dudemarwen

2006-03-07T23:13:00.000-08:00

STEP 8
AN INSPIRATION TO WILLINGLY DO THINGS

To live in this world is not just to live, to experience and to encounter the simple and visible things. Because reality tells us that to live in this world is to live, experience and encounter mysteries. Those things which are beyond our physical sense, those things which can hardly be explained in words somewhat, enable us to say that must be Someone mysterious, beyond the perception of our senses who is trying to communicate to us. And this mysterious Someone uses these mysterious things as means, so that later on, we will come to know Him and to have an intimate relationship with Him. And since these things are mysterious ones, they can’t be grasped easily or they can’t be understood that simply by the one experiencing them. Somehow, the understanding is a gradual process which may take a short or a long span of time. The persons encountering these things keep on doing yet they can’t explain why. There’s an inner drive within them which they themselves don’t understand.

In the parish, we can see old men and women, some of which are couples, go to church to attend Holy Mass. Some of them wake up very early in the morning as early as 4 a.m. Some of them live in a place far away from the church. Yet, they still come to attend Holy Mass. If we will try to see, they are not forced by the parish priest to attend Mass everyday though they are encouraged. But then, they still come despite the coldness of the morning, despite the distance that they have to walk in order to reach the church. Perhaps, there must be something within them that moves and motivated them to do so.

If I am to consider my personal experience, I have been a seminarian for almost six years now. Looking back from my college seminary life, everyday of my life inside the seminary, I’d always been praying. I can still recall that I’ve never missed any single Mass in the seminary since my pre-college years until I graduated. There were few times only that I missed to attend communal prayers like Liturgy of the Hours and Holy Rosary. I don’t deny the fact that I had thought of doing them only for the sake of complying the seminary formation. Initially, I really got bored of the daily seminary routine. I said that it was just a waste of time. I better go to sleep than attend prayers. It really came into my mind that prayers were not really that important in my daily life. But later on, then came the times when I was touched by the message of the phrases that I read in the breviary during liturgy of the hours. For several times, I was also touched by the readings during Holy Masses and touched by the songs during Holy Masses. These things woke me up from my sleep and somewhat made me realize the value and importance of prayer. With these, my going to the chapel was not anymore just because I was obliged by the rules and regulations of the seminary, but because I see a deeper reason that inspired me to go to the chapel primarily as my own will. Every Mass was somewhat different from the others. There was always a new experience distinct from the other Masses I was with. There’s the experience of joy, inspiration and giftedness that I couldn’t explain in words. There’s this feeling of wanting heartily that I couldn’t explain. I really didn’t know. But the thing was, I was doing it.
Yes, in the following years, I still experience dryness. But despite this, there was still something that enabled me to hold on despite the partiality I experienced, until the time I was able to recover again. This was most tested when I was outside the seminary during break and summer exposure; where there were no rules to follow, no ringing of bell, no community to pray with for the Liturgy of the Hours and for the Holy Rosary, and no formators to check me whether I was praying or not. But only the passive parish priest of the parish I was assigned. But then by this time, I’d seen the positive side of it. And with this, I was able to still perform them even when I was already on vacation or exposure. It was already I who longed for it. This was because I see already the value of it in my life as a seminarian, as a priest to be and as a Christian. This led me to deepen my faith and to strengthen my relationship with God. I don’t deny that I sometimes break the bond between God and me. But the, it’s God who always finds a way to restore the bong back.

2006-03-07T23:10:00.000-08:00

STEP 7
BENEVOLENCE OF OUR HEART LEADING TO FAITH

The philosopher Gabriel Marcel once said that our existence is to be shared with others. By this, he doesn’t mean that we would passively exist with others. But rather, a co-existence where loving and caring is found. So whether we like it or not, we exist in this world with others. But of course, we don’t deny that we experience solitude at times. We also need to experience it for us to reflect and to see where we are in our life and how far we have gone. But we don’t need to be in solitude always or forever. Moreover, even if we are alone, but having the thought of other people, of animals, and of things which are created by other people, imply that we are really a social being. And so we can’t help but live with others, love them and care for them. And this would give us a meaningful life.
Many people, even from the past, are trying to make their lives simple. They just comply the basic physical requirements everyday like; eating, drinking, sleeping, roaming a little, play sports, work, and that’s it. In short, they are living an insensitive life. Or perhaps, they live in the community with other people, but they are just passive to the needs of others and to the events around them. At first, they will be contented with the simple insensitive lifestyle. But then there will come a time that they will hunger for life’s meaning. They will then begin to ask, “Who am I really?”, “What’s the purpose of my life?” Then they will realize the call in their life. The call to be with others, the call to be sensitive to their needs and the call to care and love them. All of us have different experiences as regards to this realization. But one thing we have in common is that, we are all called to love and care. By this, we can’t help but be driven to do something upon seeing such a need and upon seeing such a situation.

