4.7 A Living Sacrifice.

This quest, this 49 days out of the wilderness, is intended to be a self-reflective change journey, with the primary goal being the experience of personal growth and success in self-discovery. The hope is for a change in thinking, and a change in practices. A change in thinking often involves a 'repentance' or a rethinking. This could be a discovery of the new or a rediscovery of the old. To date, we have examined our vocation, our household, our community, and lately, the body.

In summary, the reflection on the body has brought us to confront 'this mortal coil' -- that we are breath and dust, limited to times and seasons, and often encumbered by disease. Hence, we should listen to our body speak. Further, the characteristics of our bodies may lend themselves to exerting power over others based on the characteristics of their bodies. On the contrary, we might be enamoured by the multiple colours and kinds of bodies, the image they represent, and the electricity embued there. In short, we might find there a sense of appreciation leading to serendipity and grace. In the simplest terms, the body evokes these three reflections: our mortality, our loss or gain of power, and our sense of gratitude.

The end of this is a submission of the self, the living body, with gratitude for life, without despair or excesses of power. This body includes a renewed mind, which is always seeking a better pattern or image for that which is good.