COUNSELING MINISTER’S MUSINGS:
What Language Shall I Borrow?
When I was in grad school forty-something years ago, I was troubled that psychology was defined
as “The Study of Human Behavior,” but nothing was considered true unless it could be measured.
Psychology was working zealously at being a hard science, and nothing was relevant except that
which could be empirically tested. Well, I thought, what about the Mysterium Tremendum: love,
spirit, eye contact across a crowded room, laughter so deep it makes you cry? Some will tell you
those things can be measured, but give me a break, not without forcing them into some kind of
mold that leeches the juice out of them.
Thankfully, over the years science has evolved and now, especially in the field of physics, there is
acknowledgement of the mysterious nature of the universe. They use language like “Zero Point
Field,” “Implicate Order,” and “Source of mind and matter,” but it’s fairly easy to translate. Physicist,
F.David Peat asks,”If this [unknown] source is truly the creative origin of all reality, then how is it
possible to speak of it, or for that matter think of it?”
My immediate response was: That’s why we have myths and stories – to explain the mystery to
ourselves. When we read a parable or good story we can often nod in recognition of some truth
we have experienced. When we study the great stories which have historical significance, we find
much truth that helps us to understand life. The trouble is that some people have to argue about
which is best, so we have wars about what is “right.” There are surely gaps in all of them because
they have been in human hands.
So I keep reaffirming and valuing my story, the story of Jesus and his teachings of love and
compassion. Also, I want to be open to other stories that help me to learn and experience something
new, for example, the stillness of Zen and the sweet innocence of the Bush people of the
Kalahari Desert.
At Christmas time, I think we are more vulnerable to the mystery – to the birth of love in the world,
and how it threatens those who would be powerful over others. We experience the joy as we sing,
and pray for peace. And it inspires us to be better persons as we move into the new year.
Physicist Peat states that everything in the universe, from the mechanical to the sublime emerges
out of a source he refers to as the “Implicate Order.” He says, “The complexity and subtlety of the
universe lie beyond all attempts to capture it in language. The spectrum of orders out of which
mind and matter emerge is extremely subtle and fast-moving…always involved in a constant
creative renewal, emerging out of the underlying Implicate Order.”
Translation: “God is still speaking!”
Sylvia Richards
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