Classroom Talk
Fifth and Sixth Grades Archive
Intentionally “shaking it up” in Classroom Talk.
Posted by Eddie on 07/19/2003 23:17:38
“. . . what is the meaning of "faith?" And what part does it have to
play, if any, in this work we are undertaking together? Any ideas on
that? Insights?”
Lets look at three verses from what is considered by many as an
authoritative book on the subject, yet by no means in my not so humble
opinion the only one by any stretch of the imagination. But it does
seem to give a fairly good working knowledge on the subject, as a good
starting point to share insights on Coach’s questions I’ve quoted
above.
“1. Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we
do not see. 2. This is what the ancients were commended for.
3. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s
command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.”
(Hebrews 11:1-3 New International Version)
I’ll take the second question first. Mindfulness is not contingent on
faith. Mindfulness experiences, faith believes, albeit from essence
rather than the mechanical operations of the personality self.
Mindfulness is a type of ‘Knowing’ by ones own immediate experience
through ones essential being. Yet in my experience mindfulness never
seems to be detrimental to my hope or faith in any way, but rather
strengthens them.
I have hope when I turn on the light switch the room will immediately
become filled with light. Having extensive experience with electrical
wiring, if I have just successfully wired the complete circuit to a pre-
tested power source. I have ‘faith’ the lights will come on when I flip
the switch. I count on it. But I do not know it. Knowing it only
happens when I see the light. I no longer have the need for faith, I
know the light is present.
Another example my friend gives me the ticket to a stage play, I have
faith (the substance of a thing hoped for, the evidence of something
not seen with the five senses, such as a title deed) that when I arrive
at the theater I will promptly be admitted, and ushered to my seat. As
I sit in anticipation for the certain to rise I’m pretty sure I am
about to ‘experience’ the sights and sounds of the performance. But as
strong as the sensation might be I am not yet mindful of the experience
of the play. When the curtain rises my whole being becomes heightened
in peak awareness, and for a moment maybe longer if I’m practiced in
the art of Mindfulness; I am one with the play, the energy of the cast
seems to surge through me. I have no need whatsoever for faith to
experience that present moment. I need only mindfulness to “BE” in the
experience.
Now I am going to share an experimental exercise that I ‘hope’ no one
will consider blasphemous or offend anyone. (Exchanging the word love
for the word mindfulness, from I Corinthians chapter: 13 NIV)
“And now I will show you the most excellent way.
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not
mindfulness, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I
have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all
knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not
mindfulness, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and
surrender my body to the flames, but have not mindfulness, I gain
nothing.
Mindfulness is patient, mindfulness is kind, it does not envy,
it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-
seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Mindfulness does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It
always protects, always trusts, always hopes always perseveres
Mindfulness never fails. But where there are prophecies, they
will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there
is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in
part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a
child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a
child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see
but a poor reflection; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in
part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
And now these three remain: faith hope and mindfulness. But the
greatest of these is mindfulness.”
Eddie
Archived 09/22/2003