Sunday, March 2, 2014

Embarrassment

"Saints are not only rare but disconcerting. Even in scripture, they are often found embarrassing!" - Bhaduri Mahasaya

Maybe we are actually just embarrassed of ourselves, and people of extraordinary holiness who listen fully with no thoughts in their mind or look deeply into your eyes without judgement are like pools of stillness that reflect the image of yourself back to you.

Saints are people we think of as utterly themselves and simultaneously totally inviolable. Joan of Arc got burnt, but hey! She was totally unabashed about her schizophrenia and not only do we remember her for that, we reckon she's full of greatness! Same thing with Mohammed. Francis of Assisi went around in nothing but a hessian sack (if the portrait paintings are anything to go by) - screw worldly possessions, that dude got totally dope on nature. We're somewhat comfortable remembering these dead people, but if you met Joan in the midst of one of her visions, or caught a whiff of Francis in his sack, you'd be embarrassed.

These people were being themselves.

Why are we embarrassed of selfhood?
Who told you that you are embarrassing?
Who convinced you that parts of your body and mind and feelings need to be hidden?
Why do you still believe them?


Her Holiness