Foundation of all Revelations - Paragraphs 4 and 5

After a lot of discussion about “knowing” we finally arrive at Roberts simple definition of it. Here is the text: 

“Basically, what this knowing is, is the Creator’s knowing its creation and creation knowing its Creator, simple as that. It is not a knowing about something or of something, it is simply an innate subjectless, objectless, knowing. I believe this knowing is inherent in every act of creation and participates, in some measure, in God’s own knowing.

I might add, this knowing is close to what I define as “faith” (which is not belief). I regard this knowing as the ground of faith, a faith inherent in everyone regardless of whether they recognize it or not. This knowing then, is the ground and foundation of all God’s revelations. It is not only prior to them, but in the end, ultimately participates in God’s own divine knowing.”

The two things I’d like to explore today are, one, her basic definition of knowing, which is “the Creator’s knowing its creation and creation knowing its Creator” and, second, the idea that this type of knowing is “faith.” Creator and creation knowing one another does sound rather complicated and, perhaps, religious, although I do not believe experiencing this type of knowing is necessarily religious as in the way we think of religious. 

I honestly believe that everyone has encountered this simple definition of knowing and two examples spring to mind. The first example is the experience of the sunset. You were not expecting it, but there you are, rapt, and for a few moments you are one with the sunset. You have dropped your stories, your worries, and you are just there. This “thereness” is what Roberts means by knowing. You are not sure what you are knowing, except to say it is lovely. The other example that comes to mind is witnessing a birth. There is something extraordinary about new life and all the innocence and vulnerability it bears on you. Again, for a few moments you are moved beyond words, and there really is no expression of what you are experiencing, except to say that your heart is full beyond measure.

These two examples are the first tastes of the type of knowing that Roberts speaks of. It is possible to cultivate this knowing and practice becoming increasingly aware of these moments of oneness. I’m not sure why more of us do not practice this knowing assiduously as the quality of being while in these moments is priceless. Most of us blow right through these moments thinking it was lovely but I now must get back to my life. When you really stop and compare your regular life to these moments of oneness you may perceive how flat and uninteresting your life really is. Perhaps this returning to oneness is where the idea of religion came from; a study in how to return to these moments, and from there many rituals and doctrine developed?

The other idea I’m interested in today is how she calls this “knowing” faith. At first blush this may not be so obvious, but I can see why she says this because you have to trust that the experience you just had is something other than your usual way of being. That something really did happen even though your mind can’t explain it. That is why it is so helpful to have community, being around others who are exploring, practicing, and genuinely interested in developing the inner person as well as the outer. In thinking about this I understand how odd the idea of community focused on the inner world may sound to folks who are focused on the outer life. It is hard to comprehend a community that honors something you can’t see and that can be very elusive.

In a nutshell, that is what monasteries have been for, yet most of us do not find ourselves in such confined communities. A popular phrase these days is "monasteries without walls” meaning those of us who live regular lives having careers, family, etc. and choose to explore oneness. It is possible, even without walls, to acknowledge these moments for what they are; extraordinary. If you do acknowledge these moments then you are a person of faith. I love this idea that a person of faith can have a very broad definition unrelated to what the church taught me, and I believe that there are many more people of faith than we realize. 

So where does all this discussion leave me today? What do I hear Roberts saying to me? I hear this as an encouragement to continue on the path and stay the course of faith. At the end of the day, and as Finley says, “you have your life and I have mine” and each of us must practice our “faith” daily if we desire to know the Creator as the Creator knows us. For myself it is a continual practice of surrender to what I don’t know from a place of gentle compassion. It also includes meditation and work with the Enneagram, which helps me recognize the unknown places in me.

This gentle practicing has become a rhythm of life and I often identify with Merton who told God that he had no idea where he was going and couldn’t really see the road ahead. Merton also said that he didn’t know himself or even if he was, in fact, really following God’s will. The one thing I’m certain Merton did know is this obscure knowing that leads to a life of faith, which he faithfully walked. May I do the same!