Skip All The Dogma

Over the last few years I have been exploring contemplation and ever-so-slowly developing an ever more contemplative life, one working toward having a more direct connection with the divine.  Seeking the absolute in that way is what I believe is called “mysticism”. Dogma and belief systems in general have been sticking points for me in the past, and contemplation – daily kenosis, emptying, receptivity, being totally in the present moment – has been a way that has taken me a few steps down the path. So at one point I wrote these lyrics.

Seeking or believing in a direct relationship with the divine, the absolute – God – has gotten a lot of humble, devout people into trouble over the years, and usually with a church or church leaders who thought folks needed to go through them.  But it is true that dogma, certainly ritual, belief systems, professional and called clergy, and faith traditions have been the key for millions of people, and become more and more important to me over time.  Interestingly, over the years, the longer I have tread the contemplative path, the more ritual and church and sacred icons and the sacred in general have become important to me. And it is absolutely true that visiting the cathedrals and abbeys and basilicas in Italy were life changing for me.

One path, however, at least for me every morning for about 20 minutes and often during other times of the day, is to skip all that and work toward going right to the source.  Anyway, here is my little attempt at writing lyrics about it.

Skip All The Dogma

Skip all the dogma,

the doctrine and the writ

All I want dear Lord

is with you tightly knit.

Skip all the words that bind

and let me be with you,

being in your presence

is what will see me through

——————–

(Refrain)

I want the mystery,

I want your touch,

I want to see and feel and hear you oh so much

I want the mystery,

I want your touch,

I want to be with you, ecstatic you, words are just a crutch

I want the mystery,

I want your touch,

I want to see and feel and hear you Lord,

In the solitary silence,

 in the quiet morning hush.

—————

Skip all the policy,

the rules that so constrain

All I want from you dear Lord

Is the love that you ordained

Skip all the judgment

Those with arrogance

Remind me that in your heart

We’re loved in resonance.

——————-

(Refrain)

I want the mystery,

I want your touch,

I want to see and feel and hear you oh so much

I want the mystery,

I want your touch,

I want to be with you, ecstatic you, words are just a crutch

I want the mystery,

I want your touch,

I want to see and feel and hear you Lord,

In the solitary silence,

 in the quiet morning hush.

~Lyrics by Michael Kroth

For more about profound living, check out http://www.profoundliving.live.