March 14

March 14

There’s a point at which the questions about what inner work is don’t seem so interesting any more; one works quite simply, without constantly testing, fearing, or challenging the idea of work.

Don’t think about it.

There are days when enough sensation is concentrated to produce an inner harmony. This harmony vibrates at a rate that receives feeling. 

It requires an effort; nothing ever becomes tangible without a corresponding demand. Yet to those who have, much is given; and what this means is not that much ease and goodness is given, but that much material for inner work is given. One is charged what the traffic will bear; and one pays almost by one’s intuition—as a duty and an obligation, and never in order to get anything.

This becomes clear enough with time; but patience is necessary, because the merchant who calculates in this exchange never goes away. The best one can do is keep a very close eye on him.

We inhabit our lives as duty and obligation, not to ourselves, but first to life itself; and then to others. If one isn’t prepared to give one’s Being to life itself first as the primary obligation, and then to others, one can’t prepare for any other possibility of inner action. 

Life itself: already that greater part of God, which may seem elusive. 

The kingdom of heaven is proximate; we’re nearest to it, even in the least of things, if we but knew it. It lies within us; this is where God has His fondest and most intimate wish to dwell. God has no greater love than love of His creation. I can be close to that through the duty and the obligation of my daily work, which is my daily bread. 

A vibration to become attuned to.

So no matter how high or low I find the oscillations of self rising or dipping, I remember this harmonic of Being. It’s sweetness; it’s love. 

It’s also sorrow and effort. 

Regardless of its nature, the obligation is to be invested in it.

Wishing the best for you on this day,

Lee

Lee van Laer is a Senior Editor at Parabola Magazine.