The Third Eye

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“The ego self is the unobserved self. If you do not find an objective standing point from which to look back at yourself, you will almost always be egocentric - identified with yourself instead of in relationship to yourself.

Most of us have been given no training or practice in this, because we thought it was all negative self-criticism instead of calm self-observation (moral examination of conscience instead of examination of consciousness). Ego is not bad; it is just what takes over when you do not see truthfully and completely. That “lamp” does not illuminate things well.

Much of the early work of contemplation is finding that stance and learning how to return there in all moments of emotional turmoil (positive as much as negative), until you can eventually live more and more of your life there. You will find yourself smiling, sighing, and weeping at yourself, more than either hating or congratulating yourself (which of themselves are both ego needs).” -Richard Rohr

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"...a little story found in the tales of the Desert Fathers:

There were three friends who were eager workers, and one of them chose to devote himself to making peace between people who were fighting in accordance with ‘blessed are the peacemakers.’ The second chose to visit the sick. The third went off to live in tranquillity in the desert.

The first toiled away at the quarrels of men, but could not resolve them all, and so he went to the one who was looking after the sick, and he found him flagging too, not succeeding in fulfilling the commandment. So the two men agreed to go and visit the one who was living in the desert. They told him of their difficulties and asked him to tell them what he had been able to do. He was silent for a time, then he poured water into a bowl and said to them, ‘Look at the water.’ It was all turbulent.

A little later he told them to look at it again, and see how the water had settled down. When they looked at it, they saw their own faces as in a mirror. Then he said to them, ‘In the same way a person who is living in the midst of people does not see his own sins because of all the disturbance, but if he becomes tranquil, especially in the desert, then he can see his own shortcomings.” (Benedicta Ward, The Wisdom of the Desert Fathers)


"This story leaves little doubt that tranquility of the heart is not a way to ‘feel good’ while the world is ripped apart by violence and war, but a way to come in touch with our being part of the problem. Prayer leads to spiritual tranquility and spiritual tranquility leads us to the confession of our sins, the sins (bitterness, anxiety, fear, doubt, hate) that lead to war. Making peace between people and visiting the sick are important, but doing these things without a repentant heart cannot bear fruit. When we can see our own sinful self in a tranquil mirror and confess that we too are warmakers, then we may be ready to start walking humbly on the road to peace.” - From Peacework: Prayer, Resistance, Community by Henri Nouwen

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Holy Week - Don't forget to look beneath the floor boards...



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