5.4.15 – Christogram – Psychological: Insecurity/anxiety Vs. Self-esteem/confidence Social: Dependence/demanding Vs. Independence/partnership Moral: Exclusivity/possessiveness Vs. Freedom/self-expression – Economic survival Vs. Individual freedom Vs. Intimate relationships – What does this thinker/leader/writer/speaker say about marriage? That would show a lot about who he/she really is as a person! – Alimony – The only way that the weaker can survive in this world is not by somehow gaining some control over the stronger, but it is only by the weak becoming strong! Even the strong being considerate to the weak is only a secondary strategy to true equality. – Only those who have deeply tasted freedom can take up any commitment sincerely, maybe our society is full of people who are compelled to do the latter without laying the foundation of the former! Self-responsibility > commitment to another – Permanent, exclusive & total – Love = mutual liking, trust & respect – Movies: “Room in Rome” Which is a greater tragedy: The ideal, but fleeting Or The mediocre & lasting? When both the partners experience more freedom & intimacy in a relationship, then the incentive & motivation for long-term commitment to each other is very high! Ending – do they get together as a couple, or is she just showing her athleticism to her lover? Infatuation Vs. Affection Vs. Commitment Is it possible to be both adventurous & wise? 6.4.15 – “The heart wants what it wants” Redeeming desire – can you feel your heart still beating inside your chest, or are you dead already? – Why do I repeatedly leave the Scooty key on the vehicle, even when I am decidedly more careful?! ;-( Why? I want to understand why! How can I live with such experiences, from which I can make absolutely no sense?? – Because the Word became flesh, we can now make words (meaning/sense) out of flesh (raw experience)! – Easter Monday Saul – better late than never! – Dissembling before the face of almighty GOD, our heavenly Father… – You must use Scripture in order to be immersed in its spirit, by taking in large portions of the text, so that you don’t get caught up in the details of the past, but are always being moved into the future as you get in touch with the ever-present One! – I remember the last time I came to Mahabalipuram alone! – Ordinance –> memorial –> feast A perpetual memory! – Perpetua Felicita – Most of the sins of the Old Testament will still be considered unethical/immoral, even in this age, post-sexual revolution! – Compare: The posture of the Buddhist monk & The disposition of the Christian saint – I never imagined that these exotic services & exciting opportunities would be within my reach, so soon! 🙂 But am I sure that I can afford them? It’s not just a matter of money…… And don’t forget, these are just like kids’ toys. – Handling negative emotions: Be still – sit or lie down for a while Breathing exercise & mindfulness meditation Go for a walk outdoors Pray – kneel, raise hands & recite (standard/traditional/biblical prayers) from memory Clarify thinking & decide response Then get on with the day’s work! – Plagues –> Passover –> Exodus –> Law –> Conquest Passion –> Crucifixion –> Resurrection –> Appearances –> Pentecost – Passion – What is the use of suffering, if you don’t complete it with death?! – Cross – the vertical comes first, but it is later cut across by the horizontal! – Compare: Osho & Aurobindo – Love = two-way, voluntary self-giving Distinguish: Mutual & Reciprocal – Personal/private space & Family/social time Make it easier for yourself & others by clarifying borders! Be disciplined (as a general rule), but also be flexible (for the rare exceptions)… 7.4.15 – Sincerity, earnestness & honesty – If we get enough sleep at night, then is it not unnecessary to get any more rest or relaxation during the day? The day is for working, reflecting, relating & entertainment! – There is a kind of love that is threatened & shrinks when encountering other affections, & there is a kind of love that is enriched & flourishes by this diverse exposure! – In what way is Christianity just another religion & in what way is it a radically unique way? In what way am I just another man, & in what way am I utterly singular? In what way is marriage just another relationship, & in what way is it totally different? – Righteousness –> prosperity (& persecution) – There are those who can see & walk even in the dark, & there are those who grope blindly in the daylight! – The double meaning of ‘grope’ – “Soul-anchor” What is the basis of your sense of self? What is the source of your liveliness? What sustains you in adversity? – Maybe morality & brutality are not that far apart! – The financial is much more complicated than just the material dimension of life, & refuses to submit itself to the physiological! I will live in rebellion against this culture. – The fear/concern is that, without sexual exclusivity, romantic love will wither & fade away… How different is mature marital love from the romanticism of youth? – I want to know who you really are, not necessarily all that you do. – But when Salome & the others went into the room, they did not find his body! – In what ways should we not attempt to imitate or emulate Jesus? – His physical resurrection is the guarantee of our eternal life! – This one exceptional historical miracle is the sign that reveals the divine wonder in all of our experienced reality! – The universality & inevitability of (subjective) interpretation: If you had any clue of the magnitude & degree of difference between the divine & the human, then you would realize the impossibility of any direct, unmediated communication between the two! In fact, this is true of all inter-personal interactions…… – Yes, I will live among you, but I never can or will be one of you. This is my ministry! – The only way to save your soul is by risking everything that you