A call for innocence
Many years ago, I was struck by poet David Whyte’s understanding of innocence. The words which particularly caught my attention were: “innocence is a way of paying attention to where the revelations of the natural world can be heard in their own voice, and you are allowed to be transformed by them.” A Great Invitation: The Path of Risk and Revelation
Whyte’s words floated within my mind again recently. In response, I was left with a question: “Does the Call of our era involve a re-turning to innocence.” This might seem like a strange question, given the enormity of both the social and environmental issues we are currently facing. It might also seem counterintuitive to those of us with a Western mindset fixated on intellectual and technological solutions alone. Yet, given the enormity of the problems we face, perhaps it will be an attitude of innocence (or in Buddhist terminology, a beginner’s mindset) that will enable us to navigate our way through this era. An attitude of innocence is one which is curious; patient; receptive; and observant to what is, rather than a construction of what we would like to see. An attitude of innocence also involves vulnerability in terms of remaining open to wherever the transformative process is guiding, without first knowing the destination.
How can we experience such an innocence in times of turmoil? How can we perceive the revelations of the natural world in their own voice, and in turn be transformed?
In response to the questions posed above, a contemplative orientation lies at the very heart of an attitude of innocence. It is important to clarify that a contemplative orientation does not mean sitting on a cushion all day meditating, seeking some plane of existence beyond the joys and sorrows of daily life. Rather, a contemplative orientation involves deep listening, within the gentling light of lovingkindness. Deep listening involves attuning to the revelations of the natural world; attuning to the revelations of our own human longing to belong in the world; and attuning to inner wisdom’s invitation toward authentic self-discovery at this time. Such engagement with deep listening will undoubtedly involve meditative practices which enable us to experience the deeper rhythms of Life itself. At the same time, deep listening will enable us to engage with our world with wisdom and compassion.
For more on a practice for contemplative self enquiry see www.treeoflifespirituality.com/Contemplative practices/Contemplative self enquiry
