Failing Sight

When our eyes start to fail us, we get used to seeing the world distorted- blurry, out-of-focus. And after a while, that becomes our norm.

Having just had cataract surgery, the new light with which I was blasted was at first shocking. I had gotten used to dim light and blurriness.

Now with new lens, suddenly the world came into focus. WOW!  I could see clearly again!

As enlightening as this was (pun intended) I can hardly imagine how someone in the third world, blinded by cataracts and then having this surgery must feel to walk away fully sighted.

“It must be hard for people who only knew darkness not to be blinded by the light” ―  Melita Tessy

Similarly, I recently watched a video of those who had lived their whole lives colorblind, receive corrective glasses, and for the first time seeing actual colors of objects.

Almost without exception, they were awed and moved to the point of tears.

Are You Spiritually Blind?

The healing of physical blindness and the recovery of spiritual sight have much in common.

In what ways are they similar? Follow along with me now.

For years or for a lifetime we may have believed one thing or one teaching.

We’ve gotten used to it. It may no longer feel comfortable, but we’ve grown accustomed to it.

It’s familiar, and although we may have some doubts or questions, still it feels safer to stay in the known world.

Why should we push beyond where we are right now? Because the light has faded- and our vision is blurry!

Learn to see, and then you’ll know there is no end to the new worlds of our vision.’—Carlos Castaneda

 

Why risk stepping outside of the familiar?

Why attempt it? Why not just stay as you were?  Or give up on the idea all together? 

“When we blindly adopt a religion, a political system, a literary dogma, we become automatons.  We cease to grow.”  Anais Nin

Here’s Why…

Have you ever dared something way outside your comfort zone and succeeded? How did you feel?

Wasn’t your world and worldview changed? Didn’t something open up inside you?  Didn’t the world of possibilities loom?  Didn’t you learn some important things about yourself?

Much of what we were taught or learned simply doesn’t resonate with today’s world.

Some folk have reverted into the comfort of a strict Biblical conservatism. Saves you having to make your own moral and ethical decisions.  Easier!  More comfortable!                                                                         

Therefore, we see things not the way they are, but the way we are!

Others have tossed the whole idea of a belief system overboard. Don’t even bother with those ageless questions of why are we here, what is the purpose of life?  Why this kind of world?

Either extreme is a failure to allow yourself to be challenged- to think outside the box- to seek answers for yourself.

It’s all right and allowable for you to do that, you know…to wonder and ask questions, and even doubt.

Growing Pains

Spiritual growth or awakening isn’t usually dramatic. It’s more like a slow unveiling or disclosure.

But some people can burst through and their eyes and minds open very quickly!

Scary? Sometimes!  Disorienting? Oh yes.  Sometimes people think that they have lost their faith altogether!

What you are really doing is moving into a higher spiritual state. All those questions and doubts actually indicate growth!  It is a time of discovery and revelation!

And no- it’s not easy or comfortable along the way. It takes fortitude- make that grit and guts!

Because…as you gradually let in new information and rethink old teachings, and grapple with new ideas, your carefully constructed world view begins to crumble.

So discombobulating! To the extreme!

But it’s just an interval stage.

Dr. Oliver Sacks asserts,“One must die as a blind person to be born again as a seeing person. It is the interim, the limbo . . . that is so terrible.”

Coming into Clarity

But gradually more and more light enters, your mind stretches, and you have umpteen AH HA moments.

You’ve broken through that limiting wall that was holding you back. And once you have, you can’t believe you dwelt on that other side of the wall for so long.

“Change the way you look at things and the things you look at change.”  Wayne W. Dyer

 Did you ever wonder about the many stories of Jesus healing the blind? Blindness in scripture is more than not being physically able to see.

It’s symbolic of an inability to comprehend, or understand spiritual matters, or indicates a closed mind that chooses ignorance and error.

Scripture often employs the imagery of blindness to describe the spiritual condition of persons who are either unable or unwilling to perceive something beyond themselves.

“There’s none so blind as they that won’t see”.  Jonathan Swift

But spiritual blindness can also afflict believers who fail to perceive their true spiritual condition. Spiritual growth is progressive- and changes over time. If you are at the same place you always were, then you may not realize that you are stagnating.

The Healing of Blindness

One of the first things Jesus promised was recovery of sight to the blind- understand that as- spiritually blind. And what is so fascinating is that there was no one way that he healed blindness.

Sometimes it was instantaneous. One person was told to go wash his eyes- twice. Another time, Jesus used his own spittle on blind eyes.

Why?

Because there’s not one right way for everyone! We are all at different places in our understanding.

Spiritual blindness is not cured with prescription lens, nor is it usually fixed instantly.

Instead, since each person is unique, there are different paths, different techniques, and growth is often a multi-step process

Therefore, you should not grow impatient with your own slowness in understanding. It takes time to ‘get it.’

“The real voyage of discovery lies not in seeking new landscapes but in seeing with new eyes.” Marcel Proust

 And so…What’s the Point?

Am I advocating dismissing faith?

Not at all!                                                                                                                               

I’m talking about rediscovering what an honest faith looks like.

I’m talking about freedom beyond the dogma and creeds   and Bible stories taught as literal truth.

I’m talking about literally breaking out of the religion box!

I am speaking about pushing your belief system into a whole new form and substance.

My friends…I walk among many who have done just that. It’s unbelievably exciting!

Here’s a challenge for you, if you’re ready…a forward step along the way.

• Take something you believe to be absolutely true- about the world, yourself, life, history, your family, God, the Bible, prayer- ANYTHING!
• Now…MESS WITH IT!

You’ll want to keep a record of this. Write it down, or journal it, or set up a special folder on your computer.  And DATE IT.  Someday you’ll want a trail of where you were and how far you’ve come!

Start by asking yourself questions like this:

• Why do you believe this to be true?
• Where and when did you first believe this?
• Do you have proof that this is true?
• Are there any other sides to the issue? Consider them.
• Is there any bias or agenda to the issue- yours or others?
• What is the difference between truth and facts?
• Can something be nonfactual and still be true?
• Can I do some research?  Google it. Read about the issue. Maybe see what others think.
• What would happen if you see this “truth” splinter and fall away?

Go for it!

See where your questions take you. You can always comment here and I’ll answer.  Hopefully we can get a dialogue going.

I think the greatest gift God ever gave us is not the gift of sight but the gift of vision. Sight is a function of the eyes, but vision is a function of the heart.   Myles Munroe