have for the sake of your faith! – Faithfulness = liberation through truth! – Do you believe that this change will destroy you or transform you? Both! – If you have to choose between social security & individual freedom, which one would you sacrifice? Unfortunately, in this present culture, they cannot coexist. So the only way to change the present is by bringing in the Future! But of course, that will cost you dearly…… – I remember the last time when he subjected me to intimidating moralism & oppressive guilt, this time, that is not going to happen, because this is not the same old Joe who is going to cry & recant! – Anti-fragility – Presssent – Cross: Subjective dissociation –> physical resurrection! Would you risk psychological death for the sake of spiritual revival? – What is the opposite of vilify? Am I (not) doing this to myself?? – What does it mean to renounce Satan? – Freedom is fearless worship! – Work: Is your job primarily a means of livelihood, through which you also (attempt to) fulfill your mission in the world? Or Is your job primarily the way to express your uniqueness for the welfare of your context, which also pays for (most of) your material needs? – Do not lead us into the temptation of surrendering to any (evil) power on earth (within or without us) which seeks to force us to forfeit our freedom, in exchange for security, wealth, pleasure, etc. For your true power ultimately overcomes all such brute forces! Amen. – Conscience = critical moral consciousness, not dumb submission to given norms! Don’t forget that the most important form of vigilance is self-critique, because the most subtle (& therefore, also the most powerful) form of illusion is self-deception. – Even the celibate monk is a sexual anomaly! – Is marriage primarily a relational, sexual, religious, moral, social or legal arrangement? – Defensive – some people read ‘redefine’ as ‘undermine’! – Blood-bank – few people have found new ways of surviving as a vampire without harming others! Compare (movies): “Only Lovers Left Alive” & “Thirst” If you are living underwater, you better invent some kind of special breathing apparatus, soon! – Sexual, psychological, economic vampirism We are all both donors & recipients. – The divine name: “I AM” = you are not! – In what way is this relationship different from the one you had before? That explains why you cannot do what you did before! – National security Vs. First Amendment Divine authority Vs. Human freedom – “Get up, Joe!” “And do what?” “Nothing… Just be awake.” “Why?” “Because you’re alive, & sleep is a form of death within life itself.” “Hmmm…… What if I don’t wanna be (fully) alive?” “Then please just die! But do NOT waste life.” – It could be that this whole thing is a hoax/rip-off! And why not?! After all, we are all caught up in some vain pursuit or other…… – I came here to meet GOD, & I ended up finding only myself… I am definitely not a mystic, only a theologian. Study > contemplation – Is it possible that someone could be more real when they are absent than when they are present? – Retreat – maybe the increased sleep could enhance the awareness/attention during the waking hours, thereby compensating for the lack of quantity with a concomitant increase in quality…! – Along with the whole company of earth, heaven & hell… – Is the only goal of our ‘deadly foe’, to make us question & reject the chains of our benevolent master?? – Revelation – GOD –> Word –> flesh (his descent) – Kenosis! Liturgy – flesh –> words –> Spirit (my ascent) – Theosis! – The ocean, the mountain & the forest Keep in touch! 🙂 – Maybe Christ was born to die (sacrifice) so that we could have a life worth fighting for (love)! So that we wouldn’t have to be saviours, but could just enjoy being human…… – JIJ: Personal retreat – 6 – 8.4.15, Room no. 3, Scripture Union Camp, Mamallapuram. – Back to RAW – the challenge is to overcome (or bypass) culture/technology/politics, & live in direct unison with people & nature! – Intimacy & commitment Privacy & freedom Contradictory, or complementary? Personal growth & relational health – in fact, they are interdependent! – Distinguish: Quietism & Mysticism Contemplation & Passivity – Fallen – such tall trees & such shallow roots! – Sea-breeze – the kiss of GOD! – The roaring & foaming respiration of the wild waters…… Be inspired, before you finally expire! As long as it lasts, let the spark be as bright as possible. He/she who has lived fully need not struggle (in vain) against the hour of death! – I should take my camera when travelling. – Is the infinite greatness of GOD meant to make us prostrate in worship, or to raise us up to the glory of our divine image? – The victory of our GOD –> the heritage of his people! – “…world without end…” – No matter what happens to me, however I feel, or whatever I do, I can always say this! – Breathe ~ feel ~ think ~ sing! – The festival of unleavened bread & The parable of the Kingdom as yeast Souring Vs. Lightening Corruption Vs. Humour – Removing the curse = blessing! – If you don’t believe in the resurrection, you will die in your sins! – Resignation – The positive side of despair? Surrender – The positive side of domination? – I am glad I miss her! 🙂 – How can those who (still) believe in the authority of the Law (ever) “reign in life”? – No fasting day during Easter week & Christmas week. – Contemplation + company = communion! – Time – personal, relational, social Switch modes, Joe! Personal time (includes private) – work, rest, reflection, entertainment – Can sexual desire & personal love ever be completely separated? Why should they?! Body & soul are always together in life. – Dark violence Vs. Bland existence Vs. Bright wildness Vs. Correct discipline Vs. Passionate service – On the Cross, GOD finally got rid of his alter-ego – the Devil! – Prayer feels more & more dry, mechanical & meaningless to me! Even using the prayer book feels like a heavy burden…… – The greatest cause of all evil in the world today is the absence of the divine in human experience! 