthly eutopia where there is peace and justice and everyone lives in harmony. But again, Jesus rejects this. When the disciples try to proclaim him in as the Messiah – the new king of Israel who would inaugurate the reign of God’s justice, he shrank away from it saying strongly and unequivocally, “My kingdom is not of this world.”
 
So where is it then?
 
Taking Jesus at his word, I’ll go with the Kingdom of Heaven is within us. Mystics, teachers, and theologians such as Thomas Merton and Richard Rohr and others agree with the contemporary suggestion brought forth in Jim Marion’s book: Putting on the Mind of Christ that the Kingdom of Heaven is really a metaphor for a state of consciousness; it is not a place you go to, but instead a place you come from. Marion suggests that the “Kingdom of Heaven” is Jesus’ favorite way of describing a state that we would now call nondual consciousness or unitive consciousness. The hallmark of this awareness is that it sees no separation – not between God and Jesus, not between God and humans, not between humans and other humans – and this underpins Jesus’ teaching.
 
“As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one.” 
 
No separation. This is a complete mutual indwelling: I am in God, God is in you, you are in God, we are in each other. This is the indivisible reality of Divine Love.
 
So, how do we achieve this state of consciousness that is the Kingdom of Heaven within us? It requires that we are grounded in something larger than ourselves – something that is beyond our ego – that lies within us waiting to be discovered, or for some, rediscovered.
 
The term contemplative awareness or meditative awareness refers to that state in which our mind, having gone beyond itself, is silent, open, and aware. It is a state in which we can posture our hearts in hospitality to the mystery and love of God.  Meditation is the portal through which we can experience this. It is something that we can practice daily, and day by day we begin to more fully realize the expansiveness of the Kingdom of Heaven within. We will begin to realize an overall sense of calm and clarity. We will feel less anxious and triggered by the sometimes-troubling events that surround us because we are tapping into a truth that is much larger, much deeper and eternal than the finite and the superficial  
 
This does not mean we will not experience hardship or crisis in our life. It doesn’t mean that we become immune from feeling frustrated or frightened by troubling and chaotic events unfolding around us. But it does mean that we will have a refuge where we can recover and rejuvenate. We need more than ever to give ourselves the gift of silence and align ourselves with something deeper. That something is contemplative awareness. It is the Kingdom of Heaven within us.
 
In the Eleventh Step in the recovery program of Alcoholics Anonymous, as much a profound spiritual path as I have ever experienced, says this: Those of us who have come to make regular use of prayer and meditation would no more do without it than we would refuse air, food, or sunshine. And for the same reason. When we refuse air, light, or food, the body suffers. And when we turn away from meditation and prayer, we likewise deprive our minds, our emotions, and our intuitions of vitally needed support. As the body can fail its purpose for lack of nourishment, so can the soul.
 
But meditation is not only for us as individuals. Our sitting practice prepares us to serve the common good with a clear mind and open heart. We respond from a silent center and reduce the noise and chaos rather than add to it. In this way, because we are all interconnected, the unitive consciousness that is the fruit of our meditation practice is a gift to others not only around the corner, but around the world.  
 
If you already have a daily meditation practice, know that you are inter-connected with millions of others. If you want to develop your practice, you can begin by simply sitting in silence for a few minutes each day and build your practice over time and know that you are also inter-connected with millions of others in that way.    
 
This is a time for us to cast away any illusion of separateness so that we can help guide a hurting world that is hungry for a sense of community and belonging. All religious traditions and spiritual expressions have a tremendous opportunity to show the world what coming together for the common good of humanity can look like. We need each other. Together we can make the world a better place. Together we can help each other realize the Kingdom of Heaven within us.
 
As the Psalmist says: “Oh, how good and wonderful it is when people live in unity.”
 
 
Brother Dennis
​

UNITIVE CONSCIOUSNESS                    John 17. 20-26
 
 
“So that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one.”
 
This prayer of Jesus for us feels like a soothing balm in a time where there are so many temptations to think in terms of being separate from, different from, or even in opposition with one another.
 
Mother Teresa of Calcutta once said that most all our problems stem from the fact that we have forgotten that we belong to one another. In many ways we are prone to falling into the “us” vs “them” trap. But I say that any perception that we are somehow separate from each other is an illusion.
 
