This autumn, I've been fascinated by the translucent quality of colored leaves when they are backlit by the sun, especially just before sunset. For me, they are an embodiment of the translucent quality of a transformed seeker who glows with a divine Light welling up from deep within their being.
In the Christian tradition, there is the story of the transfiguration, where Jesus went up on a mountain with several of his disciples, and suddenly began to glow with spiritual light. A mystical interpretation understands that Jesus - at that moment - became translucent to the light of Wisdom - Logos - dwelling within the core of his being.
Traditional theology views God as an independent Light that dwells in the heavenly realms, far beyond all worldly things. That light then enters into transformed human beings and makes them glow from within. However, a contemplative understanding of God as kenotic - that is, as blissfully self-emptying - realizes that there actually is NO divine light present unless there are earthly creatures to reveal it within their own particular radiance. In other words, God can't be revealed except through his embodiment in the world; that is, through incarnation.
With backlit autumn leaves, we realize that there really IS a sun - shining from close to the horizon - making them glow in all of their glory. However, in the spiritual realm, the self-emptying nature of a blissful God means that his light has eternally disappeared from view. Nevertheless, all things somehow manage to light up - from within - in his love-Light. How amazing! All things glow from a Light that has disappeared for all eternity! There is no visible Light, and yet all things nevertheless become translucent, light up, and glow from within! Such is the nature of a supremely humble - and mysterious - God.
Photo: Narrowleaf Cottonwood leaves glow in last light; Red Mountain Open Space, Larimer County, CO; October 20, 2012
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