Continuing on with my model described here, let’s talk about contemplation and action.
Left extreme: Monk. He sits on a pole, contemplating, meditating, ruminating, denying his flesh of very comfort, and every other movement, so that his mind/spirit can ‘be free’. Learn of this idea here. Apparently, some people have spent, literally, years doing this. What a sad waste of a life. They essentially told others, ‘be ye warmed and filled’ but never lifted as much as a finger to alleviate the suffering. Disagree with my analysis? I’d like to hear from you.
Right extreme: Spectator. His whole body convulses in rhythm, applause, cheering and jeering, action, laughter, weeping, whatever he puts before his eye-gate or ear-gate. He denies his mind/spirit of every serious thought so that his flesh can ‘be free.’ You already know about this type of person–it was popularized in the Roman culture and is the god of Americans–sports, music, theater, hollywood, etc. Many people spend as much of their lives as THEY POSSIBLE CAN being a spectator–easily, years! At the average of 4 hours per day spectating (stats on the average American) an 80-year-old has spent 13 straight years of his life spectating. What a sad waste of a life. They essentially told others, ‘There’s nothing worth doing, just eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow, we die!’ Disagree with my analysis? I’d like to hear from you.
Peak Performance: Participant. The meeting of the mind and body, the full participation of both serious contemplation and decisive action. This person says, “I meditate on the ways of God so that I can act out His desires.” “I present my body as a living sacrifice so that my heart/spirit is renewed day by day.”
What’s the left “shoulder?” I think an example may serve us well: when I was a young disciple, another young disciple exclaimed how impressed he was that another young disciple had decided to ‘read the Bible for 40 hours a week as his full-time job.’ Similarly, seminary, theology, religious courses, increasing in knowledge for little practical purpose…these are things we should probably be considering the merits of.
What’s the right “shoulder?” I’ll be more general here: activities which favor the body’s appetites in which serious contemplation isn’t welcomed. I’m interested in your thoughts on this one.
Don’t be a monk-on-a-pole. Don’t be a spectator. Participate in God’s Kingdom, which is all around us!