Interior Vision

Thomas Merton quotes a story regarding a Benedictine monk in the mid-century “who with his mind ascended above all mortal things, at all times in the company of the most blessed angels he stood, by the interior vision, in the presence of the Creator.” Interior vision is understood and reflected when the “disciple whom Jesus loved (might be you and I today) looked into the tomb (our inner soul of sorts)… he saw and he believed!” Here it seems that we do not need evidence as much as we need to be evidence of our belief in The Christ. May we all look inward, act outward, and seek understanding in the act of Divinae Theoriae Intentus – Divine Contemplation.

The monks at the Monastery of the Holy Spirit often remind us that it is in the seeking of understanding and unity with God – we actually begin the peering into our soul and seeing our true selves. Interior vision is the intentional spiritual practice of looking inward, seeking understanding and unity with the God of Jesus Christ. The scriptures are the windows and doors which we can see and walk through the experiences of the sinners who become saints before us – in us – and through us today. Practice may not be in of itself the “only way” to understanding, but it seems to this author the only way to start; Contemplating the Divine.

As this is written and posted on December 10th, may we remember the anniversary of Thomas Merton’s death and celebrate his interior vision which he shared with the world.

pax