The illusion of separateness fosters division, operating from scarcity and fear, whereas a unifying consciousness fosters unity, operating from compassion, abundance, and love. This unitive consciousness is the nature of God and the nature of the Kingdom of Heaven. This is a foundational teaching of Jesus
 
Throughout the Gospels, Jesus makes continual reference to the “Kingdom of Heaven.” He says that the Kingdom of Heaven is near; the Kingdome of heaven is about us; the Kingdom of heaven is within us; the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand; the Kingdom of Heaven is like this or the Kingdom of Heaven like that.
 
So, how do we understand the Kingdom of Heaven? One of the most important books on my shelf is Cynthia Bourgeault’s The Wisdom Jesus. In it, she points out that the question of interpretation of the Kingdom of Heaven has been a point of debate among Biblical scholars for millennia, and that some might say that the Kingdom of Heaven is out there somewhere – a place where you go when you die. But the problem with that interpretation is that Jesus contradicts it when he teaches that the “Kingdom of Heaven is within you.”
 
Bourgeault goes on to say that the other approach is to say that the Kingdom of Heaven is some sort of earthly eutopia where there is peace and justice and everyone lives in harmony. But again, Jesus rejects this. When the disciples try to proclaim him in as the Messiah – the new king of Israel who would inaugurate the reign of God’s justice, he shrank away from it saying strongly and unequivocally, “My kingdom is not of this world.”
 
So where is it then?
 
Taking Jesus at his word, I’ll go with the Kingdom of Heaven is within us. Mystics, teachers, and theologians such as Thomas Merton and Richard Rohr and others agree with the contemporary suggestion brought forth in Jim Marion’s book: Putting on the Mind of Christ that the Kingdom of Heaven is really a metaphor for a state of consciousness; it is not a place you go to, but instead a place you come from. Marion suggests that the “Kingdom of Heaven” is Jesus’ favorite way of describing a state that we would now call nondual consciousness or unitive consciousness. The hallmark of this awareness is that it sees no separation – not between God and Jesus, not between God and humans, not between humans and other humans – and this underpins Jesus’ teaching.
 
“As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one.” 
 
No separation. This is a complete mutual indwelling: I am in God, God is in you, you are in God, we are in each other. This is the indivisible reality of Divine Love.
 
So, how do we achieve this state of consciousness that is the Kingdom of Heaven within us? It requires that we are grounded in something larger than ourselves – something that is beyond our ego – that lies within us waiting to be discovered, or for some, rediscovered.
 
The term contemplative awareness or meditative awareness refers to that state in which our mind, having gone beyond itself, is silent, open, and aware. It is a state in which we can posture our hearts in hospitality to the mystery and love of God.  Meditation is the portal through which we can experience this. It is something that we can practice daily, and day by day we begin to more fully realize the expansiveness of the Kingdom of Heaven within. We will begin to realize an overall sense of calm and clarity. We will feel less anxious and triggered by the sometimes-troubling events that surround us because we are tapping into a truth that is much larger, much deeper and eternal than the finite and the superficial  
 
This does not mean we will not experience hardship or crisis in our life. It doesn’t mean that we become immune from feeling frustrated or frightened by troubling and chaotic events unfolding around us. But it does mean that we will have a refuge where we can recover and rejuvenate. We need more than ever to give ourselves the gift of silence and align ourselves with something deeper. That something is contemplative awareness. It is the Kingdom of Heaven within us.
 
In the Eleventh Step in the recovery program of Alcoholics Anonymous, as much a profound spiritual path as I have ever experienced, says this: Those of us who have come to make regular use of prayer and meditation would no more do without it than we would refuse air, food, or sunshine. And for the same reason. When we refuse air, light, or food, the body suffers. And when we turn away from meditation and prayer, we likewise deprive our minds, our emotions, and our intuitions of vitally needed support. As the body can fail its purpose for lack of nourishment, so can the soul.
 
But meditation is not only for us as individuals. Our sitting practice prepares us to serve the common good with a clear mind and open heart. We respond from a silent center and reduce the noise and chaos rather than add to it. In this way, because we are all interconnected, the unitive consciousness that is the fruit of our meditation practice is a gift to others not only around the corner, but around the world.  
 
If you already have a daily meditation practice, know that you are inter-connected with millions of others. If you want to develop your practice, you can begin by simply sitting in silence for a few minutes each day and build your practice over time and know that you are also inter-connected with millions of others in that way.    
 
