Spirit Matters

Spirit Matters is a new column by Marcia Rutan. Marcia has been a member of Seattle Unity since 2007, and has served as greeter, Earth Care leader, and Prayer Chaplain. She lives with her husband Carl Woestwin… [and is] focused on writing. A published poet, her background includes three yearlong programs (Popular and Literary Fiction, Poetry of Water), five years in Poetry of Nature (Institute of Poetic Medicine), many classes and conferences, and over 15 years in a poetry group. Her heart‘’’s desire is honoring Earth and Spirit in love and beauty.

 

February: Love in Action

In February, love cartwheels through the air as Valentine’s Day, plucking our romantic chords. And, according to Dr. Gary Chapman, five different love languages can convey our affection:  words of affirmation; physical touch; acts of service; gifts; and quality time. It’s fun to consider – what’s my type? What type gladdens my beloveds?

When I walk with my husband Carl around Green Lake, I savor conversation and holding hands. Quality time with my kids is gold!

Carl grooves on Service. When I do a little extra, it thrills him. For instance, if I clean out a closet stuffed with empty product boxes, ancient plastic bags and – oh look – outgrown boots, my guy is buoyant. He returns the favor by growing tomatoes, lettuce, beans, potatoes, raspberries, and more, for our household and neighbors.

Acts of service reminds me of our Unity principle: It is not enough to understand spiritual teachings. We must apply our learning in all areas of life, incorporating them into our thoughts, words, and actions. In other words, walk our talk.

Those of us raised in the USA likely absorbed a Puritanical ethic associating service with sacrifice, martyrdom, guilt, and obligation – not to mention assassination, crucifixion, self-flagellation, and poverty…

But what about the possibility of joy?

A very happy time in my life was mothering children. I loved the bustle in my home, seeing them grow and learn as they explored their talents and world. I loved the hugs, laughter and dance parties!

Some people tenderly care for and nurture kittens or pups.  Artists devote energy to their creations, whether ceramic pots or music. Others focus on community organizing or civic action. All of these require long hours, physical labor, discouragement, and expense. But what’s the reward? Pleasure, soul-satisfaction, and, yes, love and joy.

Our Outreach Team invites donations monthly to support Treehouse, Mary’s Place, and other needs in our community. Louis nurtured and taught Unity children for decades… with a great sense of fun. Carl and Bets shepherd Risers, sorting through hard political/social issues, to give our congregation a chance to step up for a more compassionate country. Our Board puts in long hours to ensure fiscal stability and clear direction for our staff and congregation. The garden party tends the grounds through sun and rain. This is to name a few areas of dedication.

When I lived at the Findhorn spiritual community in Scotland, a primary principle was Work is Love in Action. I like that reframing. Sometimes people who thought they were bigshots arrived and were assigned bathroom duty, to their shock. Everyone learned something about themselves, entitlement, and the transformative power of loving service – no matter how menial or specialized.

Sometimes my heart fills up with gratitude for bus drivers, postal deliverers, firefighters, doctors, nurses, EMTs, librarians, good cops, teachers, shop clerks, trash collectors, farmers, and everyone who keeps our world going. And our Unity staff and volunteers who steadfastly support our congregation. This is Love in Action!

Service isn’t always fun or comfortable. The Buddhist teacher Pema Chodron challenged my attitude to comfort as she memorably described how attachment to having everything just my way can get more and more finicky until I end up trapped in a tiny constricted world…missing out on fun, flow, and adventure. Who wants that?

So sometimes I practice doing one hard thing a day, to expand my comfort zone and not become a stodgy old grump. Let’s face it, life on Earth with other people can be messy and hard. But relationship is the key to greater ease: the living breathing love between and among us reminds us we’re not alone and how we’re all needed for this dance of life.

We don’t need to sacrifice or over-obligate ourselves, walking around like bent-over, cranky, muttering martyrs. We can take care of ourselves and need to, for the sake of sustainable well-being. We can share natural gifts as well as stretch further, enjoying the happy sauce of service through the spiritual practice of Love in Action…

Valentine’s Day is afoot and love is on the airwaves. Whether cleaning out a closet, making a special card for a dear one, creating a delicious meal, or simply holding someone’s hand and listening, we have many opportunities and languages for sharing our affection.

Whatever your love language is, may your heart be nourished and lifted in joy, and may Love in Action bless you with soul-satisfaction.

 

Abou Ben Adhem

by Leigh Hunt, 1834

Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!)
Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,
And saw, within the moonlight in his room,
Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom,
An angel writing in a book of gold:—
Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold,
And to the presence in the room he said,
“What writest thou?”—The vision raised its head,
And with a look made of all sweet accord
Answered, “The names of those who love the Lord.”
“And is mine one?” said Abou. “Nay, not so,”
Replied the angel. Abou spoke more low,
But cheerly still; and said, “I pray thee, then,
Write me as one that loves his fellow men.”

The angel wrote, and vanished. The next night
It came again with a great wakening light,
And showed the names whom love of God had blest,
And lo! Ben Adhem’s name led all the rest.

(Thank you to my mother, born in February, who read this poem to me when I was very young, helping shape my world)

Music Recommendations:

Love, Serve, Remember   Antion

Gotta Serve Somebody   Bob Dylan

Called to Be – Faith Riviera

 

With gratitude,

Marcia Rutan
Poet, prayer chaplain, elder, Earth pilgrim