Finding Peace: Embracing Life from the Divine Center

 

Summary

In today's reflection, we explored the concept of "high functioning anxiety," a term that has gained popularity on platforms like TikTok but lacks clinical recognition. This phenomenon highlights a broader issue in our society: the limited language we have to describe the human condition. We often categorize our experiences as either blissful or indicative of emotional illness, neglecting the vast spectrum of life that lies in between. Life, in its essence, is a series of challenges and problems, not necessarily indicative of mental illness but simply part of the human experience.

We delved into the story of Thomas Kelly, a remarkable thinker who discovered a profound spiritual truth after experiencing a personal breakdown. Kelly's journey teaches us that life is not just about seeking moments of bliss or avoiding emotional distress. Instead, we are invited to live from a "Divine Center," a place within us where God's presence resides. This inner sanctuary, akin to the holy of holies in the Old Testament, is where we can find peace and guidance amidst life's challenges.

Kelly's insights remind us that we can live on multiple levels simultaneously. While we engage with the external world, we can also maintain a deep, inner connection with God through prayer and worship. This dual awareness allows us to be fully present in our daily lives while remaining anchored in our spiritual reality.

The invitation today is to cultivate this inner life, to find a phrase or prayer that draws us back to the Divine Center throughout our day. Whether we are facing mundane tasks or significant challenges, we can return to this sacred space within us, where God is always present. This is not about achieving high functioning anxiety but rather embracing a high functioning life in the Spirit.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Language of the Human Condition: Our society often lacks the language to describe the full spectrum of human experiences, leading to a binary view of life as either blissful or emotionally ill. Recognizing the vast middle ground of life's challenges can help us better understand and navigate our experiences. [03:03]

2. Thomas Kelly's Journey: Thomas Kelly's life illustrates how personal breakdowns can lead to spiritual breakthroughs. His discovery of the "Divine Center" within us offers a profound way to live, not just seeking bliss or avoiding distress, but finding peace and purpose in God's presence. [06:07]

3. Living from the Divine Center: We are invited to live from a place of spiritual reality, where God's presence guides us through life's challenges. This inner sanctuary, akin to the holy of holies, is where we can find peace and strength. [07:11]

4. Dual Awareness: We can engage with the external world while maintaining a deep, inner connection with God. This dual awareness allows us to be fully present in our daily lives while remaining anchored in our spiritual reality. [09:13]

5. Cultivating Inner Life: By choosing a phrase or prayer that draws us back to the Divine Center, we can navigate life's challenges with peace and purpose. This practice helps us embrace a high functioning life in the Spirit, rather than succumbing to high functioning anxiety. [10:58]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:46] - High Functioning Anxiety
- [01:20] - Awareness and Overinterpretation
- [02:14] - Placebo and Nobow Effects
- [03:03] - Language of the Human Condition
- [03:31] - Life's Challenges
- [04:29] - The Nature of Story
- [05:20] - Thomas Kelly's Journey
- [06:36] - The Testament of Devotion
- [07:11] - Living from the Divine Center
- [08:11] - The Holy of Holies Within
- [09:13] - Dual Awareness
- [09:32] - Invitation to Inner Life
- [10:41] - High Functioning Life in the Spirit
- [11:54] - Community and Connection

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

1. Philippians 4:6-7 - "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

2. Matthew 6:33 - "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

3. Psalm 46:10 - "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

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Observation Questions:

1. What does the term "high functioning anxiety" refer to, and why is it not considered a clinical diagnosis? [00:46]

2. How does Thomas Kelly's personal breakdown lead to a spiritual breakthrough, according to the sermon? [06:07]

3. What is meant by living from a "Divine Center," and how is it similar to the concept of the holy of holies in the Old Testament? [07:11]

4. How does the sermon describe the concept of "dual awareness" in our daily lives? [09:13]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the sermon suggest that our society's limited language for the human condition affects our understanding of life's challenges? [03:03]