This is a time for us to cast away any illusion of separateness so that we can help guide a hurting world that is hungry for a sense of community and belonging. All religious traditions and spiritual expressions have a tremendous opportunity to show the world what coming together for the common good of humanity can look like. We need each other. Together we can make the world a better place. Together we can help each other realize the Kingdom of Heaven within us.
 
As the Psalmist says: “Oh, how good and wonderful it is when people live in unity.”
 
 
Brother Dennis
UNITIVE CONSCIOUSNESS                    John 17. 20-26
 UNITIVE CONSCIOUSNESS                    John 17. 20-26
 
 
“So that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one.”
 
This prayer of Jesus for us feels like a soothing balm in a time where there are so many temptations to think in terms of being separate from, different from, or even in opposition with one another.
 
Mother Teresa of Calcutta once said that most all our problems stem from the fact that we have forgotten that we belong to one another. In many ways we are prone to falling into the “us” vs “them” trap. But I say that any perception that we are somehow separate from each other is an illusion.
 
The illusion of separateness fosters division, operating from scarcity and fear, whereas a unifying consciousness fosters unity, operating from compassion, abundance, and love. This unitive consciousness is the nature of God and the nature of the Kingdom of Heaven. This is a foundational teaching of Jesus
 
Throughout the Gospels, Jesus makes continual reference to the “Kingdom of Heaven.” He says that the Kingdom of Heaven is near; the Kingdome of heaven is about us; the Kingdom of heaven is within us; the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand; the Kingdom of Heaven is like this or the Kingdom of Heaven like that.
 
So, how do we understand the Kingdom of Heaven? One of the most important books on my shelf is Cynthia Bourgeault’s The Wisdom Jesus. In it, she points out that the question of interpretation of the Kingdom of Heaven has been a point of debate among Biblical scholars for millennia, and that some might say that the Kingdom of Heaven is out there somewhere – a place where you go when you die. But the problem with that interpretation is that Jesus contradicts it when he teaches that the “Kingdom of Heaven is within you.”
 
Bourgeault goes on to say that the other approach is to say that the Kingdom of Heaven is some sort of earthly eutopia where there is peace and justice and everyone lives in harmony. But again, Jesus rejects this. When the disciples try to proclaim him in as the Messiah – the new king of Israel who would inaugurate the reign of God’s justice, he shrank away from it saying strongly and unequivocally, “My kingdom is not of this world.”
 
So where is it then?
 
Taking Jesus at his word, I’ll go with the Kingdom of Heaven is within us. Mystics, teachers, and theologians such as Thomas Merton and Richard Rohr and others agree with the contemporary suggestion brought forth in Jim Marion’s book: Putting on the Mind of Christ that the Kingdom of Heaven is really a metaphor for a state of consciousness; it is not a place you go to, but instead a place you come from. Marion suggests that the “Kingdom of Heaven” is Jesus’ favorite way of describing a state that we would now call nondual consciousness or unitive consciousness. The hallmark of this awareness is that it sees no separation – not between God and Jesus, not between God and humans, not between humans and other humans – and this underpins Jesus’ teaching.
 
“As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one.” 
 
No separation. This is a complete mutual indwelling: I am in God, God is in you, you are in God, we are in each other. This is the indivisible reality of Divine Love.
 
So, how do we achieve this state of consciousness that is the Kingdom of Heaven within us? It requires that we are grounded in something larger than ourselves – something that is beyond our ego – that lies within us waiting to be discovered, or for some, rediscovered.
 
The term contemplative awareness or meditative awareness refers to that state in which our mind, having gone beyond itself, is silent, open, and aware. It is a state in which we can posture our hearts in hospitality to the mystery and love of God.  Meditation is the portal through which we can experience this. It is something that we can practice daily, and day by day we begin to more fully realize the expansiveness of the Kingdom of Heaven within. We will begin to realize an overall sense of calm and clarity. We will feel less anxious and triggered by the sometimes-troubling events that surround us because we are tapping into a truth that is much larger, much deeper and eternal than the finite and the superficial  
 
This does not mean we will not experience hardship or crisis in our life. It doesn’t mean that we become immune from feeling frustrated or frightened by troubling and chaotic events unfolding around us. But it does mean that we will have a refuge where we can recover and rejuvenate. We need more than ever to give ourselves the gift of silence and align ourselves with something deeper. That something is contemplative awareness. It is the Kingdom of Heaven within us.
 
