Going Through the Open Space to a New Life

The Two Agreements is not only about my reinterpretation of the New Testament, or the state of the Emergent Conversation; it is also largely about my own spiritual journey. That is why I have written at length about the “open space”. The open space is a time when your old life is gone (either because it was “taken” or because you consciously shed it), but you have not yet arrived at your new life. This transformative period can be incredibly lonely, painful, and anxiety-ridden; however, it is also an opportunity to challenge old beliefs. The goal is to learn to trust the process. I have gone through several such periods, the longest being the five years when I slowly and agonizingly sloughed off my fundamentalist beliefs and eventually emerged in my new spiritual life.

Without a doubt, the most difficult aspect of an open space is how utterly isolated you feel. When you left your old life, you did not just lose places, things or jobs; you have left people behind as well. Perhaps you have lost your spouse through death or divorce; maybe your friends have stopped calling because they can’t or won’t understand what you are going through. You may have even been separated from your church community. The key to arriving on the other side of the open space is to realize that you are NEVER alone, for you are never disconnected from God. I have often heard in my ministry groups stories of people who, in their darkest hour, felt the presence of an “Unseen Hand”, a force that kept them rooted to their lives. For some, it materialized as love for their children; for others it was a mere whisper, promising better things to come. Then, others saw the new life of someone who “made it through” and got the hope of their own new life. In all cases, it was the life force manifested, and it most likely saved their lives.

It is also imperative for anyone finding himself or herself in an open space to connect with community. Unfortunately, this often easier said than done, especially for those facing mental health challenges. In my interfaith support groups, I have heard hundreds of stories, many from people who were rejected or ignored by their fellow church members. One woman literally ran to her church after an incident in her home had left her fearing for her emotional stability. She was without transportation, and she asked the women in the administrative office if one of them could drive her to a nearby mental health facility. Instead of helping her, the women backed away, as if she was a leper. One even asked if there weren’t services for “people like her”.

I heard another story, from a Deacon at a local church. Twenty years before, his wife had broken her leg. For days, his phone never stopped ringing, with callers offering prayers for a speedy recovery. They showed up at his door, bearing enough food for an army. The reaction was very different, however, when his daughter was hospitalized with a mental health issue. Imagine his sorrow when the phone rang not once; when no one showed up with food for his family.

Open spaces do not only apply to individuals; larger entities and organizations can also face transitional periods that threaten their very existence. An example that immediately comes to mind is the United States, with its uncertain economic future and political divisiveness. Christianity has also been at a stand-still for some time, and arguably, is regressing. People, particularly the young, have been leaving fundamentalist churches in droves. According to Tony Jones, author of The New Christians—Dispatches From the Emergent Frontier, millions of church-goers have left the church, never to return. Many of these folks were raised in the church; but now, disillusioned, they are walking away, not only from the church’s teachings, but, in some cases, belief in God. And, that is indeed a travesty.

Very simply, whether we are talking about an individual, a country, or a religious institution, the questions remain the same: “Now that all hell has broken loose, what are you/we going to do about it?” – for your old life died, gone and never to return. And, something needs to be done. Then, the follow up question is, “How much do you/we love yourself/ourselves?”— for the spiritual lesson is to love one’s self enough “resurrect” a new life. Only a genuine love will do.

The answer is also the same; whether we are talking about a person who is facing an open space in regards to their faith, or the religious organization itself, facing the defection of its flock, we must remember that we are never alone. Christ left the Holy Spirit to guide us across every open space as we grow from one new life into the next.

For those of you in the area, on February 24 and 25 I am speaking at the 2012 MULTICULTURAL ALL IN THE FAMILY SUMMIT, hosted by NAMI Tennessee. For more information, contact Kelly Dorsey at 731-444-0040 or kelly.dorsey@att.net . All are welcome!

17 February, 2012 03:45

There was a glitch!

When I was sick… An Introduction to My Sole Ministry

One of the core beliefs of the Emergent Movement is that we are spiritual beings having a human experience. We enrich this experience by remembering/acknowledging/honoring our oneness with the Source and with each

Brian McLaren on mental illness, humanizing the consumers of mental health services

other. To do this, we must embrace our neighbor as an individual, regardless of their state of their physical or mental health, the size of their wallet, the “correctness” of their religious views. For the past ten years, my spiritual ministry has focused on the “consumers” (individuals utilizing mental health services for depression and bipolar disorder), as well as their family and friends. Together, we have created a supportive “understanding family” comprised of a plurality of belief systems.

As “progressive” as we like to think we’ve become, there is still an enormous stigma attached to mental illness. We all have our problems and worries, and we all have coping mechanisms—some healthy, and some, not so much—that we use to deal with them. However, what about those among us that need help managing their mental health challenges? Faced with the very real prospect of rejection, they are silenced and cut off from the world. Unfortunately, many religious institutions reflect this societal view, and this has only further isolated those dealing with mood disorders.

Christ did not shy away from those facing challenges. On the contrary, he gravitated not to the pillars of society, but to those considered less fortunate and even, by some, undesirable, most notably the poor and infirm. It is on His model that I have based my community outreach: first, to in-patients in a behavioral health facility and, secondly, to a population of consumers in the larger community. My interfaith inspirational support meetings provide spiritual encouragement to in-patients and other consumers suffering from mood disorders, regardless of the person’s faith (or lack thereof). The aim is to create a supportive, trustworthy, respectful, non-judgmental, and nurturing atmosphere where these individuals can safely explore and strengthen their spiritual lives.