I can still recall my own experience when I was still in my college seminary years. For several times I have passed a certain side of the cathedral where people used to pass also to get to the other streets of Butuan City. There were many “Badjao” people staying there and begging to the by-passers. I once passed there and was moved to pity when I saw them. One time, on my way back to the seminary, I was really bothered on what I saw earlier. And so, that night, I really prayed for them. And in the following day, we were to go to Urios College, to participate on their intramurals for the whole week. The school was located at the back street of the Cathedral. Our breakfast that day was; corned beef, boiled egg and rice. There were many leftovers, so I decided to gather them and give them to the “Badjao” near the Cathedral. Then, as I reached the place where they stayed, with Jeremy Tuburan, I approached them and offered them the food. At first they refused for they thought that what I brought was pork meat. But then Jeremy and I explained to them that they were not. Then they received the food and it. I could really see the joy deep in their heart reflected in their facial expression. Then we had a long conversion of which, later on I had known that they came from very far places. Some came from Davao City and others were from Zamboanga City. Then later on, we said goodbye to them and went to Urios College for the intramurals. Jeremy and I did the same thing the whole week. After that week, every time I would pass that corner, upon seeing me, they would smile at me symbolizing that they still recognize me. Later on, I no longer see them for they were placed by the local officials to a place where they were safer.

2006-03-04T01:12:00.003-08:00

STEP 10
LOVING ENTAILS SACRIFICE AND ACCEPTANCE
It is true indeed that God loves us always. We may not notice it but God has always loved us. That was why, out of His love for us, He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ to save us from our sinfulness. And in connection with this, God is calling us, to love Him in return? No! But rather to share the love we received from Him to others. But then, before we can share His love, we have to feel it in ourselves first. For, how can we love others if we in ourselves have not felt love! And so, we have to acknowledge and know first God’s love in us before we can love others.
Many of us or perhaps all of us long for this love of God. But then many of us experienced only a partial of it and more so, failed to internalize it. Why? Because something blocks us of doing it. This blockage is no other than “pride” or the “failure to be humble”. Jesus Himself showed to us how it is to love. He showed to us that to love is to conquer our pride and to live with humility. During the time when He was about to be crucified, as the Son of the Father, He could have done something using His power to avoid the suffering He was to experience. To be nailed on the cross was a sign of humiliation. What happened to Him was a humiliation for many people who present there. It was somewhat an insult to His pride for he is God. But then, He conquered His pride with humility. Thus, He triumphed over death and over evil.
What then is it to love in the real sense? Considering Jesus’ example, to love is to conquer our pride and to embrace suffering. The problem in most of us is that, we evade suffering. We want the kind of love which there is no suffering involved. If this is the kind standard, then I guess we have to check again our knowledge of the scriptures, our knowledge of Jesus. If we are really Christians, not just in name but also in deeds, then we have to know the basic information about the life of Jesus. Another thing so that we will be able to love, we must accept who we are. We must accept our limitations as human beings. Many are trying to ignore their limitations in life. This is also another thing that hinders them from experiencing true love. Unless they are able to accept their limitations, and as to who they are, they won’t be able to experience the love of Jesus to the fullest.
Many really fall short in this because, for them loving is to be away from suffering. Loving is always comfort, in a sense that there is no pain experienced. I guess a nice example of loving is that of couples. No matter how difficult life is, even if they are already struggling, they may have quarreled for several times, but they still hold on to each other. When one is in love, he risks things. The only explanation he can give is that he is in love.
As a seminarian and as a Christian, many things are expected of me. But to sum them up, I am expected to love, a love which entails sacrifice and acceptance. Just like that of other people, pride also is the mean reason why I can’t fully experience and share this love that I receive from God. That is why I am constantly reminded by God in my prayers, that if I want to follow Him through priesthood, I must learn to love, to sacrifice and to be humble, accepting my limitations and as to who I am.