In the Eleventh Step in the recovery program of Alcoholics Anonymous, as much a profound spiritual path as I have ever experienced, says this: Those of us who have come to make regular use of prayer and meditation would no more do without it than we would refuse air, food, or sunshine. And for the same reason. When we refuse air, light, or food, the body suffers. And when we turn away from meditation and prayer, we likewise deprive our minds, our emotions, and our intuitions of vitally needed support. As the body can fail its purpose for lack of nourishment, so can the soul.
 
But meditation is not only for us as individuals. Our sitting practice prepares us to serve the common good with a clear mind and open heart. We respond from a silent center and reduce the noise and chaos rather than add to it. In this way, because we are all interconnected, the unitive consciousness that is the fruit of our meditation practice is a gift to others not only around the corner, but around the world.  
 
If you already have a daily meditation practice, know that you are inter-connected with millions of others. If you want to develop your practice, you can begin by simply sitting in silence for a few minutes each day and build your practice over time and know that you are also inter-connected with millions of others in that way.    
 
This is a time for us to cast away any illusion of separateness so that we can help guide a hurting world that is hungry for a sense of community and belonging. All religious traditions and spiritual expressions have a tremendous opportunity to show the world what coming together for the common good of humanity can look like. We need each other. Together we can make the world a better place. Together we can help each other realize the Kingdom of Heaven within us.
 
As the Psalmist says: “Oh, how good and wonderful it is when people live in unity.”
 
 
Brother Dennis
 
“So that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one.”
 
This prayer of Jesus for us feels like a soothing balm in a time where there are so many temptations to think in terms of being separate from, different from, or even in opposition with one another.
 
Mother Teresa of Calcutta once said that most all our problems stem from the fact that we have forgotten that we belong to one another. In many ways we are prone to falling into the “us” vs “them” trap. But I say that any perception that we are somehow separate from each other is an illusion.
 
The illusion of separateness fosters division, operating from scarcity and fear, whereas a unifying consciousness fosters unity, operating from compassion, abundance, and love. This unitive consciousness is the nature of God and the nature of the Kingdom of Heaven. This is a foundational teaching of Jesus
 
Throughout the Gospels, Jesus makes continual reference to the “Kingdom of Heaven.” He says that the Kingdom of Heaven is near; the Kingdome of heaven is about us; the Kingdom of heaven is within us; the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand; the Kingdom of Heaven is like this or the Kingdom of Heaven like that.
 
So, how do we understand the Kingdom of Heaven? One of the most important books on my shelf is Cynthia Bourgeault’s The Wisdom Jesus. In it, she points out that the question of interpretation of the Kingdom of Heaven has been a point of debate among Biblical scholars for millennia, and that some might say that the Kingdom of Heaven is out there somewhere – a place where you go when you die. But the problem with that interpretation is that Jesus contradicts it when he teaches that the “Kingdom of Heaven is within you.”
 
Bourgeault goes on to say that the other approach is to say that the Kingdom of Heaven is some sort of earthly eutopia where there is peace and justice and everyone lives in harmony. But again, Jesus rejects this. When the disciples try to proclaim him in as the Messiah – the new king of Israel who would inaugurate the reign of God’s justice, he shrank away from it saying strongly and unequivocally, “My kingdom is not of this world.”
 
So where is it then?
 
Taking Jesus at his word, I’ll go with the Kingdom of Heaven is within us. Mystics, teachers, and theologians such as Thomas Merton and Richard Rohr and others agree with the contemporary suggestion brought forth in Jim Marion’s book: Putting on the Mind of Christ that the Kingdom of Heaven is really a metaphor for a state of consciousness; it is not a place you go to, but instead a place you come from. Marion suggests that the “Kingdom of Heaven” is Jesus’ favorite way of describing a state that we would now call nondual consciousness or unitive consciousness. The hallmark of this awareness is that it sees no separation – not between God and Jesus, not between God and humans, not between humans and other humans – and this underpins Jesus’ teaching.
 
“As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one.” 
 
No separation. This is a complete mutual indwelling: I am in God, God is in you, you are in God, we are in each other. This is the indivisible reality of Divine Love.
 
So, how do we achieve this state of consciousness that is the Kingdom of Heaven within us? It requires that we are grounded in something larger than ourselves – something that is beyond our ego – that lies within us waiting to be discovered, or for some, rediscovered.
 
