In respect to meditation, it occurs to me that many of us tend to focus on God’s “being” in the world in the incarnation of Christ Jesus. Another avenue of contemplation is to focus on God’s “Nothingness”. 

God’s “Nothingness” 

In this approach, we want to “empty” ourselves and enter into the vastness or oneness of God. 

In doing so, we release those anxieties, fears, and emotions that tend to hold us back in both health and spiritual growth. The release of negative forces or bad energy in our lives leads to healing and well-being. 

Also, to focus on God-centeredness, we can avoid the conflict between spirituality and religion, common among all generations today.

enter into the all-encompassing love relationship with God

As we enter into the all-encompassing love relationship with God and begin to release those obstacles that tend to inhibit this relationship, we open ourselves to the special graces of the Holy Spirit. These graces are usually received as “gifts” or intense spiritual experiences, both personal and/or to be shared.  

Examples of such gifts may be “visions” or “healing,” to be used in the service of others. It is important that we do not take these gifts on as something we own or deserve, or as part of our ego. 

Such mystical experiences express the will of God and, in trust, should be offered back to God, once that will is carried out.

At my December 6 retirement party, I was asked, “What advice I would you give to someone just starting in Behavioral Health working with people experiencing mental health issues?”

My response was: that the individual should become a listener, creating a safe space for the ill person to express their deepest feelings and fears without judgment. 

The vulnerability and openness can be simply amazing. 

Most often the answers or improvements can be found within the suffering individual themselves, given the opportunity to share their deepest feelings or emotions. The vulnerability and openness can be simply amazing. 

This sharing can be on a one-on-one or in a group, given other participants are willing to be open and share their own suffering. The best groups that I have facilitated were those when the participants start ministering to each other. 

Early reflections on retirement: I have found a new sense of freedom that I haven’t experienced in my work life, which began in the eighth grade with a paper route. This freedom allows for better attention to my family, more outside activities, especially golf, and tending to some other projects around the house. There is also more time for reading, writing, and meditation. For the first time in years, I have written Christmas greetings to the family prior to the holidays.

I have experienced a certain level of sadness at leaving my patients, but I was able, at the very last moment to spend some time with my replacement when she attended some of my spiritual groups. 

“if we create a vacuum, God will fill it.”

My older brother, who is also retired, has counseled me more than once saying, “if we create a vacuum, God will fill it.”