2006-03-04T01:12:00.002-08:00

STEP 9
VICTORY IN LIFE THROUGH ENCOUNTERING JESUS
Can there be good that comes out believing in Jesus?
One of my professors here in Vianney once said that there’s only a thin line that divides believing and not believing. Once this line is broken, it’s either of the two comes the opposite. Believing becomes not believing and not believing becomes believing. Many of us have been victimized by this, be it in small things or in big things. Sometimes, painful events in our lives trigger us to turn away from God and lose our belief.
Let me share an experience of a certain man, someone close to me for he is one of my godfathers during my baptism. At first, I never knew about his childhood days and his later years before he got married and had four children. Not until one time when we were drinking beer with his eldest son and some of my friends. He shared to us a lot of things. He said that during his childhood years, he was lovingly taken cared by his parents. Of the two, he’s more close to his father. He even narrated how his father loved him so much, teaching him so many things relevant in life, sharing principles in life and others. Later in his life, he entered the seminary of the SVD. There he had many achievements and was always on the top academically. His parents were his primary inspiration. All were well in those years, not until one painful event took place in life. He was already about to be ordained deacon when he received the information that his father died. He was deeply troubled and couldn’t accept what happened. Before the semester ended, he decided to live the seminary. His superiors tried to alter his decision but it was already fixed. He said he was angry with God with why He took his father from him. In other words, he blamed God for the death of his father. From that time on, his prayer life was very much affected. He now seldom went to Mass and prayed to God. When he was already outside the seminary, he studied and graduated as a civil engineer.
For a long time, he was bringing his painful experience in the past. That experience blinded him to see the graces, the blessings and the goodness God had given him in his life. He wasn’t able to appreciate them because what was in his mind and heart was the anger that was built out of his painful past experience. But then came the “Philip” in his life, his wife and then later his children, namely; Emmanuel, Mark Anthony, Analou and Mark Philip. Through them, he was somewhat introduced again for the second time to Jesus. From then on, he started going to Mass regularly with his family.
I could no longer remember the original words that he uttered during his sharing. But one point I got from him was that, no matter how complicated our life may come, when we get lost, when we stay away from Jesus Christ, even when we go against God and be angry at Him, He will always find a way to win us back. Jesus will always make a road where we and He will meet one day. And we will be surprised because He will greet us first before we can say a word.
He said further that he realized, that all throughout his life, God was with him. God has never abandoned him. Because if Jesus did so, he couldn’t have become an engineer and he couldn’t have such a family where love and joy are present. He said Jesus really played a big part in his life. He said every time the season of lent comes, he’s reminded of the struggle he once experienced in the past. He’s reminded of how he was tested, how he reacted to the test, how he moved away from God and how Jesus won him back. He may had not become a priest but such didn’t mean that God didn’t love him. But because of the very fact that he has stable job, happy and prayerful family and loving community around him, he no longer have anything to ask for from God.
This sharing of my godfather triggered me to also reflect at my life. For several times I had been like Nathaniel, but God sent me “Philips” to introduce me again to Jesus. Those “Philips” may not always be persons, perhaps, experiences, books and others, but what is important is that, with their help I encountered Jesus. Yes, I always have this faith in God. But such was vulnerable. But through my encounter with Jesus in some significant events in my life, this faith was gradually strengthened. And this enabled me to see how God loves me and how He was working in my life from the very beginning. And so if I am to ask myself is there anything good that comes from believing Jesus, the answer would certainly be yes.

