good and its delight.” (Divine Providence 279.4)
Much of what the Writings teach is contrary to the whole tenor of modern
thought, but this particular truth – that regeneration is a gradual process, not a
transformation that takes place in a moment, as if by magic – strikes me as an
idea that fits very well with the modern view of human progress. It is a process
of spiritual evolution that we can understand and cooperate with. We cannot
regenerate ourselves, but have a part in the process.
Regeneration involves a radical reordering of the mind. Our spiritual
condition at birth is upside down – with the loves of self and the world ruling,
rather than the loves of the Lord and the neighbor that prevail in heaven. To
reverse this mental order, to turn us right side up, is a major operation. It is
accomplished in a series of stages, which we can outline briefly as:
1) examining ourselves
2) discerning the evils we are prone to
3) acknowledging that we are affected by them
4) refraining from them
And the whole process must be carried out prayerfully, with a sincere
turning to the Lord for guidance and help.
This process of self-discovery, determination to do better, and then actually
doing it, is said to be “the Christian religion itself.” (See Divine Providence
278a, and True Christian Religion 530 and 567.5)
The first step is introspection, or to use the term the Writings use more
frequently, self-examination. Before we can repent we have to see what it is
we need to repent of.
Not all introspection is equally useful; it can be just neurotic and pointless
– an agonizing, unproductive obsession with self that leads to no good end.
Beneficial introspection is not a never-ending cycle of self-criticism, but is a
deliberate exercise to be entered into periodically for the purpose of becoming
a better person.
Introspection with a view toward improvement rests on the assumption
that it is possible to become a better person, and an idea of how that can be
achieved. Our religion teaches us that it is not only possible, but imperative,
that we change and grow spiritually, and also explains the things we need to
do toward that end. The Church also offers the sacrament of the Holy Supper
at regular interval 2F