Letter from the Acting President October 2022
“There’s only one thing that I long for
When I reach that heavenly land
To see my Jesus in His glory
As I go from land to land
There’s only one thing that I long for
When I reach that heavenly land
And I know, I know we shall see Him
In that sweet, oh My Lord, peaceful rest
Without a mother, without a father
We got to beat this journey by myself
Heart-breaking pain, all left in shame
But our journey, here along”
Dear Reader,
In a soulful meditation on the feeling of yearning through hardship, the great founding mother of
rock ‘n’ roll, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, sings that through faith and perseverance her deep longing for
an encounter with God will one day be fulfilled. This “journey to the sky” happens both in this
world and beyond it, as she deals with the inevitable hardships of life and remains faithful that
transcending them is possible.
The theme of the journey is prominent across religious and spiritual traditions, usually related to
the feeling that there is somewhere we are, there is somewhere we want to be, and there is a
means of getting from here to there.
For example, every year millions of Muslims embark on the Hajj, a pilgrimage made to a
particularly holy site in the city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. This journey is so sacred that it is amongst
the “five pillars,” or most fundamental practices, of Islam. Literally translated, Hajj means "to
attend a journey," referring to both the physical act of journeying and the inward act of setting and
following sacred intentions. For Muslims, this journey is a marker of faith and submission, and
those who have completed it gain spiritual merit and renewal.
Buddhists, too, invoke the “journey” metaphor. The “Noble Eightfold Path,
” a core element of
Buddhist belief and practice, refers to the essential method for attaining the end of suffering. The
path includes elements such as “right speech,” “right livelihood,” and “right conduct,
” and those
who adhere to it faithfully grow closer to being liberated from the cycle of rebirth. The journey
along this path can be difficult, requiring discipline and practice, but it can also be supported by a
community of fellow journeyers.
In addition to being crucial to most world traditions, the journey metaphor is relevant in thinking
about the pursuit of optimal health and well-being. Most of us have at some point used phrases
like “I’m on the road to recovery,” “her fitness journey is inspiring,” or “it seems like he is on a
healthy path.” Just like in the religious examples above, journeys towards health incorporate
physical, mental, and spiritual dimensions, and are often inspired by a longing for a change in one’s
condition.
As we think about journeys towards health, we can also learn from religious traditions. Lifestyle
change is often most readily achieved in the context of community. As we maintain diet and
exercise, we can look to those who came before us – our teachers and guides – as models for
walking the path. Recovery from serious medical conditions can seem overwhelming, requiring a
measure of faithfulness and commitment. Overcoming recurrent health challenges requires a
vision of what optimal health looks and feels like. Even if that vision is difficult to achieve in its
entirety, it is helpful to have a model to work towards.
Most people know what it is like to be on a journey towards something especially important. Be it
towards health, wholeness, a sacred encounter, reconciliation, a career achievement,
transcendence, or something else…
What journeys are you on in mind, body, and spirit, and how can you take your next steps?
With Peace and Warmth,
Stuart C. Nelson, MA
Acting President
Executive Vice President