Three weeks ago I found out that DC Comics and Warner Brothers both denied my request to use “Superman” in the title of my book or to use any quotes from the movie. For those of you that have read some of my manuscript, you know the importance I have placed on the Superman Motif. Is it a deal breaker? Heaven’s no. It was for a few weeks however. I was devastated by the news that The Superman Effect would not be a reality. I would be lying to you if I said that I just got back up and created a new reality. Manifestation is hard work and sometimes we are thrown a left hook that knocks us down for the count. Getting back up means I have faith that there is a purpose for everything that happens and that even if every sign points to a dream as an illusion, I choose to trust that the dream seed is the only reality. I decided to get back up and call my book The Super Human Effect: My Quest for the Moment When Everything Changes. I see my book as a testament to connecting to who we are by fully honoring our humanity instead of seeing it as a tragic mistake. My book is not about a man but about a human being who chooses to follow his heart no matter what reality looks like.
In March, you will have the opportunity to read a book about your life too. One of the greatest obstacles to living our life’s calling is the belief that we are alone in the world. That our experiences are unique and that no one can relate to our depth of confusion and despair. We doubt whether there really is a supportive universe that “gets us”. We ask the ultimate question at the heart of our sense of separation: “What is wrong with me?” Our work begins when a specific answer is revealed: “Nothing is wrong with you.” A flood of judgments come our way and every moment becomes an opportunity to deliberately choose acceptance or resistance. The Super Human Effect is about the power of free will to reveal our destiny. When the moment arrives where you become aware that “nothing is wrong with you”, what follows is a shift in perception from doubt to certainty. What is born is the free will to make one choice: join the rest of creation in becoming an instrument of divine grace. What is left behind is the struggle perpetuated by a state of resistance to what we think, feel, do and are.
If you are not enjoying the present moment, ask yourself: “What am I resisting?” In the answer lies your unique path to freedom.
So The Superman Effect will not be. That’s okay. I’ll choose again.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Is There Another Way?
Are we on earth to earn our right to be on earth? Can our value be increased by what we learn, what we believe, how we behave, how many degrees we have, how much money we make or how many people hold us in esteem?
Answering these questions lie at the heart of my confusion and struggle. I find every moment as an opportunity to accept or reject what is.
Is it possible to accept ourselves as being enough just as we are?
So often I hear from people in my practice who are not okay with their lack of motivation. “Dennis, I really want to make this happen but I don’t have a strong enough “why””. “Dennis, I don’t know what is wrong with me. Why can’t I push myself to follow through?”
At a time when our net worth determines our self-worth, it is understandable that any sign we may not have what it takes to do more and be more is amplified with superhuman strength. It takes a great deal of energy to confirm the “little man” inside us. Is it any wonder we feel unmotivated and exhausted?
What if there is another way? What if we fully believed that our value is set at its highest level the moment we are born and there is nothing we can do to diminish or increase it in the eyes of the ultimate reality? What if chasing desires outside of the present moment is an illusion and what we awaken to is the realization that not just is the moment perfect but so are we?
I hold a vision of a life that is not influenced by the vacillations of opinions and judgments, rather only sees the light behind the mask. The light of pure love is in all of us. We were born with this light. We are this light and all that stands between us and who we truly are is acceptance.
Here is an excerpt from the preface of A Course in Miracles. I see it as a moment that was unexpected, divinely inspired and that changed everything. I see it as The Super Human Effect.
"Psychologist, educator, conservative in theory and atheistic in belief. I was working in a prestigious and highly academic setting. And then something happened that triggered a chain of events I could never have predicted. The head of my department unexpectedly announced that he was tired of the angry and aggressive feelings our attitudes reflected, and concluded that there must be another way. As if on cue, I agreed to help him find it. Apparently this Course is the other way."- A Course in Miracles
Answering these questions lie at the heart of my confusion and struggle. I find every moment as an opportunity to accept or reject what is.
Is it possible to accept ourselves as being enough just as we are?
So often I hear from people in my practice who are not okay with their lack of motivation. “Dennis, I really want to make this happen but I don’t have a strong enough “why””. “Dennis, I don’t know what is wrong with me. Why can’t I push myself to follow through?”
At a time when our net worth determines our self-worth, it is understandable that any sign we may not have what it takes to do more and be more is amplified with superhuman strength. It takes a great deal of energy to confirm the “little man” inside us. Is it any wonder we feel unmotivated and exhausted?