The term contemplative awareness or meditative awareness refers to that state in which our mind, having gone beyond itself, is silent, open, and aware. It is a state in which we can posture our hearts in hospitality to the mystery and love of God.  Meditation is the portal through which we can experience this. It is something that we can practice daily, and day by day we begin to more fully realize the expansiveness of the Kingdom of Heaven within. We will begin to realize an overall sense of calm and clarity. We will feel less anxious and triggered by the sometimes-troubling events that surround us because we are tapping into a truth that is much larger, much deeper and eternal than the finite and the superficial  
 
This does not mean we will not experience hardship or crisis in our life. It doesn’t mean that we become immune from feeling frustrated or frightened by troubling and chaotic events unfolding around us. But it does mean that we will have a refuge where we can recover and rejuvenate. We need more than ever to give ourselves the gift of silence and align ourselves with something deeper. That something is contemplative awareness. It is the Kingdom of Heaven within us.
 
In the Eleventh Step in the recovery program of Alcoholics Anonymous, as much a profound spiritual path as I have ever experienced, says this: Those of us who have come to make regular use of prayer and meditation would no more do without it than we would refuse air, food, or sunshine. And for the same reason. When we refuse air, light, or food, the body suffers. And when we turn away from meditation and prayer, we likewise deprive our minds, our emotions, and our intuitions of vitally needed support. As the body can fail its purpose for lack of nourishment, so can the soul.
 
But meditation is not only for us as individuals. Our sitting practice prepares us to serve the common good with a clear mind and open heart. We respond from a silent center and reduce the noise and chaos rather than add to it. In this way, because we are all interconnected, the unitive consciousness that is the fruit of our meditation practice is a gift to others not only around the corner, but around the world.  
 
If you already have a daily meditation practice, know that you are inter-connected with millions of others. If you want to develop your practice, you can begin by simply sitting in silence for a few minutes each day and build your practice over time and know that you are also inter-connected with millions of others in that way.    
 
This is a time for us to cast away any illusion of separateness so that we can help guide a hurting world that is hungry for a sense of community and belonging. All religious traditions and spiritual expressions have a tremendous opportunity to show the world what coming together for the common good of humanity can look like. We need each other. Together we can make the world a better place. Together we can help each other realize the Kingdom of Heaven within us.
 
As the Psalmist says: “Oh, how good and wonderful it is when people live in unity.”
 
 
Brother Dennis
UNITIVE CONSCIOUSNESS                    John 17. 20-26UNITIVE CONSCIOUSNESS                    John 17. 20-26
 
 
“So that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one.”
 
This prayer of Jesus for us feels like a soothing balm in a time where there are so many temptations to think in terms of being separate from, different from, or even in opposition with one another.
 
Mother Teresa of Calcutta once said that most all our problems stem from the fact that we have forgotten that we belong to one another. In many ways we are prone to falling into the “us” vs “them” trap. But I say that any perception that we are somehow separate from each other is an illusion.
 
The illusion of separateness fosters division, operating from scarcity and fear, whereas a unifying consciousness fosters unity, operating from compassion, abundance, and love. This unitive consciousness is the nature of God and the nature of the Kingdom of Heaven. This is a foundational teaching of Jesus
 
Throughout the Gospels, Jesus makes continual reference to the “Kingdom of Heaven.” He says that the Kingdom of Heaven is near; the Kingdome of heaven is about us; the Kingdom of heaven is within us; the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand; the Kingdom of Heaven is like this or the Kingdom of Heaven like that.
 
So, how do we understand the Kingdom of Heaven? One of the most important books on my shelf is Cynthia Bourgeault’s The Wisdom Jesus. In it, she points out that the question of interpretation of the Kingdom of Heaven has been a point of debate among Biblical scholars for millennia, and that some might say that the Kingdom of Heaven is out there somewhere – a place where you go when you die. But the problem with that interpretation is that Jesus contradicts it when he teaches that the “Kingdom of Heaven is within you.”
 
Bourgeault goes on to say that the other approach is to say that the Kingdom of Heaven is some sort of earthly eutopia where there is peace and justice and everyone lives in harmony. But again, Jesus rejects this. When the disciples try to proclaim him in as the Messiah – the new king of Israel who would inaugurate the reign of God’s justice, he shrank away from it saying strongly and unequivocally, “My kingdom is not of this world.”
 
So where is it then?
 
