Red in Play
Wisely, Step 10 does not emphasize a moral inventory, which becomes too self-absorbed and self-critical, but speaks instead of a “personal inventory.” In other words, just watch yourself objectively, calmly, and compassionately. You will be able to do this from your new viewing platform and perspective as a grounded child of God. “The Spirit will help us in our weakness” (Romans 8:26). From this most positive and dignified position, we can let go of, and even easily admit, our wrongs. We are being held so strongly and so deeply that we can stop holding onto, or defending, ourselves. God forever sees and loves Christ in us; it is only we who doubt our divine identity as children of God.
We now have an implanted position and power whereby we can see ourselves calmly and compassionately, without endless digging, labeling, judging, or the rancor that we usually have toward our own imperfection. Don’t judge, just look can be our motto— and now, with the very eyes of God. That will awaken consciousness, and then things will usually take care of themselves, with even the least bit of honesty and courage. A wonderful Indian Jesuit, Anthony de Mello (1931–1987), used to say, “Awareness, awareness, awareness!”…
… To be fully conscious would be to love everything, on some level and in some way—even our mistakes. To love is to fall into full consciousness, which is contemplative, non-dualistic, and includes everything—even “the last enemy to be destroyed, which is death itself” (1 Corinthians 15:26). That is why we must, absolutely must, love!
-BREATHING UNDER WATER SPIRITUALITY AND THE TWELVE STEPS, RICHARD ROHR
Red in Play
Wisely, Step 10 does not emphasize a moral inventory, which becomes too self-absorbed and self-critical, but speaks instead of a “personal inventory.” In other words, just watch yourself objectively, calmly, and compassionately. You will be able to do this from your new viewing platform and perspective as a grounded child of God. “The Spirit will help us in our weakness” (Romans 8:26). From this most positive and dignified position, we can let go of, and even easily admit, our wrongs. We are being held so strongly and so deeply that we can stop holding onto, or defending, ourselves. God forever sees and loves Christ in us; it is only we who doubt our divine identity as children of God.
We now have an implanted position and power whereby we can see ourselves calmly and compassionately, without endless digging, labeling, judging, or the rancor that we usually have toward our own imperfection. Don’t judge, just look can be our motto— and now, with the very eyes of God. That will awaken consciousness, and then things will usually take care of themselves, with even the least bit of honesty and courage. A wonderful Indian Jesuit, Anthony de Mello (1931–1987), used to say, “Awareness, awareness, awareness!”…
… To be fully conscious would be to love everything, on some level and in some way—even our mistakes. To love is to fall into full consciousness, which is contemplative, non-dualistic, and includes everything—even “the last enemy to be destroyed, which is death itself” (1 Corinthians 15:26). That is why we must, absolutely must, love!
-BREATHING UNDER WATER SPIRITUALITY AND THE TWELVE STEPS, RICHARD ROHR