What is this all about?

We should be clear, Inner Driving is literal.  It would be easy to say it is like the more philosophical or motivational cliches such as Inner Driven, Inner Drive, or Inner Drivel.  But to do so would confuse its true meaning with one much nobler.  Instead, why do people driving in the right lane of a 6 lane highway refuse to move over when I am merging from an on-ramp?  Are these the same people who drive so slowly in the left lane – especially when I am late?  Why would you not use your turn signals or turn on your lights when it is raining?  And don’t get me started on drivers who will sit and wait for the car pulling out of a parking space at Walmart so they do not have to walk 5 extra feet.

It was my daughter who first suggested Inner Driving as a spiritual practice of more sane thinking.  She was convinced that my instructions to other drivers were not beneficial – to them, me, or her.  We all would be better served if I reflected on how I could drive safely and in love and charity with my neighbor.  I pondered the possibility because she is my daughter.  Eventually, I even came to admit that it was really about self-control – giving up control – or rather admitting that I had no control.  It was the beginning of a journey.

Inner Driving, as a concept, is really quite simple.  Do unto others … and all that!  It is the practice that has been challenging.  But when I get it – it works.

Then came the day when my spouse suggested Inner Church.  That’s a story for another time.  Next was Inner Work, Inner Politics, and even Inner Family (the extended one).

Now I am writing all this because I needed a New Year’s Resolution and most of what I need to say I need to say to myself.  Yes, it took me until April to get this started.  

But in many ways, I am going back to a book I read some years ago by Edward Hays.  I highly recommend St. George and the Dragon and the Quest for the Holy Grail.  You can find it on Amazon at http://a.co/h4Y1hQf.  It will give you a pretty good idea of what I think Inner Driving really means.

I also wrote a blog years ago that suggested that politicians should avoid associating God with much of what they say.  I enjoyed it at the time and now seems a really good time to revisit that topic.  I shall try to stay bipartisan but that is likely a fruitless promise.  But then again, I am not too impressed with any of them.  Inner Politics!

So, with my April New Year's Resolution, I am going to commit to myself to blog every week.  You will also see some of my sermons here so that people in my parish can read them without waiting for me to email them.  Comments are welcome.  Suggestions are treasured.  Sales pitches will be deleted with prejudice.  Inner Blogging!