What if there is another way? What if we fully believed that our value is set at its highest level the moment we are born and there is nothing we can do to diminish or increase it in the eyes of the ultimate reality? What if chasing desires outside of the present moment is an illusion and what we awaken to is the realization that not just is the moment perfect but so are we?
I hold a vision of a life that is not influenced by the vacillations of opinions and judgments, rather only sees the light behind the mask. The light of pure love is in all of us. We were born with this light. We are this light and all that stands between us and who we truly are is acceptance.
Here is an excerpt from the preface of A Course in Miracles. I see it as a moment that was unexpected, divinely inspired and that changed everything. I see it as The Super Human Effect.
"Psychologist, educator, conservative in theory and atheistic in belief. I was working in a prestigious and highly academic setting. And then something happened that triggered a chain of events I could never have predicted. The head of my department unexpectedly announced that he was tired of the angry and aggressive feelings our attitudes reflected, and concluded that there must be another way. As if on cue, I agreed to help him find it. Apparently this Course is the other way."- A Course in Miracles
Monday, October 4, 2010
A Helping Hand by Dennis Rodriguez
Last Friday I had an experience of pure unmitigated joy. A friend was coming over to my house first thing in the morning to discuss heart intelligence. As I opened the door, I noticed he was looking at something outside my living room window.
“Hey Dennis, take a look. It looks like this pigeon is dying.”
A pigeon laid on its back on my porch and it looked to me like it was gasping for its last breath. I didn’t know what to do. I know nothing about birds and had no idea how to help. No answers, no intuition, nothing. We went inside my house and just five seconds later I said:
“I have to do something. Can you give me a minute?”
I went back outside and fully took in the sorrowful scene. The pigeon was barely moving and all I could see was suffering. My mind had no healing answers but I knew I had to touch the pigeon. So I placed my finger tips on the bird’s left wing.
In an instant, the bird came to life and flew away. My whole being went into a state of bliss. My thoughts were completely halted and I relished in this momentary piercing of the veil. I had witnessed one of God’s creatures through the perception of death and defeat. The pigeon laying on its back, helpless, with every visible sign of death’s door approaching. All it needed was a helping hand, to help it not just come back to life but to feel fully alive and to soar.
It may have just been my perception. A bird aficionado out there might inform me that birds get stuck on their backs all the time. No matter. What I know is that I thought the bird was dying and in a moment, everything changed.
Perhaps this was an example of a shamanic experience. One in which nature’s creatures teach us to view life differently. Is there a deeper message in this story for me? For us all? When all seems hopeless and we feel like our dream is coming to an end, a helping hand comes our way that maybe, just maybe might be all we need to soar.
“Hey Dennis, take a look. It looks like this pigeon is dying.”
A pigeon laid on its back on my porch and it looked to me like it was gasping for its last breath. I didn’t know what to do. I know nothing about birds and had no idea how to help. No answers, no intuition, nothing. We went inside my house and just five seconds later I said:
“I have to do something. Can you give me a minute?”
I went back outside and fully took in the sorrowful scene. The pigeon was barely moving and all I could see was suffering. My mind had no healing answers but I knew I had to touch the pigeon. So I placed my finger tips on the bird’s left wing.
In an instant, the bird came to life and flew away. My whole being went into a state of bliss. My thoughts were completely halted and I relished in this momentary piercing of the veil. I had witnessed one of God’s creatures through the perception of death and defeat. The pigeon laying on its back, helpless, with every visible sign of death’s door approaching. All it needed was a helping hand, to help it not just come back to life but to feel fully alive and to soar.
It may have just been my perception. A bird aficionado out there might inform me that birds get stuck on their backs all the time. No matter. What I know is that I thought the bird was dying and in a moment, everything changed.
Perhaps this was an example of a shamanic experience. One in which nature’s creatures teach us to view life differently. Is there a deeper message in this story for me? For us all? When all seems hopeless and we feel like our dream is coming to an end, a helping hand comes our way that maybe, just maybe might be all we need to soar.
Friday, September 17, 2010
A visit to the planet Kairos by Dennis Rodriguez
There are two words in the Greek language for time. One is chronos- the time of linearity and cool clocks and the other is kairos- the ever-present now, which is observed outside of space-time.
This year, our summer trip to British Columbia was especially beautiful. For the first time in the 15 years my wife and I had been vacationing in Canada, we were to spend a full week on Hornby Island, a piece of hippy paradise between Vancouver Island and the mainland.