2. In what ways does Thomas Kelly's discovery of the "Divine Center" offer a new perspective on dealing with life's problems? [07:11]

3. How might the practice of maintaining a deep, inner connection with God influence one's ability to handle external challenges? [09:13]

4. What role does prayer play in cultivating a high functioning life in the Spirit, as opposed to high functioning anxiety? [10:58]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a recent challenge you faced. How might viewing it as part of the "vast middle ground" of life's experiences change your perspective? [03:03]

2. Consider a time when you felt overwhelmed. How could living from a "Divine Center" have provided peace or guidance in that situation? [07:11]

3. Identify a phrase or prayer that resonates with you. How can you incorporate it into your daily routine to draw you back to the Divine Center? [10:58]

4. Think about your current level of awareness of God's presence in your life. What steps can you take to deepen this awareness and maintain it throughout your day? [09:13]

5. How can you practice "dual awareness" in your daily activities, ensuring you remain connected to God while engaging with the world around you? [09:13]

6. Reflect on the concept of high functioning life in the Spirit. What practical changes can you make to embrace this way of living more fully? [10:41]

7. How can you support others in your community who may be struggling with anxiety or life's challenges, using insights from the sermon? [11:54]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing the Full Spectrum of Life
Life is not simply a dichotomy of bliss and emotional illness; it encompasses a vast spectrum of experiences that define the human condition. Our society often lacks the language to articulate this complexity, leading to a limited understanding of our emotional and spiritual lives. Recognizing the middle ground of life's challenges allows us to navigate our experiences with greater awareness and acceptance. By acknowledging that life's difficulties are not necessarily indicative of mental illness but part of the human journey, we can approach our struggles with a more balanced perspective. [03:03]

Ecclesiastes 7:14 (ESV): "In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider: God has made the one as well as the other, so that man may not find out anything that will be after him."

Reflection: Think about a recent challenge you faced. How can you reframe it as a part of the broader human experience rather than a personal failure or illness?


Day 2: Spiritual Breakthroughs Through Personal Breakdowns
Thomas Kelly's journey illustrates how personal breakdowns can lead to profound spiritual breakthroughs. After experiencing a personal crisis, Kelly discovered the "Divine Center" within himself, a place where God's presence resides. This inner sanctuary offers a way to live that transcends the pursuit of bliss or the avoidance of distress. Instead, it invites us to find peace and purpose in God's presence, even amidst life's challenges. By embracing this spiritual truth, we can transform our struggles into opportunities for growth and deeper connection with the divine. [06:07]

2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when a personal struggle led to a deeper spiritual insight or growth. How can you remain open to such breakthroughs in your current challenges?


Day 3: Living from the Divine Center
We are invited to live from a place of spiritual reality, where God's presence guides us through life's challenges. This "Divine Center" is akin to the holy of holies, a sacred space within us where we can find peace and strength. By cultivating this inner life, we can navigate the external world with a sense of purpose and direction. This spiritual grounding allows us to face life's difficulties with resilience and grace, knowing that we are anchored in something greater than ourselves. [07:11]

Psalm 46:10 (ESV): "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"

Reflection: Identify a quiet moment in your day to connect with your Divine Center. What phrase or prayer can help you return to this sacred space when life's challenges arise?


Day 4: The Power of Dual Awareness
We can engage with the external world while maintaining a deep, inner connection with God. This dual awareness allows us to be fully present in our daily lives while remaining anchored in our spiritual reality. By cultivating this balance, we can navigate the demands of the world without losing sight of our spiritual identity. This practice helps us to live authentically, integrating our faith into every aspect of our lives. [09:13]

Colossians 3:2-3 (ESV): "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."

Reflection: Consider a daily activity where you often feel disconnected from your spiritual self. How can you incorporate a practice of dual awareness into this activity?


