My Favorite Scene in the Movie Lincoln

In Spielberg’s new movie; Lincoln in standing in a communication center consisting of two desks and small brass contraptions which transport Morse Code. There are two men, one at each desk, and it is a heightened moment within the Civil War. Lincoln is waiting for an update to be transmitted and is partially talking his thought process aloud while engaging with the communicators. Lincoln asks if either young man studied engineering. One responds, “yes.” Lincoln then asks him what he thinks about one of Euclid’s Axioms. The young man says he doesn’t remember his book studies as he basically forgot his book learning once he left school. Lincoln shares that he, himself, didn’t have much formal education, but he allowed his studies to inform and change him. Since he read Euclid’s axiom “Things that are equal to one another are equal to each other” he contemplated this idea in the context of race. Like equalling like, Euclid said, is self-evident. This insight, provides clarity regarding an action Lincoln was to take.

This scene was my favorite of many good scenes because it applies so beautifully to spirituality. To read and intellectualize something spiritually, like the young communicator, is very different than taking a spiritual concept and being with it. To take a spiritual concept and contemplate, marinate, and then live from one’s understanding of Its Truth changes who we are, the impact of those around us, and our collective trajectory. To live from Spirit contrasted to having ideas about Spirit are as different as the educated boy who couldn’t recall a concept and Lincoln making decisions from this informed knowing which shapes his character.

When I work with clients, one of the first questions I ask them is about their spiritual practice. I want to know about their commitment, discipline, and willingness. I want to know if they are open to not only “knowing” something, but open to becoming new. Revelation and inspiration changes us. It calls forth the very core of our Eternal Being to be the place from which we live and make our decisions from. I am committed to working with individuals who are about being alive, not merely knowing.

This holiday season, I am practicing being generosity and light. I am awake to opportunities for bringing forth from within me a generous, spacious love, allowing It to be present.

If you don’t already have an active practice of prayer, meditation, tithing, study, and service and your life isn’t working for you, bring this idea of spiritual practice into your quiet space and listen to what is yours to do.

God/Life Force/Love/Spirit is always present, always available, and always potent and it lives within each of us. Opening to this and living from it allows for us to live our own greatness. This too is self-evident.

Happy Holidays,