2006-03-04T01:12:00.001-08:00

STEP 6
KNOWING GOD THROUGH NATURE
It is but part of the life of a person to ask questions. Some of them may be relevant and some may be not. No matter how simple a person is, whether a person is rich or poor, by the fact that he lives in this world that is full of wonders, time will come that he will ask questions about the things around him. There are questions where we can easily and immediately answer. Just with the use of our mental capacity, at no much time spent, we can immediately give answer. But there are questions that lead us to wonder all the more. Because the answers that we have can’t satisfy us, and thus, led us to a deeper question.
If we are to consider nature; the plants, the animals, man and other creatures many questions have been raised as to their origin and their being in order. With this, there are many systematic attempts to scientifically and empirically explain their origin. Yes, they may come up with some explanations and conclusion. But then, in their conclusions, there rise again another question still pertaining to origin. In other words, the problem is not solved yet, with the systematic and scientific empirical explanations.
I can still recall until now that for several times in the past, I wondered and questioned on the things around me. One thing was about the water of the river in the barrio where my friends and I used to swim and catch fish. The question came into my mind why there’s still water that continues to flow on the river wherein fact, several days or weeks already had passed. Why it didn’t run dry? Is there plenty of water stored in the mountain where it came from? Are there persons working in the mountain producing the water that ran down? If so, then where did they get water to be stored in the mountain which was to flow on the river? But it’s already passed a week. Don’t they run out of water to be stored in the mountain? Perhaps, there must be someone powerful who let this river water to continue on flowing. Someone which has a magic that can let it flow still even for several days, weeks, months or years. That was one of the many times I wondered on things around me. Another thing was with regard to “heavenly bodies”, as termed in science. It is true indeed that science aids us to empirically see things through scientific observations. Science was able to discover the planets, the stars, the satellites, the asteroids, meteoroids and other heavenly bodies. But then, from these discoveries rise the question, who put them to order? It is said that the planets revolves around the sun, having their own orbit. But then the question is, how come they don’t hit each other? Who really arranged them? Science fell short in this because they can’t give an explanation that can really satisfy us. Even as to the birth of a person or the origin of man, science couldn’t give a satisfactory answer. And this again led me to say that there must be someone powerful who made these possible. These things somehow introduced me to the one who is really the origin of everything, including my life. Thus I would say that God is so powerful that He has His own way of introducing Himself to mankind through His mysterious creation which can’t easily be explained but only by one’s faith to Him.

2006-03-04T01:12:00.000-08:00

STEP 5
FROM HUNGER TO SATISFACTION
When I reached the age of reason, every time I would see a rich person riding a beautiful and expensive car, or person living in a beautiful house, or a person having successful business or career in life I would always say, “Power bay!” But usually, I would not only end up at such a comment. It’s usually followed by the questions, “Is he happy already?” or “Is he satisfied already in his life with all the fortunes he has?” When a person is rich, or materially fortunate, it doesn’t mean that he is already happy in his life. Because there are many rich people who almost have everything in this world yet are still unsatisfied in their lives. Of course there are also those who have become rich due to their striving, who have their beloved family with them. But some are still unsatisfied despite the material treasures they have.
I saw myself to be one of those persons who have been unsatisfied and have hungered for something beyond material things. As what I could remember in my childhood years, almost everything that I asked was given to me by my parents; small bicycle, later on a big one, food, toys like family computer, remote controlled toy car and many others. And this continued even when I was already at my adolescent age. It became worse in the sense that, I now began to ask big things like; a motorcycle, branded shoes, t- shirts and pants, portable cd player, expensive cell phone and others.
Later in my life, I gained friends whom I was with. I experienced happiness and of course, a little quarrels for several times with them. But of course, my relationship with them was restored for several times. With them, I learned so many things, including vices. Those were just the negative ones. But of course there were also good things I learned from them, or perhaps, I have learned already previously but was developed when I was with them. One thing was the value of friendship, the value of sacrifice or giving way to something for your friends. I also experienced courting a girl for several times and tried to love them.
Later in my life, I thought I no longer need anything else for it seemed that I already had everything. I think all sorts of happiness were already in me; possessions, relationships, and others. I thought those were already what life was. Only to find out, my heart hungered for something better, something that give inner satisfaction which can’t be found in material things.
I could say that this was perhaps one angle in my life that I hungered for meaning in life. And this hunger for meaning points me to God which I see to be my ultimate goal and the ultimate meaning of my life. With this, I gradually knew God as I continue my years here on earth. Later on, my knowledge of Him grew and grew wider of which, it enabled me to experience a deepening relationship with Him. At present, I’m now in the seminary aiming to serve Him and his people in the near future. I’m not saying that I’m fully satisfied right now in my life because I believe that there are still so many things in life that I should know and learned about Him. And that my process of knowing Him more closely is still on going so that I will be able to love Him more deeply as time continues to move forward. But what I could say is that, I believe I’m partially enjoying that satisfaction right now.

