Whether Asleep or Awake!

A word that saves lives: Whether you are sleeping or awake. Is taken from an article in the Catholic Times. Written by a  University professor in Seoul. 

A student came over, and we talked for a long time. Passionate students have many worries—about themselves and about the world around us. Facing a student who was getting extremely angry about something, I thought, “With this energy, you can do anything. That’s a relief.” Since they have their own standards of value, they won’t be weakly swayed by others. When I suggested that they lightly burn off their anger by studying, the child smiled.

Students place great expectations on professors and the school, just as believers place great expectations on priests or nuns, and just as children expect great things from their parents.

“Look, there’s a school here, right? A school isn’t an ideal place. Though, how nice it would be if it were. A school is just the world. There are all kinds of people in the world, you know. Just because you’ve learned more doesn’t mean you have a better character. You know that from common sense, right? Just because you’re in a high position doesn’t mean you know more. If that were the case, it seems like the world would run smoothly and peacefully, but isn’t the fact that it’s not like that? 

As for me, I hope we can at least live with dignity. “That’s right. Your anger is a legitimate immune cell protecting your self-esteem. It’s working well. After all, the purpose of our studies is to protect our dignity. We need to be able to get angry at injustice and speak up for ourselves. You’re doing great. Your anger is justified, so there’s no need to be afraid. Thank you for telling me.”

The student's face brightens; they said they had been restless for several days. I believe anger is justified, but because I do not want them to expend too much energy on it, I make the request again.

So, you just need to do your own studying. There is no need to be impatient by predicting the results in advance.

I came home and was reading a book when I encountered this passage: 'Whether you are asleep or awake.' What comes next? I don't mean something like, 'The Ministry of National Defense clock keeps ticking whether you are asleep or awake.'

Whether you are sleeping or awake, God does His work. These are the words of Meister Eckhart, a 13th-century German mystic thinker. He joined the Dominican Order at the age of fifteen and was active within it before moving to Paris, where he gained fame through debates with the Franciscan Order but was also accused of heresy. Although he remains a subject of controversy to this day, the passage I encountered in the book I read today gives me strength. 

The saying, "Whether you sleep or are awake, God is doing His work," is an absolute faith in God's purity and immutability. If you have such faith, there is no need to look elsewhere. There is no need to be anxious or fluctuate between joy and sorrow. Nor is there any need to be swayed by impatience over things that have not yet happened.

That faith enables me to completely empty myself, and that emptiness becomes the foundation of a steadfast faith that is not shaken by anything.

“If you think of this whole process as a learning experience and keep walking silently, the day will come when yesterday’s anger feels like nothing. Got it?”

Simple faith is not foolishness. With that simple faith, we have successfully made it through today.