Journey to Oneness are wisdom words from Fr. Thomas Keating spoken during the filming of his last DVD series That We May Be One in July 2016. Some are included in the series; others are from footage published here for the first time. A new word will be posed every Monday throughout the year. May they serve to inspire hope and lift your heart.
English Transcript
This extraordinary invitation to become one with God, that involves the gradual development of consciousness beyond rational consciousness is moving us into what is called now more frequently “non-duality,” which in the Christian mystical tradition is usually called the transforming union. The classical description of John of the Cross of the spiritual journey culminating in the transforming union is the term of the spiritual life. Well, in a way it is, because at that point there is no more domination of our faculties over our conduct or thoughts, but the Spirit is the principle, virtually, of all the actions, and love is the expression of the Spirit’s action within us – deeds of love, practical love, as well as the experience of God’s love.
So, the transforming union is only to become what you are supposed to have been in the first place: a good Christian. And so, whatever happens to you then is God’s. You may have an important apostolate. You may become ill and offer up your suffering for God. Maybe become old and offer this to God … So, whatever happens, it is inspired by God, and so we become, in the deepest sense, co-creators and co-redeemers.
¿Qué es la Unión Transformante?
Esta extraordinaria invitación a hacernos uno con Dios, que implica el gradual desarrollo de la conciencia más allá de la conciencia racional, nos está moviendo a lo que ahora se llama más frecuentemente “la no dualidad,” y que en la tradición mística cristiana usualmente se llama la unión transformante. La clásica descripción de Juan de la Cruz de la travesía espiritual, que culmina en la unión transformante, es el término de la vida espiritual. Bueno, de algún modo lo es, porque en ese punto ya no existe mas el dominio de nuestras facultades sobre nuestra conducta o pensamiento, sino que es el Espíritu el principio, virtualmente, de todas las acciones, y la expresión de la acción del Espíritu en nuestro interior es el amor – actos de amor, amor práctico, así como la experiencia del amor de Dios.
Por eso, la unión transformante es solo transformarnos en lo que se supone que deberíamos haber sido desde un principio: buenos cristianos. Y así, lo que sea que nos suceda entonces es de Dios. Podemos haber tenido un apostolado importante. Quizá luego caemos enfermos y ofrecemos nuestro sufrimiento a Dios. Quizá envejecemos y lo ofrecemos a Dios…Así que no importa lo que suceda, es inspirado por Dios, y así nos volvemos, en el sentido mas profundo, co-creadores y co-redentores.
