Summoning You Own Circle of Wisdom
Summoning your own Circle of Wisdom. A catholi (small c) meditation:
In the Spielberg movie Amistad, John Quincy Adams, ex-President, in preparing his case defending the captured Africans from their overthrow and killing of the crew and bringing the ship to Boston, interviews the tall Black leader.
"What do your people do in a crisis?" he asked.
"We summon our ancestors." was the reply.
That became the core of Adams reasoning before the Supreme Court of the USA. He walked past statues or Washington, Jefferson John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin to summon their spirits to be present in this historic legal debate.
Seven of the nine Supreme Court Justices of the nine were slave Owners. It was pre-Civile war and President Calhoun after two lower courts had freed the Africans was fearful of the pro-slavery contingent and the danger of a slave rebellion were they found innocent. This is a true story to be found in the Encyclopedia Britannica. Adams was played by Anthony Hopkins.
The brilliant young lawyer who had successfully defended the Africans on two previous occasions had begged Adams to join the case, as Adams was known to be brilliant int eh courtroom. Adams told him how to win: "Whoever tells the best story wins."
So now, in the chambers of the Supreme Count it was Adams turn to so convince seven Justices that the Africans were never slaves, and had done what every decent human would have done. The final vote was eight to one in favor of the freedom of the Africans.
Since I have been studying the power of story to influence and persuade lately that movie contains striking, memorable lessons for our spiritual journey.
Native people everywhere believed that when faced with a tough decision, they should summon their ancestors, become still in the presence of their meeting and be instructed and affirmed.
The Catholic imagination believed we live in the Communion of Saints, with a three part church: Triumphant in heaven, militant on earth, and Suffering, those still transitioning. We also believed that we could ask for the intercession of our patron saints, Guardian angels and even Mary herself.
In the book Kyhting (The Art of Spiritual Presence) Louis Savard and Patricia Berne explain the practice of inviting the spirit of a person into a spiritual Presence for a heat to heart, often workless communication. They recall the example of Victor Frankl and the work of Jean Houston.
So here is a meditation I have been experimenting with for several weeks with striking results. Here is the process in six steps. As a beginning frame, recognize that you are the reason your ancestors lived.
Become Quiet in a place apart
Invite your ancestors, patron saints, mentors, role
models, friends, and those who gave you a hand up in life.
Listen and Learn
Be instructed in the giftedness of your life.
Be grateful, grounded and affirmed.
Continue your heart's journey.
Today, I offer this to you. Play with it. It is a powerful truly catholic meditation. After you have done it a few times, risk invite anyone who wishes to show up-. You will be surprised, even possibly delighted. Alleluia.
In the Spielberg movie Amistad, John Quincy Adams, ex-President, in preparing his case defending the captured Africans from their overthrow and killing of the crew and bringing the ship to Boston, interviews the tall Black leader.
"What do your people do in a crisis?" he asked.
"We summon our ancestors." was the reply.
That became the core of Adams reasoning before the Supreme Court of the USA. He walked past statues or Washington, Jefferson John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin to summon their spirits to be present in this historic legal debate.
Seven of the nine Supreme Court Justices of the nine were slave Owners. It was pre-Civile war and President Calhoun after two lower courts had freed the Africans was fearful of the pro-slavery contingent and the danger of a slave rebellion were they found innocent. This is a true story to be found in the Encyclopedia Britannica. Adams was played by Anthony Hopkins.
The brilliant young lawyer who had successfully defended the Africans on two previous occasions had begged Adams to join the case, as Adams was known to be brilliant int eh courtroom. Adams told him how to win: "Whoever tells the best story wins."
So now, in the chambers of the Supreme Count it was Adams turn to so convince seven Justices that the Africans were never slaves, and had done what every decent human would have done. The final vote was eight to one in favor of the freedom of the Africans.
Since I have been studying the power of story to influence and persuade lately that movie contains striking, memorable lessons for our spiritual journey.
Native people everywhere believed that when faced with a tough decision, they should summon their ancestors, become still in the presence of their meeting and be instructed and affirmed.
The Catholic imagination believed we live in the Communion of Saints, with a three part church: Triumphant in heaven, militant on earth, and Suffering, those still transitioning. We also believed that we could ask for the intercession of our patron saints, Guardian angels and even Mary herself.
In the book Kyhting (The Art of Spiritual Presence) Louis Savard and Patricia Berne explain the practice of inviting the spirit of a person into a spiritual Presence for a heat to heart, often workless communication. They recall the example of Victor Frankl and the work of Jean Houston.
So here is a meditation I have been experimenting with for several weeks with striking results. Here is the process in six steps. As a beginning frame, recognize that you are the reason your ancestors lived.
Become Quiet in a place apart
Invite your ancestors, patron saints, mentors, role
models, friends, and those who gave you a hand up in life.
Listen and Learn
Be instructed in the giftedness of your life.
Be grateful, grounded and affirmed.
Continue your heart's journey.
Today, I offer this to you. Play with it. It is a powerful truly catholic meditation. After you have done it a few times, risk invite anyone who wishes to show up-. You will be surprised, even possibly delighted. Alleluia.
posted by Paschal Baute at 11:23 AM
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