I begin these meetings with a moment of silence in which we remember “those members of our family that we have yet to meet.” A central message of my ministry is that everyone needs time to be alone with God: what I refer to as visiting the “inner sanctuary”. In my book, The Two Agreements, I discuss the importance of entering the “stillness” and the “Silence” to find one’s own connection with the Source, on their own terms, rather than those imposed upon them by any person, organization, or religious dictates.

I am also sensitive to the fact that mental illness does not only affect the consumer, but their loved ones as well. That’s why I hold a second meeting each week that’s open to friends and family in need of support. Many focus all of their energy and attention trying to help the diagnosed person. Others are frightened away, and remain distant from the person experiencing the illness. Still others report feeling hurt, helpless, overwhelmed, confused, sad, guilty and ashamed because of their loved one’s illness. I believe that no matter the reaction, these family members and friends need support and comfort as they walk the often-challenging road to wellness alongside their loved one. To this end, my ministry includes special events that build a family atmosphere and promotes healthy relationships between people with illnesses, family and friends of different faith systems.

Both of the groups that meet weekly, our understanding family, are part of a larger mosaic. Within that mosaic, our family demonstrates the necessity of unity not only to these individuals and to their loved ones but also, on a deeper level, the human family, our connection with one another, and with God. Spiritually speaking, the esoteric teachings of major religions speak of an underlying unity in all of creation, an eternal oneness.

In these most trying of times, I ask all faith communities to create a safe place, in space and time, for these individuals and their loved ones.  It serves us well to remember Jesus’ words while teaching His disciples a lesson in compassion, “I was sick, and ye visited me.” 

My book is quoted on a highly recognized web site

My book is quoted, the featured quote for today, on the Emergent Village website. I am honored. This web site is the living voice for the emergent movement, the major authors are quoted on here.

The world is my country,
All mankind are my brethren,
To do good is my religion.

Today, we need to have the Conversation more than ever.

 

I invite you to support a controversial conversation: the Emergent Conversation. Some religious leaders wish it to end; others believe it already has ended. I propose that the need for the Emergent Conversation has never been greater. People (especially the younger generations) are disillusioned with traditional Christianity; they hunger for God, yet they are “turned off” by the dogma, the rules, and the narrow version of salvation. By way of example, I recently heard a story about a young Christian woman who had lost her father to cancer. As his condition deteriorated, she became increasingly concerned about “where he was going to go” after he died. Her father had spoken of God, but he had not been a churchgoer, and she was not quite sure whether he believed the “right” things. As she put it, “being a good person is not enough to get you into Heaven.”

These beliefs only serve to cut us off from God, each other, and our spiritual selves. That’s why a central message of my reinterpretation is that there is no separation between man and God, except that which lives in our hearts and minds. This separation, which began with Adam and Eve (the “Lie”) has been perpetrated throughout history by the Christian establishment. It preaches that we are all inherently sinful. Any “sin” we commit (i.e. not following religious dogma) further separates us from God and excludes us from the kingdom of Heaven. Any questioning of this dogma is a sin in and of itself, for it indicates a “disbelief” in Jesus, God, and the Bible.

The Conversation, however, welcomes questions, for it is in this way that we come to God in love, not for fear that we will be banished to hell. There are several things not explained by the traditional interpretation of the Scriptures, that have left many of us feeling marginalized and unworthy for not believing strongly enough. For example:

· How is it Jesus did a perfect work and paid for all sins, yet humankind is still in danger of losing soul salvation, and therefore must continually ask forgiveness for these same sins?

· How is it that God expects us to sincerely love Him with all our heart while under the threat of eternal punishment if we fail to truly, sincerely love Him?

· Why does the phrase “plan of salvation” appear on gospel tracts, but cannot be found in the gospels of the New Testament?

· How is it that the church of today is not, neither can it ever become, a continuation of the church Jesus commissioned?

· Given that Christ’s resurrected life brought victory and salvation, why is the cross, an instrument of death, the celebrated symbol of Christianity?

· How many times have we sat in church wondering why being with God must be so mechanical and boring?

· Jesus taught that all people are one with the Father, so why does the church teach that people are separate and removed from God?

The questions are only the beginning, but my answers to them go a long way to eliminating fear and bringing us closer to God. The aim of the Conversation is to rethink all aspects of Christianity. And I support the undertaking by writing the reinterpretation of the Good News story. This reinterpretation debunks the Lie of our separation from God and teaches us a simple yet often-buried Truth: that we are nothing more (and nothing less!) than aspects of the Creator.

Ironically, one of the most encouraging reactions to the Conversation has come from the Christian establishment; not in the form of acceptance, of course, but rather an attempt to repackage their own mainstream message. The current trend in Christian churches is the kinder, gentler version: more love, less judgment. Yet the basic message remains the same: believe as we do, or you will be forever separated from God and his Kingdom. This makes the Emergent Conversation, or Movement, even more necessary, if only to keep applying pressure.

On the other hand, there are many challenges to the Emergent Movement, not only from those outside it, but also from within. As with any “shiny new toy”, there is the threat of eventual disillusionment. For those seeking instant gratification, there is the very real chance of returning to conformist views or having no spiritual life at all. Therefore, my advice to those joining the Movement is to keep in mind that this is not a “quick fix”, but a long-term commitment to know God and oneself.

It is my sincere desire that it continues and remains a powerful influence on Christianity as the global community undergoes The Great Emergence. That’s why I have pledged to make myself available to congregations wanting to learn to create inspirational support networks and groups for them. For more information on my group work with a plurality of faiths, please visit: The Two Agreements FB page, thetwoagreements.blogspot.com, thetwoagreements.wordpress.com. Contact us: thetwoagreements@yahoo.com