The good thing about taking notes when I read is that I can post what I learn, and remember it better also.If Leisure the Basis of Culture by Pieper was my own, I'd highlight it all the way through. Apparently, the fact that it's a library book didn't cause others to hesitate. One learns about another when one reads a book that has been highlighted, that's for sure.
Some of what I learned applies to educating my children. From the position of teacher, I'd love to end up with educated children by this definition. "An educated man is a man with a point of view from which he takes in the whole world." And, the point of view I wish to instill in them is God-based and perceptive. This fits nicely with Pieper's point through the whole book.
But it was the definition of leisure that made me think most. And leisure, in this case, has nothing to do with sitting around. I began to see my perspective on life and work as wrong. What if it has limited me as I strive to grow?
Reading Pieper's definitions of leisure made me think of several verses....
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and turn not to your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.--Worry about nothing, but in everything by prayers and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God, and the peace of God which passes all understanding shall keep your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.--Delight your heart in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.--For I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me, and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek me, and find me, when you search for Me with all your heart. (Prov. 3:5-6; Phil. 4:6-7; Psalms 37:4-5; Jer. 29:11-13)According to Pieper, a leisurely mindset holds loose hands on the reins of life, remaining open to experience and change. It remains contemplative and willing to see truth without imposing it's will into the situation. It remains worshipful toward God and celebrates every experience, knowing there is something greater and deeper to glean from it. It is peaceful, but active. It maintains silence and waits patiently for developments instead of always trying to limit or force life into a predefined mold. It looks further than its own interests and sees "being as a whole."(Pieper)
"Cut off from worship of the divine, leisure becomes laziness and work inhuman."(Pieper)
Pieper claims leisure results in an effortless ability to work, rest, learn and live... the catch being that we must release the right we claim to control life, and respond to life from a state of worshipful wonder. Now, this could easily lead to foolishness if we imposed our own desire as that which must be worshiped.
This is often what I do when I worship. I tell God who He is or even replace Him. But this replacement isn't what I think Pieper is referring to. Rather, leisure comes when we are so tuned into the Spirit of Truth that every thought or activity we are directed toward flows with rejoicing acceptance.
It is because we are so blinded by our own will that we need to study God and His Word so closely. Once we see Him clearly, perceiving His way, it becomes peaceful to follow it, even when it is hard. "Not my will, but Thine," becomes a way of life. "Sacrifice is the living heart of worship." (Pieper) And this is a leisure I look forward to maintaining for eternity. It is not harps floating on clouds, but natural service to one who knows how best to use the abilities we are designed with. Rather than being like dusters asked to tighten bolts, we will be positioned to follow most gloriously and naturally. And are we not all glad when we have grown in accomplishment? I do not think God ever directs His people to stagnate or decay.
And now? Now I must recognize I have labeled service as a burden. No wonder God asks me to give it to Him! Upon how many other things do I maintain my own perspective, thus making it impossible for me to follow rightly? Can it be that every command from Him which I perceive as a burden is one I am not seeing clearly in light of truth?
My privilege is to sacrifice my self in order to actively follow, listening for Him with silence of spirit, knowing His Spirit will be there to fill the void. Then, and only then, will serving become light.
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This is going to stray into personal experience a bit, so forgive me in advance.
Pieper's idea about the experience of the world being one of taking the world in, in wonder, is one definition I would give to the sacramental life. (Anyone needing a good explanation of what is meant by the sacramental life should check out "For the Life of the World" by Alexander Schmemann).
My days (ideally, because I fail at this so much) revolve around set times of morning, mid-day, and evening prayer. My weeks revolve around the corporate worship (litorgeia) of the Church. And what I am just now learning, is that my years cycle through the Church's liturgical cycle, with all is prescribed Fasts and Feasts, with seasons of the Church year and the seasons of nature, all bound up together, are shaping in me a sacramental understanding even of the experience of time.
The constant experience of worshipful wonder are summed up best in the 103rd Psalm (which is chanted at evening Vepsers on Saturday nights) "O Lord, how magnified are Thy Works; in wisdom hast Thou made them all." And what ineffable, magnanimous Love must he Have, to let someone like me share in that, and in my unworthiness offer Him praise for His perfection?
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