What Keeps Us From Seeing Clearly?
We are all so clouded in our spiritual vision. What causes this? Maybe the better question is "What will help us see more clearly?
I would love to think religion could help us out but my experience tells me that is not so. In fact, every time I get around an ultra religious person I sense darkness that wants to overshadow any ability to see clearly.
I can’t answer for others but for me "SEEING MORE CLEARLY" has been a result of a lot less talking and a lot more listening.
I think we block real listening when we are consumed with talking so much. I have come to believe that this earthly experience we are all in has built within it very clear messages that are clear and constant for all who will LISTEN.
I guess the next logical question is "What makes us all talk so much?"
I can’t speak for others but for me it was the need to be right, and to be right I had to make sure everyone agreed with me, and to get everyone to agree with me I had to convince them and to convince them I had to talk a lot.
I found that once I gave up the need to be right I no longer felt the need to talk so much and then I found my self listening a lot more.
Now I listen to the sound of life all around me. The birds sing sweeter. I cry much easier over the silliest of things. I even wonder if my dogs are really angels that can talk but won’t break their cover knowing they will blow my mind. Oh, the things I find myself imagining now that I’ve quit talking so much.
It feels so good to trust in this experience we are all a part of. It feels so peaceful to know that my contribution is not nearly as important as my observation. I am becoming an observer. A observer doesn’t judge or try to make life follow their pattern of belief. A observer observes and learns.
What I have found from being a better observer is that I love deeper, I feel with more intensity, and I trust what is coming next with a greater sense of excitement.
A good observer doesn’t judge or try to make life follow their pattern of belief. A good observer observes and learns.(cliff)
I can imagine that you have really grown throughout your lifetime. And it seems from your writings you are becoming more peaceful and comfortable in your own skin. Ask yourself this though.
What are you doing if you label someone a “good” or “bad” observer?
Just got back from my morning walk with Barney, my beloved basset hound. Sat down here to drink a cup of coffee and read your blog before getting ready for work. Never thought of it before, but it is quite possible that my dog is an angel who just doesn’t want to blow his cover by talking. He has such soulful eyes. Imagination is a wonderful thing, Cliff! Thanks for helping mine along this morning! Love ya, Connie
When God touched me deeply after a desperate cry for help in a VA rehabilitation ward over 35 years ago I was keenly aware of His great unconditional love for me and every other person I came in contact with. But how did I share that knowledge of His love without appearing religious?
This need to “learn” how to be better at doing that and to also learn how not to loose this newly found relationship with God drove me to church. After over thirty years in church I decided that I had drifted far from Him. Though I had permitted myself to be pumped full of years of doctrine and head knowledge I had lost my childlike assurance of my Fathers love and as you say my vision had become very clouded. But thank God I still could see clear enough to see His hand leading me away from this trap that had so quenched my spirit.
I am still wishing to clear the cobwebs and see more clearly and I am more convinced than ever that religions demands, with all of their legalistic undertones, do much more harm than good in us being able to see clear spiritually.
He was always right there with me, all of my life. But the still small voice trying to speak loving words of encouragement and acceptance is so frequently drowned out by the religious clammer of this world.
Very good thought provoking post Cliff.
BTW, I too frequently see a peaceful and angelic nature in our little Pekingnese but there are also times that his escapades are somewhat devilish.
I love the idea of our roles as observers. And as quantum physics has been showing for 50 years now, observation alone is actually plenty to cause significant change in the universe (Copenhagen interpretation).
It may be a core reason for our existence.
(paraphrased)… observe, and see that it is good.
Titfortat……..I agree and decided to take out the word good. I doubt I’m that good at it anyway..ha ha
Connie……I would love to meet your angel Barney. My daughter Mindy has a dog named Baily but I always call him Barney cause I just love that name.
Steve W……I will never forget how when I first started blogging how your clarity and wisdom had such a profound effect on my life. I’m so glad you came out of the cloud and was there to help me.
Redlefty…..thanks for that tidbit of truth. I have always wanted to do more study in the quantum physics area.
Bruce said: “observe, and see that it is good.”
That’s a much more clear way of saying what I meant. Thanks
“What Keeps Us From Seeing Clearly?”
Our sinfulness.
Cliff, sometimes our hastiness to “judge the judger” causes us to jump to conclusions about the meaning of things said. When you said “good observer”, I didn’t take it as a judgment on the observer, or a critique on their ability to observe, but read it as a delineation between the casual observer, and the…
earnest observer
open-minded observer
non-opinionated observer
astute observer
keen observer
hopeful observer
appreciative observer
humble observer
on and on…
Cliff, I am humbled by your words. When I first started readings your thoughts on Eddie N’s site I was so impressed with the words of a pastor who was willing to see the immensity of the flock and leave no “lamb” to get lost in the thickets of doctrine.
Love ya bro.
Bruce and Cliff
I knew that, I was trying to be the “Salt”
So you guys having a Barbecue again this summer?