2006-03-04T01:11:00.000-08:00

STEP 4
THE GOD THAT I BELIEVE
How we look at God is due to the influence of persons around us, the existing beliefs in the place where we live and the events in our lives. How we look at God varies and develops as we grow older from our young age.
When I was still a little child, I heard already the word “God” for several times from the different persons around me. For several instances, this god was introduced to me as one who would be angry at me if I won’t eat my breakfast, or my lunch, or my supper. This god would be angry at me if I won’t sleep from after lunch until in the afternoon. This god will be angry at me if I won’t sleep early at night, if I won’t brush my teeth every after meal and if I won’t pray before I sleep. For several times also, this God was introduced to me as one who would give price or reward if I would be a good boy and he’s one who would give me punishment if I would be a hardheaded one. I could still remember one time; I was caught by my grandmother stealing money from her. She asked me where did I learn it. And I said that I learned it from my friends. Then she told me not to do it again or else God will cut my hands. Out of fright that god would cut my hands, I no longer did it again.
If I am to recall further my past experiences, at my young age, I was taught of a god who provides and gives whatever I ask in my prayer. For several times, I experienced frustrations. It was because my mindset was conditioned of this idea introduced to me that whatever I ask would be given by god. Why am I saying this? It’s because, there were many times in the past that I ask favor from God, but then I wasn’t granted of it. One very important thing was the time when I made a decision what course I would take up in college. I really prayed to God that my parents would allow me so. I told them I wanted to be a nautical student for I wanted to be a seaman like my father. But they didn’t allow me, so I got frustrated. Though I had that decision, but the desire of entering the seminary was always there at the back of my mind. With that experience, I really questioned if God really is a provider and a grantor of prayer. I really didn’t understand why such a thing was experienced by me. But then later on, I came up with a better understanding of it, why I experience it.
In the past, I experienced God as someone outside from me, external in a sense. God was somewhat distant from me and came to me only in times that I call Him. But then as I continued to journey in my earthly life, I later on learned that God is not only Someone outside of me. He is not only Someone distant from that comes to me only whenever I call His name. But rather, I have known God as Someone within me, working at me everyday of my life. I admit that I have been so insensitive with the movement of God within me. But I believe that He was, is and will always be there behind me, ahead of me, above me, beside and within me no matter what.
During my seminary life, there are times when I experience hardships, sometimes I felt abandoned and in solitude. I had thought that I was alone in solving them. But the truth was, in those times, God was at work in me. In my failures and limitations, He was and is there to accept me as I am. And more than that, in my downfalls, He was the hand that left me up to stand again and start a new, giving me the courage and inspiration to go on. But then I just failed to notice and see it. In my times of sorrow, He was there to cheer me up. And in my times of joy, He was also there happy with me. And when I commit mistakes, He was hurt and had felt the pain of them, but He forgave me and gave me the chance to renew my life. This is how He loves me so much. He is a God more than the attributions and predications man can give. And as a loving God, He is also worthy to be loved and worthy to be praised.

2006-03-04T01:04:00.003-08:00

STEP 3
BELIEVING IN A REALITY BEYOND PERCEPTION
At present, almost everything is comfortable due to technological advancements. You can now travel to other far places and reach them in a short span of time. It could be by means of a water transport, land transport or air transport. You can watch and know what is happening at the other part of the globe through the television. You can communicate to your love ones from other places through a telephone, a cell phone or through a computer. You can have information of something in a short span of time, even the oldest information, through the internet. In medical field, vaccines and medicines were now discovered. The very dangerous sickness and illness before are not anymore that dangerous because there are now medicines which are effective to cure them. Many things now have empirical results. And I believe that these things have affected the minds of the people who have become empiricists. For them, something should be seen as a proof. In other words, it seems to have become for people that truth is something that should be visible. And we know that it doesn’t apply to all because there are certain truths that are not empirical. A clear example of this is the truth about God. I presume that this question or this issue whether God exists or not has been debated already for decades or perhaps, for centuries already. And yet, empirical speaking, no one could ever prove it.
In many things in our life, we don’t have to behave like the empiricists do. But we have to believe and go beyond what is perceived by our eyes. There are things in life that, we are not indeed sure and we can’t tell whether it is true or nor as far as our physical sense are concerned. One particular example is God. I have never seen God physically. But by faith and by heart, I believe that He really exists. We can’t deny that many are still having doubt in God’s existence. Some of them are influenced by the struggles they have experienced, in which they feel that God in not helping them. And so with their problems unsolved, causing them distress, they begin to question whether God really exists or not. For if He does, they could have not experienced hardships. This is the problem with many individuals at present. They immediately lose hope and faith. Today in our present world, we are called to have faith in God despite the reality that we can’t physically see him. We don’t have to see God in order that we may believe. But we believe in Him so that we will see Him.

