Epiphany sermon by Judith Liro 01.08.2012
In the gospel reading Mark gives the impression that Jesus was one of the people from the whole Judean countryside and from Jerusalem who came out to hear John the Baptizer preach and be baptized. There’s a sense that Jesus comes out into the wilderness for a day or a few days and then has this amazing spiritual experience when he is baptized. Instant enlightenment as befits the Son of God! Scholars, however, paint a different, more human, picture. They think it is likely that Jesus was one of John’s disciples who had been with him in the wilderness for some time. They think that Jesus’s baptism was in the context of a group of disciples who had an intense meditation practice very likely using one of the visions found in the prophet Ezekiel. So in remembering his baptism we should always imagine it in the context of the wild earth, living simply and closely with nature. He was also in community and coming out of a deep-rooted practice of his faith.
Mark writes, “It was then that Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan River by John. Immediately upon coming out of the water, Jesus saw the heavens opening and the Spirit descending upon him like a dove. Then a voice came from the heavens, “You are my Beloved, my Own. On you my favor rests.”
During this Season of Healing we are looking at the centers of energy called the chakras that have been described in Hindu and other traditions and now have been woven into our own culture as it has become more open to wisdom and healing practices from the East. I want to say upfront that I am just learning more about the chakras and am no expert. So with my ‘beginner’s mind’ when I read about Jesus baptism with the lens of the chakras, I wonder if his experience at Baptism is a powerful experience involving the openness of all the chakras, from the root to the crown. That sense of belonging and knowing in every cell that he is Beloved belongs with the root, and yet the heavens opening and the dove descending sounds like the crown. Perhaps those who know more can add some wisdom during the response time. It seems clear that in baptism Jesus experienced a tremendous energizing experience in his whole being. As we follow Jesus our goal is also to live full of this vital energy, to experience full aliveness in God. I believe that this aliveness isn’t just Jesus’ special privilege but what he calls us to embody as Body of Christ and personally.
Our own Christian Tradition has set up an unfortunate dichotomy between spirit and earth and yet when we look closely at the Baptism story as it is informed with recent scholarship, we see the deep connection to the earth’s vital energy. Jesus is that full human-being, representative of the new humanity that holds and bears the fruit of the marriage of earthly and heavenly energies. The Season of Epiphany seems an ideal time to look at our own lives so that we can embody the Spirit as fully as possible. It will be like a tune-up from bottom to top. I’m sure there will be potential for healing all along the way. I hope we can experience healing in an active sense: we share responsibility as we take on healing practices. During this season we’ll be using a book by Brenda Davies, M.D. called The 7 Healing Chakras. Gretchen Stolfo introduced the book to the class in the SLS on “Healing Mantras” last semester. I think it is a well-written introduction with the wisdom of the author’s scientific training as a medical doctor, her experience as a psychiatrist, as well as her experience with spiritual healing. Some would dismiss any talk of chakras as ‘New Age’; however, I think we should be willing to be open to an experiment. Will working with the chakras as we open step by step to embody the divine love of Christ be helpful? Let’s find out!
First, this is how Brenda Davies describes the whole system: “Chakras appear like spinning wheels of light. When healthy they spin in a clockwise direction, drawing in energy from the universal energy field to continually revitalize our whole being. Since they spin at different speeds, each emits a different light frequency, which is seen as a different color of the spectrum. The lowest or base chakra is red, and the others bear the other colors of the spectrum.” This Sunday we are considering healing at the root chakra as a first step to our own wholeness and vitality as we live into our own baptisms. Davies writes that this chakra is situated at the base of the spine, between the tail-bone and pelvic bone. The color associated with it is red. It’s interesting that the color we associate with the Holy Spirit is red. It’s purpose is to keep us grounded in the physical world and help us survive. It’s about stability. These are qualities we don’t usually associate with Spirit.