Taking Jesus at his word, I’ll go with the Kingdom of Heaven is within us. Mystics, teachers, and theologians such as Thomas Merton and Richard Rohr and others agree with the contemporary suggestion brought forth in Jim Marion’s book: Putting on the Mind of Christ that the Kingdom of Heaven is really a metaphor for a state of consciousness; it is not a place you go to, but instead a place you come from. Marion suggests that the “Kingdom of Heaven” is Jesus’ favorite way of describing a state that we would now call nondual consciousness or unitive consciousness. The hallmark of this awareness is that it sees no separation – not between God and Jesus, not between God and humans, not between humans and other humans – and this underpins Jesus’ teaching.
 
“As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one.” 
 
No separation. This is a complete mutual indwelling: I am in God, God is in you, you are in God, we are in each other. This is the indivisible reality of Divine Love.
 
So, how do we achieve this state of consciousness that is the Kingdom of Heaven within us? It requires that we are grounded in something larger than ourselves – something that is beyond our ego – that lies within us waiting to be discovered, or for some, rediscovered.
 
The term contemplative awareness or meditative awareness refers to that state in which our mind, having gone beyond itself, is silent, open, and aware. It is a state in which we can posture our hearts in hospitality to the mystery and love of God.  Meditation is the portal through which we can experience this. It is something that we can practice daily, and day by day we begin to more fully realize the expansiveness of the Kingdom of Heaven within. We will begin to realize an overall sense of calm and clarity. We will feel less anxious and triggered by the sometimes-troubling events that surround us because we are tapping into a truth that is much larger, much deeper and eternal than the finite and the superficial  
 
This does not mean we will not experience hardship or crisis in our life. It doesn’t mean that we become immune from feeling frustrated or frightened by troubling and chaotic events unfolding around us. But it does mean that we will have a refuge where we can recover and rejuvenate. We need more than ever to give ourselves the gift of silence and align ourselves with something deeper. That something is contemplative awareness. It is the Kingdom of Heaven within us.
 
In the Eleventh Step in the recovery program of Alcoholics Anonymous, as much a profound spiritual path as I have ever experienced, says this: Those of us who have come to make regular use of prayer and meditation would no more do without it than we would refuse air, food, or sunshine. And for the same reason. When we refuse air, light, or food, the body suffers. And when we turn away from meditation and prayer, we likewise deprive our minds, our emotions, and our intuitions of vitally needed support. As the body can fail its purpose for lack of nourishment, so can the soul.
 
But meditation is not only for us as individuals. Our sitting practice prepares us to serve the common good with a clear mind and open heart. We respond from a silent center and reduce the noise and chaos rather than add to it. In this way, because we are all interconnected, the unitive consciousness that is the fruit of our meditation practice is a gift to others not only around the corner, but around the world.  
 
If you already have a daily meditation practice, know that you are inter-connected with millions of others. If you want to develop your practice, you can begin by simply sitting in silence for a few minutes each day and build your practice over time and know that you are also inter-connected with millions of others in that way.    
 
This is a time for us to cast away any illusion of separateness so that we can help guide a hurting world that is hungry for a sense of community and belonging. All religious traditions and spiritual expressions have a tremendous opportunity to show the world what coming together for the common good of humanity can look like. We need each other. Together we can make the world a better place. Together we can help each other realize the Kingdom of Heaven within us.
 
As the Psalmist says: “Oh, how good and wonderful it is when people live in unity.”
 
 
Brother Dennis
​ 
 
“So that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one.”
 
This prayer of Jesus for us feels like a soothing balm in a time where there are so many temptations to think in terms of being separate from, different from, or even in opposition with one another.
 
Mother Teresa of Calcutta once said that most all our problems stem from the fact that we have forgotten that we belong to one another. In many ways we are prone to falling into the “us” vs “them” trap. But I say that any perception that we are somehow separate from each other is an illusion.
 
The illusion of separateness fosters division, operating from scarcity and fear, whereas a unifying consciousness fosters unity, operating from compassion, abundance, and love. This unitive consciousness is the nature of God and the nature of the Kingdom of Heaven. This is a foundational teaching of Jesus
 
Throughout the Gospels, Jesus makes continual reference to the “Kingdom of Heaven.” He says that the Kingdom of Heaven is near; the Kingdome of heaven is about us; the Kingdom of heaven is within us; the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand; the Kingdom of Heaven is like this or the Kingdom of Heaven like that.
 