On the last day of our Hornby stay, I made a decision. “This time I’m going to make it happen!” I’m going to get up before the crack of dawn, walk 20 minutes with flashlight in hand to Heliwell Provincial Park and snap a picture of the rising Sun over the coastal mountains. I had no idea exactly when the sun would rise. No internet connection or newspaper to fill me in on the handy detail so I set the alarm for 4:30am, noticed that it was still pretty dark out and trotted down the road. It was close to five when I arrived at the Heliwell cliffs. It looked really bright out by then and I couldn’t find the sun. I started getting worried. “Did I miss the sunrise? Why didn’t I prepare more? I don’t get it. The sun rises in the east. The mountains are to the east. Where is the sun?” I sat down on a boulder, dejected, feeling ignorant of my direction.
I then made another decision. “Forget about the sunrise, it was not meant to happen. Just sit and meditate, look out at the ocean and give the mind a break.” I didn’t have a watch except for the one on my camera so I did not time my meditation session. I just sat until I got up and started walking again. I was at peace with missing the execution of my plan. What choice did I have? Heliwell is a loop so instead of walking back, I kept walking through the cliffs in the direction of the forest. I stopped to catch a picture of a lone deer chowing down on early morning grub. I slowed down so as to not scare the five campers in sleeping bags still lying down contemplating God’s celestial creation. About five feet from entering the forest, I am stopped dead in my tracks by a burning heat and blinding light on the right side of my face. I turned to the source and that is when I saw it. The sun had begun to shine its face over the mountains. I took out my camera and with a delectable experience of suspended thought, I snapped the picture.
I had caught up with the kairos moment. It was not lost after all. The lack of diligent preparation did not matter. The meditation was neither a consolation prize nor a diversion. My wanderings were part of the plan; the deer slowed me down and the native campers were in on it. Even though everything was telling me I missed my moment, that my desire would not be met, it all proved to be a necessary part of the planned moment and I ended up at the right place at the right time.
Incidentally, the time on the camera when I snapped the picture was 5:55.
This year, our summer trip to British Columbia was especially beautiful. For the first time in the 15 years my wife and I had been vacationing in Canada, we were to spend a full week on Hornby Island, a piece of hippy paradise between Vancouver Island and the mainland.
On the last day of our Hornby stay, I made a decision. “This time I’m going to make it happen!” I’m going to get up before the crack of dawn, walk 20 minutes with flashlight in hand to Heliwell Provincial Park and snap a picture of the rising Sun over the coastal mountains. I had no idea exactly when the sun would rise. No internet connection or newspaper to fill me in on the handy detail so I set the alarm for 4:30am, noticed that it was still pretty dark out and trotted down the road. It was close to five when I arrived at the Heliwell cliffs. It looked really bright out by then and I couldn’t find the sun. I started getting worried. “Did I miss the sunrise? Why didn’t I prepare more? I don’t get it. The sun rises in the east. The mountains are to the east. Where is the sun?” I sat down on a boulder, dejected, feeling ignorant of my direction.
I then made another decision. “Forget about the sunrise, it was not meant to happen. Just sit and meditate, look out at the ocean and give the mind a break.” I didn’t have a watch except for the one on my camera so I did not time my meditation session. I just sat until I got up and started walking again. I was at peace with missing the execution of my plan. What choice did I have? Heliwell is a loop so instead of walking back, I kept walking through the cliffs in the direction of the forest. I stopped to catch a picture of a lone deer chowing down on early morning grub. I slowed down so as to not scare the five campers in sleeping bags still lying down contemplating God’s celestial creation. About five feet from entering the forest, I am stopped dead in my tracks by a burning heat and blinding light on the right side of my face. I turned to the source and that is when I saw it. The sun had begun to shine its face over the mountains. I took out my camera and with a delectable experience of suspended thought, I snapped the picture.
I had caught up with the kairos moment. It was not lost after all. The lack of diligent preparation did not matter. The meditation was neither a consolation prize nor a diversion. My wanderings were part of the plan; the deer slowed me down and the native campers were in on it. Even though everything was telling me I missed my moment, that my desire would not be met, it all proved to be a necessary part of the planned moment and I ended up at the right place at the right time.