John, yes you are crusty… er, I mean salty! I love your attitude about people and life, and value your input very much!
It seems like Geo is planning on putting something together at his place this year. I hope it works out. I enjoy those gatherings so much!
Cliff, thanks for this expression of your heart. It is a great comfort to know others who have come to peace along the same winding path.
‘I can’t answer for others but for me “SEEING MORE CLEARLY” has been a result of a lot less talking and a lot more listening.’
Music to me ears, er… eyes!
Thanks.
What prevents us from seeing clearly? The way we think! Our minds put a cloudy film over our eyes so that we cannot ’see’ spiritual truth clearly, especially in easy times. It distorts, muddies and twists so that we are unable to hear what the spirit is saying.
.
The only way to see clearly is to by-pass the mind (Let go our ideas and preconceived notions), be open-hearted, humble (whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child shall not enter it at all) and allow our heart-feelings to teach us. Thinking from this source within us all opens our eyes to a whole new realm and at the same time ‘enlightens’ our minds so we can differentiate between what is REAL and what is not. Sometimes it takes a calamity to jolt us awake.
.
Here in NZ our hearts have been touched by the tragic fires and huge loss of life in Victoria – we mourn with our Aussie cousins. But, out of this, many are feeling that there is a tangible thread that binds us together and the outpouring of love for those who are suffering and grief-stricken, is coming from ‘that place’ within.
Cliff what blessing to be able to listen what a heart and love and grace Jesus always truly heard the person heart and broke down the wall between us all so we can here with a heart of love and grace.
Love Dan
What keeps us from seeing clearly? Insecurity and self-absorption. When I am insecure, I will focus on myself and I will look at other people and situations only from the standpoint of how they are going to affect me. This is the opposite of how Jesus lived. Because He was secure in His position as His Father’s Son, He was able to see clearly into what people needed and to offer them grace and lovingkindness. Clear vision brings about this kind of behavior toward others. And it has a ripple effect. When someone is treated with grace and lovingkindness, he is more likely to be secure in who he is, able to see things clearly, and can then reach out to others in a loving way. Hopefully, that’s what maturity brings about in our lives.
Great insight Connie! I especially agree with you about insecurity since I stuggle with that myself. When Jesus was tempted, Satan (whatever he might be) was trying to get Jesus to doubt His identity and who He really was. I think insecurity is one of our biggest obstacles in truly being able to love one another.
Kiara, I struggle with insecurity, too. I guess most people probably do. Although that issue has improved for me over time, at times it’s still a problem.
The Lord open up my heart and mind to see that there is truly nothing that can take away the love and grace the Father has for me and all people in this world.
There is much going on in this world today but nothing can take away the love of the Lord and that is message that we should give to others.
I thank God for this website and others that keep telling the message of love and grace.
Love Dan
After reading again the comments on what keeps us from seeing clearly, I made a list. Here it is. – judging, over-talking,religion/doctrine, awareness of sin, insecurity, self-absorption. All these definitely keep us from seeing because they are part of our mortal humanity, our soul separated from our spirit. Living from here subjects us to all those things listed as well as sickness of body and mind and eventually death. We get blown about by every wind and have no firm foundation. We can choose to live in this realm, with a certain amount of satisfaction and enjoyment of this world and what it offers, but we remain limited in our understanding to five senses and time, with a blind-folded closed mind. In this realm we constantly judge things and people, We observe in opposites (in/out, up/down etc), and we constantly strive to ‘do’ better as we feel we are falling short of expectations. This world is the world of illusion. Nothing is real – it’s a dreamworld, full of beginnings and endings.
.
I love the attitude I observe in little children when they are learning. They just open themselves to a new experience, abandoning themselves in absorbing and allowing their inner selves full rein. We can learn a lot from them, because this is the only way we can access our real selves, that spirit within us. When we do turn to ‘that place’ we find there is a continuous flow of vibrancy that connects us to others on a higher level. It’s like falling in love, not with just one person but with the whole human race. Our gaze becomes outward, recognizing the spirit in other places and especially in people. Our vibrations increase elevating us, and we begin to understand, seeing things from a new perspective. This realm has no beginning or end. This is the REAL. We feel that as soon as we enter. Somehow we feel whole again and this is because the illusion of being separated has disappeared and we have the joy of knowing we are ONE with our creator and our soul united with our spirit. We become flooded with feelings of love, hope, joy, peace, freedom and compassion.These feelings we can trust, they are eternal and we begin to feel grounded. This is how Jesus walked and he was our role-model – he said ‘metanoia’ (re-think) and follow me.
well said Audrey!
The ego is that which blinds the eyes, life through the lens of ego creates all kinds of fog, life through the lens of consciousness creates all kinds of clarity. How we define is relative/subjective to our own experience, yet is universal in nature.
In my experience doctrines have all been burned off, as well as security in them. Such is the cost of seeking truth, the joy now is now. The peace now is now. The rest now is now. “Abide in me” resonates. We are Christ.
Dito to what Marco said about Audrey. Thank you both.