Through the Doorway: Encountering the Divine

In the profound words of Thomas Merton, "And through that doorway, you meet God." This evocative statement invites us to consider the transformative potential of thresholds in our spiritual journeys. Doorways symbolize transitions, opportunities for profound encounters, and moments of awakening. Merton's assertion suggests that by stepping through these metaphorical doorways, we can experience a direct communion with the divine, a meeting that transcends the ordinary and invites us into a deeper relationship with the sacred.

To understand the weight of Merton's words, we must reflect on the nature of doorways themselves. They are not merely physical structures; they represent choices, changes, and the unknown. Each doorway we encounter in life offers a chance to step into a new reality, to leave behind what is familiar and embrace what lies ahead. Merton's invitation to meet God through these thresholds challenges us to recognize the divine presence in our everyday experiences, urging us to approach each doorway with openness and reverence.

The image / the metaphor

The imagery of a doorway is rich with meaning, evoking feelings of anticipation and curiosity. A doorway stands as a boundary between two realms: the known and the unknown, the mundane and the sacred. The act of crossing through a doorway requires intention and courage, as it often involves leaving behind comfort and familiarity. Merton's choice of the verb "meet" suggests an active engagement, a willingness to encounter the divine presence that awaits us on the other side. This meeting is not passive; it requires our full attention and presence.

Diving deeper into the metaphor, we can see that doorways also represent the inner landscapes of our souls. Each threshold we face can be seen as an invitation to explore our inner depths, to confront our fears, and to embrace our vulnerabilities. In this sense, the doorway becomes a symbol of spiritual awakening, a passage that leads us to greater self-awareness and connection with the divine. Merton's words remind us that these encounters with God are not confined to grand moments of revelation; they can occur in the quiet spaces of our lives, waiting for us to step through with intention.

In the speaker's tradition

Thomas Merton, a Trappist monk and a profound spiritual thinker, draws upon a rich tradition that emphasizes the importance of contemplation and the inner journey. Within the Trappist tradition, concepts such as kenosis—the self-emptying of one’s ego—resonate deeply with Merton's invitation to meet God. This self-emptying allows us to approach the doorway with humility, recognizing that our preconceived notions of the divine may need to be set aside in order to truly encounter the sacred. The act of stepping through the doorway becomes a metaphor for surrendering our limited understanding and opening ourselves to the vastness of divine presence.

Merton's reflections can be likened to the Buddhist concept of sunyata, or emptiness, which invites practitioners to let go of attachments and preconceived ideas. Just as sunyata encourages a release from the self, Merton's doorway beckons us to relinquish our fears and embrace the unknown. In his work "The Seven Storey Mountain," Merton articulates the transformative power of solitude and contemplation, emphasizing that it is often in the quiet moments of our lives that we can truly meet God. This alignment of Merton's thought with other spiritual traditions underscores the universality of the experience of encountering the divine through thresholds.

Living the teaching

In our modern lives, the concept of a doorway can manifest in various ways, often appearing during moments of significant change. Consider a time when you faced a major life decision, such as changing careers or moving to a new city. This transition can feel daunting, yet it also presents an opportunity for spiritual growth. By approaching these moments as doorways, we can cultivate a mindset of openness, allowing ourselves to be guided by the divine as we navigate the uncertainties ahead. Each choice becomes a chance to meet God, to discover the sacred in the midst of our everyday struggles.

Moreover, the teaching of meeting God through doorways can also be applied to our relationships. Imagine a difficult conversation with a loved one, where both parties are hesitant to express their true feelings. This moment can serve as a doorway, a threshold that, if crossed with vulnerability and honesty, can lead to deeper understanding and connection. By recognizing these relational doorways, we can approach our interactions with a spirit of compassion and openness, allowing the divine to work through us as we seek to bridge the gaps between ourselves and others.

A reflection

As we contemplate Merton's invitation to meet God through the doorway, we are called to examine the thresholds in our own lives. What doorways are currently presenting themselves to you? Are there opportunities for growth, connection, or transformation that you have been hesitant to embrace? Reflecting on these questions can guide us in our spiritual journeys, encouraging us to step through the doorways that lead us closer to the divine presence that awaits us on the other side.