An article from "CentreCOMM", February 1994 ...
The Spiritual Influences
and Practices of this Time of Year
by Rev Antoinette Schoenmaker
The Independent Church of Australia believes in acknowledging the spiritual beings and powers which influence and mould our lives.
In the following article Rev Antoinette Schoenmaker writes about
the spiritual impulses which are poured out on the world
during the time from February to April and how we can work together
with these forces for our own spiritual growth.
If we commence the year in a spiritual frame of mind, we rededicate ourselves to our spiritual life and growth. This means placing our gifts at the disposal of the spiritual self growing and emerging within us. In earthly terms we see this reflected in the goals and resolutions we set ourselves at new year. The making of decisions and the establishing of goals enables the light of our spirit to shine and purposes to be worked out.
This practical idealism is reinforced during the Christian season of Lent, a forty day period which this year commences on the 16th February. Lent surrounds us with a spiritual atmosphere which assists us in working towards our goals. The impulses of purification, dedication and consecration are poured from on high into the atmosphere of this world. The result is a renewed impetus to search for the path which leads to fulfilment and the completion of our being.
Because Lent is a time of preparation it has a futuristic orientation. It calls us to look forward to the end goal, to the transformation which can be experienced if we prepare ourselves. It is also a time when we must hold fast to our decisions and ideals. We are tested as to whether we can overcome the obstacles which stand in the way. It is a time when we must exhibit faith and trust in our own divine nature and calling. The image I have of this process is of looking to the top of the mountain and therefore not noticing the rocky terrain underfoot. In the Bible it is depicted as Jesus setting his face toward Jerusalem and letting nothing stop him in his determination to reach that destination and fulfil his destiny.
The focus of meditation for this season is the example Christ gave in the life he lived. Lent is therefore the best time to read and study the gospel stories of his life. It takes great effort to understand the mystery of the resurrection, the mystery of the transformation of the physical body, but through discipline, imagination and devotion we can contact and unite with the mystical presence of Christ and allow his power to work in our souls.
Easter, celebrated this year at the beginning of April, is the when the world soul, comprising all human souls, is exhaling, reaching out. From the commencement of Lent onwards, our souls are beginning to flow out and we become more conscious of other souls and of spiritual influences. Daily communion with spirit will greatly assist in this process. The traditional disciplines and devotions of Lent are not without purpose. They enable us to become aware of our connection with the heavens.
In order for this new consciousness to be born, something within us must die. The autumn season reminds us of this. Lent is the time when we can die to self in order to rise above what has previously held us back. This is why, traditionally, Lent has taken the form of abstinence and fasting and withdrawing from the pleasures of the world. Lent calls for the setting aside of pride and the readiness and willingness to attempt the humblest and most menial of tasks. In our church the emphasis is on spiritual activity rather than renunciation. Lent is therefore the time when we can take on a daily task, a discipline, as a sign of our willingness to unite with the sufferings of Christ in order to share in his transformation. Service - "doing whatever your hand finds to do" - allows the divine within us to rise up and clear away any confusion as to our purpose. Lent is therefore a time for looking to the needs of others and thereby cultivating greater sensitivity.
The build-up to Easter is always intense, in every area of life, but that intensity is the greatest impetus to our spiritual progress. And whether we recognise it or not, we are given more spiritual help at this time of the year than at any other time. The world-soul is expanding into the universe and the spiritual worlds are pouring into us the soul powers of faith, humility, obedience and service. All these things work together to help us. We don't have to do it all on our own.
All the spiritual festivals are opportunities for us to deepen our knowledge of our own spiritual nature and the workings of the heavens upon us. But Lent and Easter offer us the greatest opportunity to progress towards the goals we have set for ourselves. The traditions associated with Lent and Easter, in terms of devotions and liturgical celebrations and the spiritual forces they invoke, all work in our favour.
At this time of the year when the world-soul is rising up to have communion with the heavens, we can work with this spiritual out-breathing or we can work against it. We can remain occupied with our own parochial interests, in which case we will feel out of tune and as if everything is working against us, or we can use it to our benefit and spiritual growth through conscious spiritual practices.