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Healing Wounds, Body and Soul
As our dialogue broadens in examination of the various issues surrounding faith, its meaning and pursuit, let’s not brush too lightly that web of aspects physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual bound up in the matter of access to faith.
Disability – congenital or acquired -- is among the most intimate of affects which can both govern and confuse along the way in following a path to “clarity of soul” and a coming to terms with self and belief.
In the search for perfection, those most “imperfect” by the norm face a conundrum of contradictions and blocks if they chose a path toward faith. Often the degree of devastation which flaws may cause lead away from it rather than empower. The question “Why?” comes into singular focus -- with particular vehemence for those raised in many of the organized belief systems. For these individuals and those who know them, the impact of disability challenges and colors beliefs where “shortcomings” are as erringly associated with punishment as with rights of purification or strengthening.
Frailties impassion questions involving faith and belief more than any other human condition. Are there any commonalities of truth on the subject among the myriad perceptions one may see through an individual lens? In broaching access to society and faith, there is broad interpretation evident among countries, cultures and ministries.
Reaching a place of faith in the abstract -- if one cannot walk, see, hear, or even conceive with the same ease as others – requires an additional set of sensibilities. Attaining the multidimensional pursuit and exercise of faithfulness, across the full range in which disability is manifested, holds important consideration in the discourse. So too does the need to contribute and be recognized as equipped to contribute equally to the dynamic of religious community.
The acceptance of self and others to the point where the ephemeral plane of belief may be tested is difficult enough. But the achievement of connection – not only to participation in, but to an understanding of the implicit “piece-fullness” inherent in recognizing divinity within the breadth of creation at faith’s core -- is all too often overwhelmingly confounded by layers of deterring tradition and stereotype.
Does the “woundedness of spirit” which disability engenders and those various physical and mental challenges we each to some degree encounter in our daily lives cloud, clear or distract from a path to faithfulness -- or form instead bridges? When an answer to all of these can be “Yes”, the notion deserves more than just peripheral acknowledgment.
Confronting limits is both instructive and essential in the journey of heart and mind to find that perfect trustfulness which is requisite for a commensurate founding of inner peace and faith absolute.
Mark Sakaley is senior policy adviser with the U.S. Department of Justice. In addition, he has been an outspoken advocate for the rights of people with disabilities since an automobile accident injury in 1974 left him a quadriplegic and wheelchair user.
By Mark Sakaley |
May 20, 2007; 5:03 PM ET
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Posted by: urkfar | June 30, 2007 1:07 AM
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Religion is a confusing word and probably should not be used in regard to the beautiful expressions of faith from Mr. Sakaley. Sometimes it seems to me that we combine faith and Religion and act like they are one and the same. Religion is something that is man made and has its limitations for this reason. Many times it is religion that destroys one's faith. Religion is not bad it is just imperfect and is not what I believe Sakaley is focused on.
Faith does not have any limitations as it is from God. Faith is always beautiful. Faith can have little or nothing to do with religion.
Posted by: Tim | June 2, 2007 12:36 PM
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Thank you, Mr. Sakaley, for reminding us again of the GOOD that religion can do rather than the bad. When, as you say, we manage to get beyond “deterring tradition and stereotype,” what God can do is bring us together. As I read the Christian Gospels, I read a great desire on the part of God to bring us together. Sometimes, we will only do that because we are bound to God in faith and that faith commands love of neighbor. Sometimes, we love neighbor and that leads us to God and faith.
“Woundedness of spirit” is a great leveler. Often, where religion shines is when it becomes an avenue for our woundedness to bring healing and wholeness in ways we never expected. I have been part of “12-step” and support groups when the woundedness of others brought me healing. And, mine to them. You are quite right that when this happens it deserves to be proclaimed.
In these “On Faith” exchanges hosted by WaPo-Newsweek, I read lots of people thoroughly disgusted with religion. I agree with them that the way human beings have often made religion a weapon or something to be manipulated for gain thoroughly defeats it purpose. But, there are times when faith and religion will cause us to transcend how broken this world can be. When we get there, we appreciate the beauty and unity of all things and act on the gratitude we feel. Then, there is no disability. Then, we reach out to each other across our differences. And, it makes all the difference in the world, especially when it starts person one to another.
Posted by: labech | May 28, 2007 1:07 PM
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Anonymous:
Many thanks for the words of Henri Nouwen. I looked up the website about him and am quite impressed with his life and work, including the title of his books. I'm definitely going to look up his book, "The Wounded Healer."
Posted by: Soja John Thaikattil, Sydney, Australia | May 28, 2007 3:22 AM
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“.....every time there are losses there are choices to be made. You choose to live your losses as passages to anger, blame, hatred, depression and resentment, or you choose to let these losses be passages to something new, something wider, and deeper”
and
"In our own woundedness, we can become a source of life for others."
The classic words of Henri Nouwen are worth reading and rereading..
Posted by: Anonymous | May 27, 2007 2:50 PM
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Dear Mr Sakaley
First of all may I take this opportunity to express my great admiration for the courage with which you have accepted your tragic lot in life and are making an immense contribution to society.
In comparison to what you have had to endure and how the quality of your life has been compromised as a result of the accident, my sorrows and losses as a woman, about to turn forty eight years of age in a few hours, pale. The productivity of your life makes me feel ashamed to wallow in self pity about my lot in life and the emotional disability I feel and struggle with as a result. Emotional wounds can result in “woundedness of spirit” which would seem as difficult to deal with as any physical disability. I can fully empathise with the struggles and dark night you must have gone through before you came to the state of saying an unconditional “Yes” to your life situation. I marvel at the success you have made of your life. I agree that faith should not be in the abstract. That is not what Jesus taught. We are not expected to say “I will pray for you,” to a person who is hungry or without basic necessities of life or any need for which there is a human solution that is within our power to extend. Christian love and active prayer in that instance is about providing what the person needs, and empty words directed to God to have somebody else do the work, is a mockery of our faith. I do agree that doing what one can for the physical, emotional and mental health of a needy person is what God’s love is about. And it is that health that paves the way for spiritual health in the person who is suffering. To love someone unconditionally, a love that reflects God’s love, in order that the person may love themselves unconditionally and be healed of their brokenness, is the greatest gift we can offer any human being. That is the greatest challenge we face as believers. I believe only God can give us the ability to love as He loves, love that is a verb backed with appropriate action.
I wish you much happiness always, even knowing that there is really nothing that can be adequate compensation for being confined to a wheelchair as a quadriplegic! May you experience as much unconditional love from as many people as possible, and may all the good you do for others be rewarded a million fold, not just in the next life (when you will not be confined to a wheelchair anymore) but in this one!
Soja John Thaikattil
Sydney, Australia
Posted by: Soja John Thaikattil, Sydney, Australia | May 27, 2007 6:27 AM
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Mr.Sakaley
“Confronting limits is both instructive and essential in the journey of heart and mind to find that perfect trustfulness which is requisite for a commensurate founding of inner peace and faith absolute.”
That is so true; it is not hard to have faith in something in the past, even an optimistic faith in some future event comes without much cost. Our lives are not in the past or future but in the present, and that is where genuine faith lives also.
Sincerely
Posted by: 4th watch | May 27, 2007 1:07 AM
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