Reflections

In a world obsessed with materialism and speed, the concept of spirituality is dismissed as archaic, obsolete, irrelevant.

The “brave new world” has been preoccupied with diverse ideas such as the controversial AI, genetic engineering (cloning, improving humanity through the manipulation of chromosomes, stem cell treatment, gene therapies, scientific experimentation for eternal youth), robotics, and nuclear weapons.

Most people are focused on power, success, wealth, fame (or notoriety), material and commercial concerns, globalization, being “number one.”

Winning wars and greed take precedence over essential humanitarian values, the intrinsic, ethereal, natural, and spiritual.

It is physical and financial strength, and brute force versus wisdom, grace, peace, kindness, compassion and goodness.

In childhood and adolescence, in the era of gentility, we learned our prayers and important religious rites of passage. There were so many lessons at home and in school. It seemed structured and too strict at that time.

But here were reasons (that we could not grasp) for the basic discipline and rigid rules. We would not question our parents and superiors. We simply had to obey.

The foundation was cast for a young adult to face the world and tackle its myriad challenges — physical, mental, emotional.

With the passing years, the rigidity of that foundation wavers or erodes. Young adults begin to develop their individual ideas and ways of doing things. The early impressions and idealism alter in the context of the real world. It is one filled with pressure, greed, anger, hatred, angst.

Matters of tradition, principles, faith, doctrine, and rituals recede to the background. Focus shifts to a different wavelength, to a more pragmatic sensibility.

Many people flow with the tide and choose the path of least resistance. They go though the motions of observing and practicing rites and rituals for convenience or convention. It is, for them, the easy way to go.

It is driven also by the desire to belong, to fit in or to conform to the crowd.

Free spirits and liberal thinkers do their own thing, in their own time. They flout convention and common beliefs.

The brave ones denounce the pretense of society and the hypocrisy of the righteous, judgmental do-gooders. There are too many prayer-perfect pseudo-Pharisees.

On another level, one recalls failures and upheavals, heartbreaks, tragedy, and painfully searing losses. The phases essential to the individuals’ continuing story.

So here are thought-provoking verses from Rainier Maria Rilke that touch the soul.

I love the dark hours of my being.

My mind deepens into them.

There I can find, as in old, letters,

The days of my life, already loved, and held like a

Legend, and understood.

Then the knowing comes, I am open

To another life that’s wide and timeless.

So I am sometimes like a tree

Rustling over a gravesite

And making real the ream of the one its living roots

Embrace:

A dream once lost

Among the sorrow and songs.

Maria Victoria Rufino is an artist, writer and businesswoman. She is president and executive producer of Maverick Productions.

mavrufino@gmail.com