This Week's Quotation:
Where the Divine and the Human Meet shows how important it is to meet the world with the creativity of an artist, particularly in these uncertain times: What do we do with chaos?
Creativity has an answer. We are told by those who have studied the processes of nature that creativity happens at the border between chaos and order. Chaos is a prelude to creativity. We need to learn, as every artist needs to learn, to live with chaos and indeed, to dance with it as we listen to it and attempt some ordering. Artists wrestle with chaos, take it apart, deconstruct, and reconstruct from it. Accept the challenge to convert chaos into some kind of order, respecting the timing of it all, not pushing beyond what is possible—combining holy patience with holy impatience—that is the role of the artist. We are all called to be artists in our own way. We need to study the chaos around us in order to turn it into something beautiful. Something sustainable., something that remains.
~ Matthew Fox
Dancing With Chaos
Have you been feeling between worlds—between what was and what will be? Yet, since Great Spirit is weaving the web of life, it’s a mystery beyond the human mind’s capacity to understand. It’s futile to go there. Then the mind is caught up in the chaos.
I deeply resonate with Matthew Fox’s counsel to dance at the border between chaos and stability and approach whatever is before us as an artist with the wonder of a curious beginner’s mind. We can remember the value of chaos—liberating humanity from falsehoods and dispersing seeds to reinvent our world to align with our true and authentic being.
Maintain faith in the underlying divine order. Faith is the power to confront chaos because we know that nothing external has any authority over what heaven has in mind. Whatever challenges we face, let's welcome them, for they are taking us beyond the limits of our mortal selves. We maintain trust that we are supported in mysterious and wondrous ways.
The best way to remain steady is to be flexible. Let's give the status quo a boot and anticipate serendipitous encounters. When things feel heavy, let's dance it out, run it out, walk it out, sing it out—the key is to move the energy in a manner that makes us feel good about ourselves and life.
Dancing with the chaos beyond fear’s illusions will silence the mind’s preoccupation with lack, limitation, and survival. Keep the faith that the wondrous is emerging just around the next bend. Let's dance together with the YES! of life.
About Open Windows
We, the authors of this blog, dedicate it to the transparent exploration of the world's sacred scripture and enlightened spiritual thought. We believe that the original inspiration of all faiths comes from a common source, named and revered in a myriad of ways. With that understanding, the innumerable symbols, beliefs, and practices of faith cease to divide. They become open windows to a common reality that inspires and unifies us. We find deeper insight and nourishment in our own faith and from the expression of faith from others.
We hope these weekly quotations and meditations speak to your heart and soul.
6 Responses
YES ! I’m not a yes man in the sense of being a xerox machine for everyone else’s thoughts. But I am a YES man to life – YES! YES! YES! Love, Tom
Thank you Terri! I need to be reminded that creativity is often not quiet and subtle but involved and right there in the thick of things. What needs to stay centered is my faith and soul. I am grateful for your words and those of Matthew Fox
I must admit I’m a little challenged by Matthew’s assertion that “we need to study the chaos around us in order to turn it into something beautiful.” There is tremendous chaos in Ukraine right now with the bombing and indiscriminate killing of civilians, including children. I’m not quite sure how studying this and “dancing with it” will turn it into something beautiful.
I certainly resonate with your statement, Terri: “Maintain faith in the underlying divine order.” This certainly is our spiritual work as we bring the ordering power of Love into our consciousness and daily living.
Hi Jerry, I also noted that particular quote from Mathew Fox as something I didn’t resonate with. I’ll file that part away in my “hmmm” box. Thanks to Terri for thought provoking writings 🙂
I love how Divine Mind delivers a message to me at the perfect time! I JUST returned from a ‘heavy’ discussion with a friend about a situation that requires this perspective on all fronts. I see no greater reality than this way forward. After decades in this world I see a whole different view on the meaning of Faith. Thank you for this wonderful message.💕
Faith is the power to confront chaos because we know that nothing external has any authority over what heaven has in mind.
That has certainly proved true in my life…..