The blocks and dysfunctions associated with the root chakra align with early childhood, wounds that come before the age of 3-5. Here are the familiar deep wounds of abandonment or never having a sense of belonging and being loved, in extreme cases of self-loathing. Here is the source of addictions where we attempt to fill the hole in our self-esteem or cover over the pain that is often pre-verbal. You may want to get the book and look at some of her suggestions for clearing blocks and healing the root chakra. It’s more than we can take on in a liturgy.
The focus for today is the importance of being grounded in our spirituality, in our path of living into our baptism. Davies writes, “It’s essential to remember that we are spiritual beings in human form and that we need to remain rooted in the earth. So many people who embark on spiritual work forget this…. Beware those who seem to be floating around on some higher plane. Those who are really in touch spiritually are very human and ordinary, albeit in an extraordinary way.” When I read about Jesus and the stories of his life especially in Matthew, Mark and Luke, he seems very grounded and human, not airy-fairy at all. Davies writes, “A sign that the first chakra is open… is that the person has true charisma, not to be confused with charm. It’s a quality which encompasses a strong sense of self, with good esteem and self-worth, but without conceit or arrogance. Charismatic individuals attract others with their power and appeal, while healing energy flows from and around them. Usually the charismatic is not only working from a powerful base, but has balance in the other chakras too and is blessed with humility since the power is spiritual and does not come from the ego.” To me this sounds like the Jesus I read about in the gospels. It also sounds like the Dalai Llama and other strong spiritual leaders in various traditions. It’s a powerful, inviting energy that I hope we can embody more and more as individuals and as community.
Today I’d like us to think about the importance of grounding for our own journeys including the importance of being close to nature. Brenda Davies has a wonderful grounding exercise that is best down barefoot outdoors. It is printed out for you so I hope you’ll take it home and try it once or even several times this coming week.
In the meantime let’s experience a grounding exercise we can do here and now in the circle. You can do it sitting or stand if you prefer. It’s also from her book:
Sit or stand with your back erect if you can, with your feet flat on the ground and a little apart so that you are well balanced. If you are standing, let your whole weight sit in your pelvis and be distributed equally down your legs with your knees just slightly bent. You may like to close your eyes.
Take a few deep breaths and relax as much as you can. With a single thought send a beautiful golden root from the sole of each foot deep down into the earth. Send another from the tip of your spine so that you are now sitting on a tripod of golden roots. Just as a lightning rod grounds electrical energy, if there’s anything you don’t need, allow it to discharge now into the earth. Just let it go. The earth can handle anything, neutralize and recycle it.
Now with each breath, draw up the wonderful energy of the earth. Feel it hold you and nourish you as it comes up through those roots and into your body. See it begin to fill you with wonderful golden light. Strong, earthy, robust energy.
Feel held by the earth. Like a wonderful strong tree, know that you too are strong and that you’re fine. Stay in this place for a few minutes of silence.
Silence
Now gently prepare to withdraw the roots. Know that you remain in constant, intimate contact with the earth through the soles of your feet and your root chakra, which should remain open.
Davies also believes in the power of affirmations. She would connect it with the way God creates in Genesis. When we speak affirming words to ourselves and others, we are co-creating a new reality. She gives several for the root chakra but I’d like for us to try one that connects to the gospel: “I am a beloved child of the universe, deserving of love, peace, and security.” Let’s stay connected and grounded and with eyes closed say these words together.
“I am a beloved child of the universe, deserving of love, peace, and security.”
Now open your eyes. Let’s say these affirming words to the person sitting to our right with a loving glance. Imagine that your words are healing and strengthening: “You are a beloved child of the universe, deserving of love, peace, and security.” And finally. Look around the circle. Let’s say the words one more time using the plural: “We are beloved children of the universe, deserving of love, peace, and security.” Take a moment to believe in the power of the ongoing creation.
In a few moments we’ll have a chance to hear responses and further wisdom and then we’ll reaffirm our baptismal vows. When we come to our vows let us say them from this grounded, embodied place. The vows describe how God’s healing is coming into the world and how we participate and live this healing into being. What does it feel like to experience the vows from a grounded, secure, rooted-in-belovedness place? Let’s continue to strengthen this secure base for living our faith this week with affirmations and grounding exercises.
