The Luminance of High Resolve: A Journey Inward

Each one of us, during our journey through life, encounters moments of profound realization and clarity. These moments, where the mysteries of the Universe momentarily reveal themselves, serve as landmarks of our spiritual journey. As American philosopher, theologian, mystic, and civil rights leader, Howard Thurman expressed in "For The Inward Journey," such epiphanies urge us to "Keep fresh before me the moments of my high resolve." They are akin to the North Star, consistently shining, and guiding us through life's most challenging phases.

Yet, the beauty and clarity of these moments often diminish over time. As Thurman notes, "Despite the dullness and barrenness of the days that pass, if I search with due diligence, I can always find a deposit left by some former radiance. But I had forgotten" Many can attest to this experience: a profound revelation that feels as if it will illuminate our path for a lifetime, gradually fades as days turn into weeks, and weeks into months.

Daily life, with its myriad of responsibilities and distractions, has a tendency to eclipse these radiant moments of clarity. It's rarely monumental challenges that cause us to stray from our insights; rather, it's the subtle "dust and grit" of our journey, the "wear and tear" Thurman alludes to. The routine and the mundane, though seemingly insignificant, can, over time, cloud our vision.

French novelist, Marcel Proust insightfully remarked, "The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes." It's not always about encountering new experiences but seeing our everyday experiences through a fresh lens, rekindling the moments of high resolve.

This idea agrees with Albert Einstein's perspective: "There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." If we choose the latter perspective, our moments of high resolve, instead of fading, can be continually rediscovered in our daily lives, making each day a journey of renewed understanding and enlightenment.

Retreating to our inner sanctum, finding moments of stillness amidst the chaos, allows us to reconnect with the Divine, to heed the gentle whisper of our soul: "Keep fresh before me the moments of my High Resolve." This whisper reminds us of our higher purpose and the divine moments that have illuminated our path.

This understanding transcends mere spirituality; it holds immense practical value. When we cherish and remember our moments of high resolve, they act as our anchor, providing stability amidst life's tumultuous seas. Whether confronting known challenges or navigating uncharted waters, these moments offer refuge, strength, and clarity.

Every spiritual journey demands two things of us: the quest for those transformative moments of high resolve, and the continual renewal of our commitment to them. By constantly revisiting and cherishing these moments, we ensure we remain aligned with our spiritual path, even when distractions abound.

The spiritual journey is an intricate dance of discovery and remembrance. As we traverse life's vast expanse, may we consistently discover and cherish our radiant moments of high resolve, letting their luminance guide, inspire, and uplift us.

May Your Journey Be Blessed,
Natalie

The following is an excerpt from the book "For The Inward Journey" by Howard Thurman.

The Moments of High Resolve

Keep fresh before me the moments of my high resolve.

Despite the dullness and barrenness of the days that pass, if I search with due diligence, I can always find a deposit left by some former radiance. But I had forgotten. At the time it was full-orbed, glorious, and resplendent. I was sure that I would never forget. In the moment of its fullness, I was sure that it would illumine my path for all the rest of my journey. I had forgotten how easy it is to forget.

There was no intent to betray what seemed so sure at the time. My response was whole, clean, authentic. But little by little, there crept into my life the dust and grit of the journey. Details, lower-level demands, all kinds of cross currents — nothing momentous, nothing overwhelming, nothing flagrant — just wear and tear. If there had been some direct challenge –a clear-cut issue — I would have fought it to the end, and beyond.

In the quietness of this place, surrounded by the all-pervading Presence of God, my heart whispers: Keep fresh before me the moments of my High Resolve, that in fair weather or in foul, in good times or in tempests, in the days when the darkness and the foe are nameless or familiar, I may not forget that to which my life is committed.

Keep fresh before me the moments of my high resolve.