Second Week of Advent, Saturday: Expect Revelation

In the Heart of Winter: A Meditator’s Guide to Advent

Scriptures of the world’s religions may be viewed from various perspectives and will yield different insights depending on the approach. The teachings in scripture can be applied to three levels of our being—physical, mental, and spiritual. Scripture can be seen as literal and historical as well as metaphoric and metaphysical.

The physical level of scripture relates to its historical context and literal meaning. It includes the time in history that it was written and what the context was at the time for those teachings. What happened, who wrote or recorded it, who was the intended reader, and what was its purpose?

The mental level includes the psychological and moral teachings. At this level we find instruction for living a moral and purposeful life according to spiritual principle as it is taught in a particular tradition. This is also a level open to image and metaphor where one can enter into more subtle teachings about the nature of mind and spirit.

The spiritual level conveys insight about spiritual principle and knowledge that is beyond word and thought. This requires us to contemplate, to imagine, and to enter the teaching experientially. At this level, scripture acts as a catalyst to open us to our innate wisdom.

One of the secrets of experiencing insight through studying scripture is to approach it with the expectation that wisdom will be revealed from within you. Spiritual truth is always eternal, never sectarian or new. We have the ability to know truth when we encounter it. We also have the ability to discern that which is not true. When studying scripture, be open to both experiences.

Scripture can provide an experience that connects us to the truth within us. Sometimes a useful passage will be one that we do not readily understand. This “not knowing” provides a space where deeper wisdom can arise. Be curious about the meaning and pray for it to be revealed to you. Expect that it will. All knowledge of God, and God’s creative processes, indwells you at the soul level of your being. Revelation is the unfolding of your innate soul knowledge.

Practice:

Read some passages of the scripture of your choice. Identify its physical, mental and spiritual levels. When you come to something that interests you but you do not fully understand, write about it. First write what you think it means. Then write your questions about it, and identify what you are grappling with.

After your meditation, when your mind is quiet, contemplate it. Examine it. Expect insight to be revealed. It may come to you in that moment. Or, as more frequently happens, it may surface at another time as clear understanding, like a puzzle piece falling into place.

Contemplate:

And those who err in spirit will come to understanding.

–Isaiah 29:24

Do you have the patience to wait until your mud settles and the water is clear?

–Tao te Ching

Reflect:

Can I approach scripture with an open heart and mind?

Am I willing to allow its spiritual meaning to be revealed to me?