The World Is Where You Are

IT occurred to me recently how often I have spoken or written about doing our work “in the world” as if “the world” were somewhere outside of who and what we are; I know why this has been so.

Science of Mind is a philosophy, faith and way of life that is transformative. Our principles and our practices guide individuals to look deeply within themselves to an inner experience of God, to their own divine identity and to the creative power of their own thoughts. This is necessary and good. Yet habitual self-focus can eclipse our awareness of the greater whole and allow us to ignore circumstances beyond our personal circle.

In my role as Community Spiritual Leader representing an organization with a global vision, it has been necessary for me to expand beyond sole attention to my own process of awakening and change. The Global Heart Vision has called me to include the entire world and all of creation upon it as the field within which our principles can have effect. I am better for it and I am appreciating that “the world” is wherever we are; here’s is a little Zen story that I feel makes the point very well: Dizang asked Xiushan, “Where do you come from?” Xiushan said, “From the South.”

Dizang inquired, “How is Buddhism in the South these days?”

Xiushan said, “There is extensive discussion.” Dizang asked, “How can that compare to me here planting the fields and making rice to eat?”

Xiushan replied, “What can you do about the world?” Dizang said, “What do you call the world?”

I think it is easy to feel that some activities are more noble or important in their impact on the world than others. But what do we call the world? God has its center everywhere and its circumference nowhere. The world has its center in us and extends all around us. And wherever we do our awakening, or practice loving, or give generously, wherever we forgive and extend compassion and bring forth creative expression, we are doing it in and for the world.