St. John of the Cross invites us to immerse ourselves in the present moment, suggesting that within this immediacy lies the essence of God. His assertion, "Live in the present moment, and thou shalt find God in everything," serves as a profound reminder of the sacredness embedded in our everyday experiences. In a world often preoccupied with past regrets or future anxieties, this teaching beckons us to embrace the now, where divine presence is not only possible but palpable. The stakes are high: to miss the present is to overlook the divine that permeates our lives.
This call to presence is not merely a suggestion; it is an invitation to transformation. By anchoring ourselves in the present, we cultivate a deeper awareness that allows us to perceive the divine in the mundane. St. John’s wisdom resonates beyond the confines of religious doctrine, urging us to recognize that every moment is infused with potential for spiritual awakening. This perspective invites us to shift our focus from external pursuits to the richness of our immediate experience, where God awaits discovery in the simplest of things.
The image / the metaphor
The imagery in St. John of the Cross's quote is both vivid and evocative. To "live in the present moment" conjures a sense of immediacy, urging us to shed the burdens of time and to fully engage with our current reality. The verbs chosen—"live" and "find"—imply an active participation in life, suggesting that discovering God is not a passive endeavor but rather a dynamic exploration. This felt sense of presence invites us to awaken our senses, to notice the beauty and divinity that surrounds us, often overlooked in our hurried lives.
In the speaker's tradition
St. John of the Cross, a key figure in the Christian mystical tradition, emphasizes the importance of direct experience of God, often through contemplative practices. His teachings resonate with concepts such as kenosis, the self-emptying of one's will to make space for divine presence. This aligns with the notion of bhakti, or devotion, where love and surrender to the divine lead to a profound realization of God's omnipresence. In this light, living in the present moment becomes a form of spiritual practice, a way to align oneself with the divine flow of existence.
In his seminal work, "The Dark Night of the Soul," St. John explores the journey of the soul towards union with God, emphasizing the necessity of letting go of attachments to past and future. This aligns with the Buddhist concept of sunyata, or emptiness, which invites practitioners to release clinging to temporal experiences. Both traditions highlight the transformative power of presence, suggesting that true spiritual awakening occurs when we fully inhabit the moment, allowing the divine to reveal itself in all aspects of life.
Living the teaching
Consider a modern scenario where this teaching can take root: a busy professional caught in the whirlwind of deadlines and meetings. Amidst the chaos, the invitation to live in the present moment becomes a lifeline. By pausing to breathe deeply and engage with the sensations of the present—perhaps feeling the warmth of sunlight streaming through a window or savoring the aroma of freshly brewed coffee—this individual can reconnect with a sense of peace and presence. In these moments, the divine can be felt, transforming the mundane into a sacred experience.
Another application of this teaching may arise in the context of relationships. Imagine a couple navigating a difficult conversation, each partner preoccupied with past grievances or future uncertainties. By consciously choosing to be present, they can listen deeply to one another, fostering an atmosphere of understanding and compassion. In this shared space of presence, the divine can manifest, allowing for healing and connection that transcends the limitations of time-bound thinking. Such moments remind us that love and divinity flourish in the here and now.
A reflection
As we contemplate St. John of the Cross's profound invitation, we are left with a contemplative question: How can I cultivate a deeper awareness of the divine in my daily life? This inquiry invites us to explore the ways in which we might anchor ourselves in the present, seeking the sacred in our routines and relationships. By embracing this practice, we may discover that God is not a distant concept but an ever-present reality, waiting to be acknowledged in every moment.