Incidentally, the time on the camera when I snapped the picture was 5:55.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Gandhi's Moment- The Train Ride
Nervous Lawyer to Peaceful Refuser
“The turning point in the lives of those who succeed, usually comes at the moment of some crisis through which they are introduced to their “other selves’.” – Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
(Excerpts from The Essential Gandhi- An Anthology Edited by Louis Fischer Random House, NY 1962)
[When Gandhi landed at Durban, Natal, in May, 1893 his mission was simply to win a lawsuit, earn some money and perhaps, at long last start his career. The lawsuit required Gandhi’s presence in Pretoria, the capital of Transvaal. First-class accommodations were purchased for him at Durban, where he boarded the train for the overnight journey.]
The train reached Maritzburg, the capital of Natal, at about 9 P.M. [A white man entered the compartment] and looked me up and down. He saw that I was a “colored” man. This disturbed him. Out he went and came in with one or two officials. They all kept quiet, when another official came to me and said, “Come along, you must go to the van [third class] compartment.”
“But I have a first-class ticket, said I.
“That doesn’t matter,” rejoined the other. “I tell you, you must go to the van compartment.”
“I tell you, I was permitted to travel in this compartment at Durban and I insist on going on in it.”
“No you won’t, said the official.” You must leave the compartment or else I shall have to call a police constable to push you out.”
“Yes you may. I refuse to get out voluntarily.”
The constable came. He took me by the hand and pushed me out. My luggage also was taken out… and the train steamed away. I went and sat in the waiting room…
It was winter, and winter in the higher regions of South Africa is severely cold. Maritzburg being at a high altitude, the cold was extremely bitter. My overcoat was in my luggage but I did not dare to ask for it lest I might be insulted and assaulted once again. [So] I sat and shivered. There was no light in the room… Sleep was out of the question.
I began to think of my duty. Should I fight for my rights or go back to India or should I go on to Pretoria without minding the insults and return to India after finishing the case? It would be cowardice to run back to India without fulfilling my obligation. The hardship to which I was subjected was superficial- only a symptom of the deep disease of color prejudice. I should try, if possible, to root out the disease and suffer hardships in the process. Redress for wrongs I should seek only to the extent that would be necessary for the removal of the color prejudice.
…This resolution somewhat pacified and strengthened me but I did not get any sleep.
…I suffered further insults and received more beatings on my way to Pretoria. But all this only confirmed me in my determination.
Thus…I obtained full experience of the condition of Indians in South Africa. [Many years later in India, Dr. John R. Mott, a Christian missionary, asked Gandhi, “What have been the most creative experiences in your life?” In reply, Gandhi told the story of the night in Maritzburg Station.]"
A “creative experience”. Did Gandhi create at the Maritzburg Station or did he awaken to an inner knowing; a determination and courage that it was time to make a decision that would forever alter the course of his life? Is this type of insight part of the creative process unfolding in our lives? Can we do anything to speed it along?
I am looking for moments of transformation all the time. This search is a double-edge sword. On the one hand, the search keeps me curious and captivated by inspiring stories such as this one, looking for magic in everyday life. Sometimes with a massive telescope scouring the heavens and everything under the sun for a glimpse of reality, other times with a high-powered microscope dissecting moments into infinitesimal units of meaning that jives with my worldview, never satisfied with a moment that feels stagnant and juiceless.
On the other hand, the search itself keeps me from experiencing and appreciating what is right in front of me. Noticing the cheeky sparkle in my children’s eyes when I drop them off at school, or the sweet music I hear when I tap on the keyboard with my two index fingers as I write these words. There is a constant undulation between wanting more and being in a state of gratitude for what I have. Is this okay? When I surrender to the movement of these two forces in my life, whichever one shows up, everything feels easier. Did Gandhi muster up the courage to forge ahead or did he just say "yes" to the force that said it’s time to move?
The Superman Effect continues to be an experiment, an exploration into life’s mysteries. The journey of remembering who we really are has no end. I don’t have answers today. Besides, questions are much more fun!
“The turning point in the lives of those who succeed, usually comes at the moment of some crisis through which they are introduced to their “other selves’.” – Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
(Excerpts from The Essential Gandhi- An Anthology Edited by Louis Fischer Random House, NY 1962)
[When Gandhi landed at Durban, Natal, in May, 1893 his mission was simply to win a lawsuit, earn some money and perhaps, at long last start his career. The lawsuit required Gandhi’s presence in Pretoria, the capital of Transvaal. First-class accommodations were purchased for him at Durban, where he boarded the train for the overnight journey.]
