For Now We See Through A Glass Darkly

Shawn Tedrow

These words, "For now we see through a glass darkly", were written by Paul the apostle (1 Corinthians 13:12). Within this verse, he also mentions, "Now I know in part".

Based upon Paul’s take on the spiritual life, he is describing our inability to fully know the mystery that we can’t see with our eyes or comprehend with our minds. He does though mention a "know in part". This knowing in part, is what he means by seeing through a glass darkly.

Even though I am not a believer in most of Paul’s doctrines, I think maybe he was onto something here with this particular one. I agree in spirit with the principal of this thinking, but not necessarily in the totality of his viewpoint.

Throughout the ages, humankind has tried to connect with the great mystery of life by attempting to make sense of it. We can only see through a glass darkly though. Tao, Source, Mystery, behind this darkened glass of the mind, illuminates what it is, but it comes through the mind with very shaded distortions. These shaded distorted mind images, symbols and words, are “know in part”.

Many cultures have had a connection with this knowing in part of the mystery. They sensed the wonders of Tao in this glass darkly but most of the time “goes too far”, by trying to understand and describe it with mind. The mystery is not confined within the four walls of the mind and any attempt to make it a mind thing is destined for failure. Can we take endless mass and put it into an eye of a needle? Same with Tao in relationship to mind. Lao Tzu said;

Look, and it can’t be seen
Listen, and it can’t be heard
Reach, and it can’t be grasped

Sometimes the mind's translations that bounce off this glass darkly are somewhat harmless, like the American Indian's beliefs. The American Indian would feel and meditate, while reflecting on this glass darkly, through observing nature. They could sense something more than meets the eye and proclaimed there is a Great Spirit. In fact, they seemed to live their lives in harmony with nature and Tao in many ways more than other cultures and religions, but nonetheless, they had their imagined beliefs.

Other beliefs, through knowing in part infused with minds interpretations, unfortunately have been very harmful to nature. The list is many.

Throughout the history of humans, attempting to look at Tao through this glass darkly has produced a mixture of darkness and, at times, wondrous inspiration. Bitter and sweet water can be witnessed within many religious movements.

It is the wondrous inspirations that I find pleasure and interest in. It is when individuals from a different time, culture, and belief, say or write the most incredible spiritual perennial insights that catch my eye. When I say perennial insights, I mean the common ground realization of spiritual thought, the parallel in-sync thinking, with two completely different cultures and religions.

Here is one from the Christian religion that parallels with Taoism;

Thomas Aquinas is considered within the Catholic Church the greatest theologian and philosopher. The Summa Theologica is considered one of his masterpiece writings. It is 3,500 pages long, but did you know that it’s unfinished?

One day he had a profound experience and he stopped writing. His assistant kept asking him when they would resume this very important work they were doing, but Thomas kept sending him away. Confused on what was happening, his assistant asked him what was going on. Thomas said, “I’ve had an experience of God and now I know that everything I have written is mere straw. I will never write another word”, and he never did.

Such harmony with Lao Tzu words when he said; The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao.

You can check out Shawn's other musings here.