So, how do we understand the Kingdom of Heaven? One of the most important books on my shelf is Cynthia Bourgeault’s The Wisdom Jesus. In it, she points out that the question of interpretation of the Kingdom of Heaven has been a point of debate among Biblical scholars for millennia, and that some might say that the Kingdom of Heaven is out there somewhere – a place where you go when you die. But the problem with that interpretation is that Jesus contradicts it when he teaches that the “Kingdom of Heaven is within you.”
 
Bourgeault goes on to say that the other approach is to say that the Kingdom of Heaven is some sort of earthly eutopia where there is peace and justice and everyone lives in harmony. But again, Jesus rejects this. When the disciples try to proclaim him in as the Messiah – the new king of Israel who would inaugurate the reign of God’s justice, he shrank away from it saying strongly and unequivocally, “My kingdom is not of this world.”
 
So where is it then?
 
Taking Jesus at his word, I’ll go with the Kingdom of Heaven is within us. Mystics, teachers, and theologians such as Thomas Merton and Richard Rohr and others agree with the contemporary suggestion brought forth in Jim Marion’s book: Putting on the Mind of Christ that the Kingdom of Heaven is really a metaphor for a state of consciousness; it is not a place you go to, but instead a place you come from. Marion suggests that the “Kingdom of Heaven” is Jesus’ favorite way of describing a state that we would now call nondual consciousness or unitive consciousness. The hallmark of this awareness is that it sees no separation – not between God and Jesus, not between God and humans, not between humans and other humans – and this underpins Jesus’ teaching.
 
“As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one.” 
 
No separation. This is a complete mutual indwelling: I am in God, God is in you, you are in God, we are in each other. This is the indivisible reality of Divine Love.
 
So, how do we achieve this state of consciousness that is the Kingdom of Heaven within us? It requires that we are grounded in something larger than ourselves – something that is beyond our ego – that lies within us waiting to be discovered, or for some, rediscovered.
 
The term contemplative awareness or meditative awareness refers to that state in which our mind, having gone beyond itself, is silent, open, and aware. It is a state in which we can posture our hearts in hospitality to the mystery and love of God.  Meditation is the portal through which we can experience this. It is something that we can practice daily, and day by day we begin to more fully realize the expansiveness of the Kingdom of Heaven within. We will begin to realize an overall sense of calm and clarity. We will feel less anxious and triggered by the sometimes-troubling events that surround us because we are tapping into a truth that is much larger, much deeper and eternal than the finite and the superficial  
 
This does not mean we will not experience hardship or crisis in our life. It doesn’t mean that we become immune from feeling frustrated or frightened by troubling and chaotic events unfolding around us. But it does mean that we will have a refuge where we can recover and rejuvenate. We need more than ever to give ourselves the gift of silence and align ourselves with something deeper. That something is contemplative awareness. It is the Kingdom of Heaven within us.
 
In the Eleventh Step in the recovery program of Alcoholics Anonymous, as much a profound spiritual path as I have ever experienced, says this: Those of us who have come to make regular use of prayer and meditation would no more do without it than we would refuse air, food, or sunshine. And for the same reason. When we refuse air, light, or food, the body suffers. And when we turn away from meditation and prayer, we likewise deprive our minds, our emotions, and our intuitions of vitally needed support. As the body can fail its purpose for lack of nourishment, so can the soul.
 
But meditation is not only for us as individuals. Our sitting practice prepares us to serve the common good with a clear mind and open heart. We respond from a silent center and reduce the noise and chaos rather than add to it. In this way, because we are all interconnected, the unitive consciousness that is the fruit of our meditation practice is a gift to others not only around the corner, but around the world.  
 
If you already have a daily meditation practice, know that you are inter-connected with millions of others. If you want to develop your practice, you can begin by simply sitting in silence for a few minutes each day and build your practice over time and know that you are also inter-connected with millions of others in that way.    
 
This is a time for us to cast away any illusion of separateness so that we can help guide a hurting world that is hungry for a sense of community and belonging. All religious traditions and spiritual expressions have a tremendous opportunity to show the world what coming together for the common good of humanity can look like. We need each other. Together we can make the world a better place. Together we can help each other realize the Kingdom of Heaven within us.
 
As the Psalmist says: “Oh, how good and wonderful it is when people live in unity.”
 
 
Brother Dennis
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