The train reached Maritzburg, the capital of Natal, at about 9 P.M. [A white man entered the compartment] and looked me up and down. He saw that I was a “colored” man. This disturbed him. Out he went and came in with one or two officials. They all kept quiet, when another official came to me and said, “Come along, you must go to the van [third class] compartment.”
“But I have a first-class ticket, said I.
“That doesn’t matter,” rejoined the other. “I tell you, you must go to the van compartment.”
“I tell you, I was permitted to travel in this compartment at Durban and I insist on going on in it.”
“No you won’t, said the official.” You must leave the compartment or else I shall have to call a police constable to push you out.”
“Yes you may. I refuse to get out voluntarily.”
The constable came. He took me by the hand and pushed me out. My luggage also was taken out… and the train steamed away. I went and sat in the waiting room…
It was winter, and winter in the higher regions of South Africa is severely cold. Maritzburg being at a high altitude, the cold was extremely bitter. My overcoat was in my luggage but I did not dare to ask for it lest I might be insulted and assaulted once again. [So] I sat and shivered. There was no light in the room… Sleep was out of the question.
I began to think of my duty. Should I fight for my rights or go back to India or should I go on to Pretoria without minding the insults and return to India after finishing the case? It would be cowardice to run back to India without fulfilling my obligation. The hardship to which I was subjected was superficial- only a symptom of the deep disease of color prejudice. I should try, if possible, to root out the disease and suffer hardships in the process. Redress for wrongs I should seek only to the extent that would be necessary for the removal of the color prejudice.
…This resolution somewhat pacified and strengthened me but I did not get any sleep.
…I suffered further insults and received more beatings on my way to Pretoria. But all this only confirmed me in my determination.
Thus…I obtained full experience of the condition of Indians in South Africa. [Many years later in India, Dr. John R. Mott, a Christian missionary, asked Gandhi, “What have been the most creative experiences in your life?” In reply, Gandhi told the story of the night in Maritzburg Station.]"
A “creative experience”. Did Gandhi create at the Maritzburg Station or did he awaken to an inner knowing; a determination and courage that it was time to make a decision that would forever alter the course of his life? Is this type of insight part of the creative process unfolding in our lives? Can we do anything to speed it along?
I am looking for moments of transformation all the time. This search is a double-edge sword. On the one hand, the search keeps me curious and captivated by inspiring stories such as this one, looking for magic in everyday life. Sometimes with a massive telescope scouring the heavens and everything under the sun for a glimpse of reality, other times with a high-powered microscope dissecting moments into infinitesimal units of meaning that jives with my worldview, never satisfied with a moment that feels stagnant and juiceless.
On the other hand, the search itself keeps me from experiencing and appreciating what is right in front of me. Noticing the cheeky sparkle in my children’s eyes when I drop them off at school, or the sweet music I hear when I tap on the keyboard with my two index fingers as I write these words. There is a constant undulation between wanting more and being in a state of gratitude for what I have. Is this okay? When I surrender to the movement of these two forces in my life, whichever one shows up, everything feels easier. Did Gandhi muster up the courage to forge ahead or did he just say "yes" to the force that said it’s time to move?
The Superman Effect continues to be an experiment, an exploration into life’s mysteries. The journey of remembering who we really are has no end. I don’t have answers today. Besides, questions are much more fun!
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Charles Darwin and The Origin of Superman
Charles Darwin- The Beagle Expedition- 1831-1836. Henslow wrote: Don’t put on any doubts or fears about your disqualifications, for I assure you that I think you are the very man they are in search of; so conceive yourself to be tapped on the shoulder by your bum-bailiff and affectionate friend…”
Charles Darwin’s study of South American fossils and of the unique bird life of the Galapagos Islands, together with the realization that all living things were interdependent turned his thoughts to evolution. The moment for Charles Darwin lasted 5 years. But hey, with an evolutionary process spanning billions of years, Charles Darwin is entitled to a 5-year moment!
From The Autobiography of Charles Darwin- Collins, St. James Place, London 1858
“I need not here refer to the events of the voyage—where we went and what we did—as I have given a sufficiently full account in my published Journal. The glories of the vegetation of the Tropics rise before my mind at the present time more vividly than anything else. Though the sense of sublimity, which the great deserts of Patagonia and the forest-clad mountains of Tierra del Fuego excited in me, has left an indelible impression on my mind. The sight of a naked savage in his native land is an event which can never be forgotten. Many of my excursions on horseback through wild countries, or in the boats, some of which lasted several weeks, were deeply interesting; their discomfort and some degree of danger were at that time hardly a drawback and none at all afterwards. I also reflect with high satisfaction on some of my scientific work, such as solving the problem of coral-islands, and making out the geological structure of certain islands, for instance, St. Helena. Nor must I pass over the discovery of the singular relations of the animals and plants inhabiting the several islands of the Galapagos archipelago, and of all of them to the inhabitants of South America."