8.4.15 – Live in such a way that you will never die! Nothing lasts forever – neither life nor death…… – Only a part-time job can be called ‘tent-making’. It must not only help meet your material needs, but also allow enough time & energy to be used for vocational/missional fulfillment! – Govern = unite, guard & guide – “I sought him whom my soul loves, I sought him, but found him not.” Even the whole world cannot make up for this Absence……! “Have you seen him whom my soul loves?” – Changed… by sleep! – Proclaiming the name (Jesus Christ), but allied with this culture of death Or Seeking the Kingdom by resisting the powers of this evil age Which would you choose? Is it possible to combine the two? – Wrap-up – Sexual capitalism & economic socialism Or Economic capitalism & sexual socialism – I know I am pulling the rug from under my own feet, but there is no way of changing the rug without falling during the transition! – Accept & affirm your spiritual style, by living accordingly. Resist trying to imitate other types which have traditionally been praised. – My ministry (SFG membership) will not be suitable for the charismatics & mystics. Crusaders could benefit. But it will be best for the theologians. Therefore, charismatics & mystics can opt to attend only the retreats & seminars that I conduct. – I am a theologian-crusader. – “Dear folks… I request you all to put the social networking apps on your smartphone (WhatsApp groups, Facebook, Twitter, etc.) – anything other than direct messages & calls – to silent mode (mute/no notification). This will help you to be focused on your own present context, without repeated distraction/disturbance, & to participate in the conversations that interest you, at your leisure… SHALOM” 9.4.15 – Can the fruit of virtue flourish without the soil of piety? – I am coming very close to the hour of choosing between the moderate/diluted life & ministry, and a radical alternative that is both unknown & terrifying, but also irresistible! – I want to live in a way that is outrageous, meaningless & useless according to the prevailing moral, religious & economic standards! By so doing, I want to insult, reject & condemn these (so-called) powers………. – Fuck your principles & values! I am not willing to work, suffer & die for YOUR God. I live by MY faith. – The passive crusader & the active contemplator. Changing the world by witnessing against it through who I am, what I believe & how I live. Communing with GOD through critical, radical engagement with my (inward & outward) context. – My burden is to deliver human culture from the hegemonic clutches of religion, moralism & economics! – In order to be saved, & therefore transform the world, I only need to stop trying to become the saviour! I must only be (fully) who I am, instead of doing a particular ministry – I have to become the witness! – The fundamental conflict in existence is not Good Vs. Evil, but Spontaneity Vs. Necessity! – Maybe my struggle with sexuality, depression, freedom, etc. are more authentically spiritual & ultimately more beneficial, than all my ministry programs put together! – Revolutionize marriage – personalize! Revolutionize ministry – randomize! Revolutionize family – communalize! Revolutionize leisure – spiritualize! – entitative – Marriage: From exclusivity to uniqueness. From permanence to commitment. From romance to intimacy. – We are not GOD & we will never be. So let us be humble & content. But we are human. So let us fully express our freedom! – The exceptional miracle is meant to be a sign of a hidden universal reality! – The Trinity is ONE-in-three, not THREE-in-one. 10.4.15 – Distinguish: Science & Technology – Multifarious Polyvalent The uncontainability of (charismatic) gurus! – The inertial force of normative tradition – Broken people who relate to each other in wholesome ways… WOW! – Female, dark-skinned gurus! – Sacred texts, rituals, places, experiences & persons – Unconverted disciples, syncretic spirituality & ecumenical universalism – Guru organizations – Hey… Where are the extended & diverse narratives in the New Testament – The equivalent of what follows Judges up to the Wisdom books & Prophets? Acts (of the Apostles) sounds too brief & neat. Refer the early church history…… – There are 2 kinds of social service: 1. Being respected by society & building up what is weak. 2. Being opposed by society & breaking down that which is not ultimate. – outlier – eclat – elide 11.4.15 – There was once a tree of the knowledge of good & evil in the midst of the Garden of Eden. And GOD had commanded Adam & Eve to eat of it, because the day they would eat it, their eyes would be opened & they would be transformed from children into adults, and they would become just like the One who created them. Then they could move out into the world (outside the Garden) to cultivate & develop it. But they were tempted by the serpent to doubt the goodness of the One who commanded them to grow up, & terrified them with tales of life “out there in the godforsaken wilderness”… So they refused to eat it, & instead chose to eat of the tree of life, so that they could forever remain perpetual (immortal!) infants – as beloved children of their perfect Father – in the familiar safety & comfort of Eden. By this ingenious move, they would escape altogether all experience of ‘evil’ (they did not know it’s meaning as suffering & death yet!), or so they fondly imagined. This is how they schemed to accomplish their own salvation. Therefore, the LORD was forced to kick them out of the Garden & bar them from re-entering. So this is how we ended up East of Eden, & now we have no choice but to go forward to fulfil our original vocation of maturity – freedom, responsibility & wisdom.
Immanuel Joseph's Blog 