As in any other addiction, when we become addicted to our own self-images, they begin to control us.
For eg. I am seduced and enticed by a certain image of myself as a whole, holy, loving man who is well on his way to becoming free from attachments. Whe the image comes up in my prayer, it causes me to pose and posture.
I find myself trying to make my prayer fit my image of how a holy man would pray. I no longer really invite God into my prayer. It becomes an act a scene I play out on my own stages for my own edification. God is there in spite of this silliness but for the time being, I am unaware of that saving fact.
So we become addicted to our own self images.
- 'Self Image" from Addiciton and Grace
I am always very conscious that I am very conscious of my religion self-image, especially during Church Services. I have been telling God, take it away as I am play acting and I don't like it.
The images of Christian Li Boey, good Christian Li Boey, responsible Christian Li Boey, leader Christian Li Boey,... ... God-loving Christian Li Boey.
I am conscious when I am singing, when listening to the sermon, when preparing to receive the Holy Communion - the kneeling, the reciting, the praying, the singing.
He broke it one night... ... After meeting up with a friend, and felt really needed to pray for the family. I was thinking about praying in bed since it is late. Then I felt I should kneel and pray, somewhat....
This is the 1st time I felt I want to kneel and pray. So off bed, going to kneel down...
While I was kneeling down, a parallel image of me kneeling down at Service during Holy Communion mirrored.... My thoughts paused and I heard "this one is real, those were play acting"
The attachment to the image of Christian Li Boey, good Christian Li Boey, responsible Christian Li Boey, leader Christian Li Boey, God-loving Christian Li Boey, broken.
Do you have any religious self-image?
We are righteous by faith.
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