“The voyage of the Beagle has been by far the most important event in my life, and has determined my whole career. I have always felt that I owe to the voyage the first real training or education of my mind; I was led to attend closely to several branches of natural history, and thus my powers of observation were improved, though they were always fairly developed. As far as I can judge of myself I worked to the utmost during the voyage from the mere pleasure of investigation, and from my strong desire to add a few facts to the great mass of facts in natural science. But I was also ambitious to take a fair place among scientific men,—whether more ambitious or less so than most of my fellow-workers I can form no opinion.”
Charles Darwin’s study of South American fossils and of the unique bird life of the Galapagos Islands, together with the realization that all living things were interdependent turned his thoughts to evolution. The moment for Charles Darwin lasted 5 years. But hey, with an evolutionary process spanning billions of years, Charles Darwin is entitled to a 5-year moment!
From The Autobiography of Charles Darwin- Collins, St. James Place, London 1858
“I need not here refer to the events of the voyage—where we went and what we did—as I have given a sufficiently full account in my published Journal. The glories of the vegetation of the Tropics rise before my mind at the present time more vividly than anything else. Though the sense of sublimity, which the great deserts of Patagonia and the forest-clad mountains of Tierra del Fuego excited in me, has left an indelible impression on my mind. The sight of a naked savage in his native land is an event which can never be forgotten. Many of my excursions on horseback through wild countries, or in the boats, some of which lasted several weeks, were deeply interesting; their discomfort and some degree of danger were at that time hardly a drawback and none at all afterwards. I also reflect with high satisfaction on some of my scientific work, such as solving the problem of coral-islands, and making out the geological structure of certain islands, for instance, St. Helena. Nor must I pass over the discovery of the singular relations of the animals and plants inhabiting the several islands of the Galapagos archipelago, and of all of them to the inhabitants of South America."
“The voyage of the Beagle has been by far the most important event in my life, and has determined my whole career. I have always felt that I owe to the voyage the first real training or education of my mind; I was led to attend closely to several branches of natural history, and thus my powers of observation were improved, though they were always fairly developed. As far as I can judge of myself I worked to the utmost during the voyage from the mere pleasure of investigation, and from my strong desire to add a few facts to the great mass of facts in natural science. But I was also ambitious to take a fair place among scientific men,—whether more ambitious or less so than most of my fellow-workers I can form no opinion.”
Monday, August 30, 2010
Go Up Moses by Dennis Rodriguez
Did Moses have a Superman Effect moment?
Moses is revered as a great Hebrew prophet and deliverer of the Jews from Egyptian bondage. The most commonly known moment that literally had fireworks (in the form of a burning bush!) is not, in my opinion the moment that changed everything for Moses. The moment that I see as the beginning of Moses’ transformation is his decision, while an adopted grandson of Pharoah, to kill an Egyptian that was beating a Hebrew slave. Moses knew his true nature as a Hebrew and simply could not stand idly by and allow this injustice to go unpunished. I believe this is Moses’ acceptance of his destiny and there was no turning back.
Exodus 2: 11-15- New International Version
11 "One day, after Moses had grown up, he went out to where his own people were and watched them at their hard labor. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his own people. 12 Glancing this way and that and seeing no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. 13 The next day he went out and saw two Hebrews fighting. He asked the one in the wrong, "Why are you hitting your fellow Hebrew?"
14 The man said, "Who made you ruler and judge over us? Are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian?" Then Moses was afraid and thought, "What I did must have become known."
15 When Pharaoh heard of this, he tried to kill Moses, but Moses fled from Pharaoh and went to live in Midian, where he sat down by a well."
Where was Moses’ first stop after the moment everything changed? Metropolis? Heaven? The Promised Land? Moses first stop was instead to flee in fear to the WILDERNESS.
He would spend most of the rest of his life in the Wilderness, dry desert land with unquenchable doubts, fears, insecurities and just a mustard seed of faith to bring him home.
