Spiritual/Political/Philosophical Blog on the Nature of Truth and Falsehood and Heaven
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| Sunny Days in Heaven Spiritual/Political/Philosophical Blog on the Nature of Truth and Falsehood and Heaven |
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Tuesday, April 23, 2002 Thought from a Sunny Day (from my book Contentions) 96 Think of heaven as a day at the beach: reclining in the sand, watching the waves, listening to the surf, the wind, the cry of gulls; wading in the water, floating with the waves, falling into the rhythm of life - simply being with others. Watch children at the beach, too. Once they've spent their restless energies, they become quiet, soft, thoughtful, collaborative, and creative (they go to work building sand castles, collecting colored pebbles or shells, bobbing in the water, or walking down the shore. They fall into a peaceful state and rhythm). Heaven is like this every day. Still sound dull, listless, and passive? Yes, it does which seems terrible for most people to imagine - day after endless day living like nothing's important or desired and pursued; no highs, no lows, no whims, no impulses, no contrasts, no thrills? That's right. No thrills. Just the bliss of holding your baby and singing her a sweet song of love; of hearing her first sentence, watching her toddle, having her embrace and kiss your neck, having her fall asleep next to you; or watching your mate dance, observing her features in sunlight, moonlight, or firelight; seeing her in her bath, or at the shore in a loose, billowing dress, feeding your child at her breast, giving birth, or embracing her in the making of a child. All these are Hallmark card moments and romantic clichés which "true" artistes despise as naive and sentimental, but such poignancy in heaven is not emotional as it is here - it is pure grace and the breath of air because these "moments" don't degenerate into ugly realities of a colicky child, a constipated, pregnant wife with morning sickness, a restless and roving husband, insensitive in-laws, a bad job, financial problems, vicious neighbors, a broken down automobile, and a bad case of gas. Heaven is not exciting as humans think, but I believe my stories give some idea of greater possibilities - the extension of curiosity, creativity, and delightful experiences - wonder that is always rewarding and always renewing. This is something worthwhile (and worth dying to Self for), I think. In this life, people often find beauty inspiring, ennobling, deeply satisfying and consoling. In the next life, none of those things are true except for deeply satisfying, for satisfaction there means contemplation, communion, and recognition. Satisfaction means something different when one is all in God, and all others are also. It means a knowing and appreciation that is deeper and transcendent - a form of thanksgiving which is ineffable (but unemotional). I do not see sameness but fluctuations in future life and being which, though subtle, are real and meaningful. I see them as moments of depth apart from ordinary peace and tranquillity. I see them as responsive to different stimuli. For example, there is a difference between starting a piece of music and concluding it. A journey has culminated. You have moved from one state to another (or one place to another). The start has an intention, the journey has a rhythm, and a climax has a satisfaction, a final release of tension. These are fluctuations with certain accompanying feelings or experience. One is richer at the end than at the start. (Yet, I cannot say that after listening to Bach I'm changed particularly.) It is wonderful and human. Being in God does not efface what is also human and creaturely - it just brings it all into peace, balance, and love. Nor does being in God destroy curiosity (wonder), but fuels it since all mysteries are revealed in time; thus it pays to ask since all is answered (while more remains to be 'seen'). posted by Mark Butterworth | 12:46 AM | |
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