2006-03-04T01:04:00.002-08:00

STEP 2
THE CHALLENGE TO US IN THIS MODERN TIME
I was sitting at the terrace of our home watching the many passenger vehicles passing by. I recalled the many books I have read during my elementary and high school years. In those books, I have known in the past that most of the people were religious. They would make it a habit to find time to pray to God and to go to church. Everything in human life was almost simple. Everything was done manually. There were no machines yet. There was no motorcycle, no four wheeled vehicles, no ships and no airplanes to ride to, except horse. Almost everything utilized by human beings was taken from nature. But then as the time went on, many things gradually changed and many inventions had come to existence. These things have altered many things, including the mindset of the people.
We are now in the modern times where many things have been invented. Many things which were relevant in the past have now become meaningless and with no longer worth. Perhaps some of them have become extinct already. Many customs and traditions of nations which were given emphasis before are now beginning to be lost and are set aside. There is now a rampant industrialization and technologies have become very advanced. The mindset of the people are beginning to decline from the traditional outlook, though some are still trying to be faithful to the traditional way of thinking and traditional way of life.
With all these advancements before hand, as people of the modern generation, we are called not to forget the values that we learned and the truth that has been handed on from the many generations in the past. And this truth is no other than the truth about God, and about Jesus. We couldn’t deny that in many countries around the world, churches have now become mere tourists’ spots instead of houses of worship as they were created in the past. I don’t know in Europe how many young boys and girls still go to church to attend Mass at present. The numbers of Christians who still go to churches to worship have declined already. Look at the effects of media; high level of morality is very much affected because of what has been shown in the televisions. Indeed there is really a threat to the spiritual aspect of every person.
Despite all the advance technologies before us, with the influence it could make to every individual, we are also called to be faithful to God. It doesn’t mean that we have to reject the modern technologies because there are also advantages in them. They make man’s work easy to do. They provide almost everything man needs as fast as they can. But the problem is that, people tend to worship already the technology that easily provides them many things. It seems God has been taken out of the picture and technology has become god of people. Due to modern technology, people have become very busy.
And so with this present age of modern technologies, we are called to do a task. Our task is to preserve and guard morality from the harms of technological advancements of the present time. As modern evangelizers, we are called to show to others the image of God. Let us show to them that modern life is not all about being enslaved with technology. But it is becoming faithful to the mission we are called to do. And that mission is no other than to know our true self and to know God as our origin in the middle of the modern advancement that tends to blind us on the reality of ourselves and of God.

2006-03-04T01:04:00.001-08:00

2006-03-04T01:04:00.000-08:00

STEP 1
KNOW YOUR SELF
Each one of us has his own undertakings in life. Each one us goes his own way as we continue to live in this earth. And because of this, we experience various things. We sometimes experience difficulties. We sometimes experience doubts and ambiguity. We sometimes experience sadness and frustrations. At other times also we experience happiness and lightness of feelings. These are just some of the things that we experience as we go on our life here on earth. But then, are we only to stop at this point of our lives where these are the only things that we see? I believe not! Because each of is called to discover who we are, what’s the purpose of our life here on earth, what can make our life meaningful and become free persons.
We can’t deny the fact that in our life, we have lots of needs in order for our body to survive. Moreover, aside from the things that we need everyday, we also have things that we want and desire in life. Many people think that if they could only have what they wanted, they are already the most fortunate persons in the world, and perhaps the free persons. Well, I guess this is the most common idea of most persons on freedom. That is to do the things they desire in life and to have the things they wanted to have. Many things have been done by persons because of their desire for freedom and to find meaning on their life. People have become busy doing things, accumulating things and having many achievements in life. And yet, they end up unsatisfied in their life. They still feel that there’s an empty space within them. This is also experienced by those how are struggling financially. Many are blinded at their desires and in what they have. They have been to paradise but they have never been to themselves. In other words, what is driving them is not their true self but their false self as Gallagher termed it. How can a person be free if he has not known yet who he is?
I believe that our desires in life sometimes are the cause why we become blind. And so with this, we have to be sensitive with every thing within us, our emotions, feelings, desires, actions, series of decisions and others. We have to be sensitive with the events in our life. As Iñigo had done, we have to know who we are in the past and what can we become in the future. This requires seeing from the inside and from the outside of ourselves. And with this, we will discover many things in us. We will discover the things that pull us down, we will discover the many conflicts within us. Of course, we will discover many possibilities also. I believe that as we go through, we will gradually discover our true self. We will discover who we really are. I also believe that part of this discovery is knowing God.