Moses questioned his own abilities. To paraphrase:
“Me? Are you kidding? LORD, do you NOT hear my stuttering problem? How am I supposed to inspire anyone? You got the wrong guy. The right guy I AM not.”
“Trust me. I’ll give you the words. You can always get into a Joint Venture with your brother. My resources are all around you!”
And then, after the moment everything changed for Israel came and the sea was parted, more WILDERNESS. This time for 40 years.
The complaints came fast and furious:
“You got us out of Egypt to have us die here in the desert? We would have been better off staying where we were. Sure we were captives, prisoners with no control over our lives, but at least we knew what we had!” What do we do now Moses? What do we do NOW?”
“I don’t know!”
This scene played itself over and over again for the rest of Moses’ life. Did he give up? Did the Israelites make it to the Promised Land? Was the impossible made possible?
We revere figures like Moses as great leaders that overcame insurmountable external odds and mythologize their ability to fearlessly press on. Yet, a closer look gives us examples, time and time again of internal doubt, uncertainty, spiritual dryness, impatience, lack of faith and endless hikes up a mountain to find a solitary place to cry for help.
Like the Israelites, I have countless times complained to my Source. “You led me to this new life only to lose inspiration, to lack motivation to press on. It would have been better had I stayed in my old ways. Keeping my thoughts and feelings to myself, controlling how much love I give and receive. At least I knew what I had!”
Still, I hear an inner voice that keeps me going. “Trust me. I’ll give you the words. My resources are all around you!”
Moses is revered as a great Hebrew prophet and deliverer of the Jews from Egyptian bondage. The most commonly known moment that literally had fireworks (in the form of a burning bush!) is not, in my opinion the moment that changed everything for Moses. The moment that I see as the beginning of Moses’ transformation is his decision, while an adopted grandson of Pharoah, to kill an Egyptian that was beating a Hebrew slave. Moses knew his true nature as a Hebrew and simply could not stand idly by and allow this injustice to go unpunished. I believe this is Moses’ acceptance of his destiny and there was no turning back.
Exodus 2: 11-15- New International Version
11 "One day, after Moses had grown up, he went out to where his own people were and watched them at their hard labor. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his own people. 12 Glancing this way and that and seeing no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. 13 The next day he went out and saw two Hebrews fighting. He asked the one in the wrong, "Why are you hitting your fellow Hebrew?"
14 The man said, "Who made you ruler and judge over us? Are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian?" Then Moses was afraid and thought, "What I did must have become known."
15 When Pharaoh heard of this, he tried to kill Moses, but Moses fled from Pharaoh and went to live in Midian, where he sat down by a well."
Where was Moses’ first stop after the moment everything changed? Metropolis? Heaven? The Promised Land? Moses first stop was instead to flee in fear to the WILDERNESS.
He would spend most of the rest of his life in the Wilderness, dry desert land with unquenchable doubts, fears, insecurities and just a mustard seed of faith to bring him home.
Moses questioned his own abilities. To paraphrase:
“Me? Are you kidding? LORD, do you NOT hear my stuttering problem? How am I supposed to inspire anyone? You got the wrong guy. The right guy I AM not.”
“Trust me. I’ll give you the words. You can always get into a Joint Venture with your brother. My resources are all around you!”
And then, after the moment everything changed for Israel came and the sea was parted, more WILDERNESS. This time for 40 years.
The complaints came fast and furious:
“You got us out of Egypt to have us die here in the desert? We would have been better off staying where we were. Sure we were captives, prisoners with no control over our lives, but at least we knew what we had!” What do we do now Moses? What do we do NOW?”
“I don’t know!”
This scene played itself over and over again for the rest of Moses’ life. Did he give up? Did the Israelites make it to the Promised Land? Was the impossible made possible?
We revere figures like Moses as great leaders that overcame insurmountable external odds and mythologize their ability to fearlessly press on. Yet, a closer look gives us examples, time and time again of internal doubt, uncertainty, spiritual dryness, impatience, lack of faith and endless hikes up a mountain to find a solitary place to cry for help.
Like the Israelites, I have countless times complained to my Source. “You led me to this new life only to lose inspiration, to lack motivation to press on. It would have been better had I stayed in my old ways. Keeping my thoughts and feelings to myself, controlling how much love I give and receive. At least I knew what I had!”
Still, I hear an inner voice that keeps me going. “Trust me. I’ll give you the words. My resources are all around you!”
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