Day 5: Cultivating a High Functioning Life in the Spirit
By choosing a phrase or prayer that draws us back to the Divine Center, we can navigate life's challenges with peace and purpose. This practice helps us embrace a high functioning life in the Spirit, rather than succumbing to high functioning anxiety. By grounding ourselves in God's presence, we can approach our daily tasks with a sense of calm and clarity, knowing that we are supported by a higher power. This spiritual practice empowers us to live with intention and grace, even amidst the chaos of life. [10:58]

Isaiah 26:3 (ESV): "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you."

Reflection: Choose a phrase or prayer that resonates with you. How can you incorporate it into your daily routine to help you stay connected to your Divine Center?

Quotes


"Part of what's happening in our day because we have largely lost the language to talk about The Human Condition, particularly spiritual and moral language in robust psychologically realistic ways, is that increasingly we're coming to have only two categories to talk about our lives: either I'm experiencing Bliss, positive psychology stuff that's great, or if I'm not experiencing that then I must have an emotional illness because we have kind of a Poverty of language for discussing the Human Condition in other ways." [00:02:58]

"Life presents itself to us as a series of problems. I was coming out here to tape this and the toilet overflowed and I did it to myself. I knew that was a danger. I'd been plunging, the water was too high. Oh man, that's so frustrating. It's not actually an emotional illness problem, it's just life." [00:03:57]

"Thomas Kelly was very, very bright, born into a Quaker family, decided when he was in college, 'I will make my life a miracle,' and he about killed himself trying to do that. He was a classic overachiever. When he was getting his second PhD, this from Harvard University, and by the way, if you find yourself getting your second PhD from Harvard, you might be an overachiever." [00:05:20]

"He suffered from a memory lapse and failed, and this triggered a kind of a breakdown in him, which sometimes becomes kind of a breakthrough in his life, and he found God in a deep and remarkable way, found another way of doing life, and he began to write about this because it helped him think and experience it." [00:06:00]

"Deep within us there is a holy place, an inner sanctuary of the Soul, a Divine Center. You might know in the Old Testament there was the temple that was a picture of God dwelling on Earth. That's mainly a picture of God dwelling within us, and at the core of it is the holy of holies, and that's a picture of what lies at the center of your soul." [00:07:55]

"There is a way of ordering our mental life on more than one level at once. On one level we may be thinking, discussing, seeing, calculating, meeting all the demands of external Affairs, but deep within, behind the scenes, at a profounder level, we may also be in prayer and adoration, song and worship, and a gentle receptiveness to Divine breathings." [00:09:01]

"Begin now as you hear these words, as you sit in your chair, whatever you're doing right now, to offer your whole self utterly and in joyful abandon, in quiet glad surrender to him who is within, in secret words of Praise, turn in Humble Wonder to the light, faint though it may be." [00:09:35]

"Being fully present to God within actually enables me to be most fully present to the world and other people, without walk and talk and work and laugh with your friends, but behind the scenes keep up the life of simple prayer in inward worship. Let inward prayer be your last act before you fall asleep and the first act when you awake." [00:10:10]

"This is high functioning, not high functioning anxiety, but high functioning life in the spirit. So right now, select a phrase that you can take with you all day long that helps you to return to the Divine Center, to the Inner Light, to the slumbering Christ Within. Maybe 'your will be done' or maybe 'dearest friend' or maybe 'peace be still' or maybe 'my shepherd.'" [00:10:41]

"Pick a phrase that has Beauty to you, that through which God speaks to you, and let that be the heartbeat of your day. See how many times today, as you're driving, as you're at work, when you are plunging the overflowing toilet, whatever it is that you are doing, that enables you to come back to the holy of holies." [00:11:13]

"Whatever's going on in your outer life, whatever is going on in your body, whatever is going on in your emotions, I promise there is a Divine Center and you can find him there. This is my story." [00:11:34]

"Everybody has a story and everybody's story matters. We want to know about your story, whether it's a story of coming to Faith or a story of spiritual growth, whatever it is, we're here for you." [00:12:03]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?