Karlfried Graf Durkheim (1896-1988) was a German diplomat, psychotherapist, and Zen master. This spiritual tome is a blend of Depth Psychology, Christian mysticism, and Zen. The author sees the central aim of life as being "the transformation of our being into an expression of Divine Being." This involves a process of inner work which takes us beyond the small world of our ego and into the broader context of service of others. We are here to manifest the divine in the world. Rather than concerning ourselves with Heaven we are challenged to find beauty and meaning in the daily round of ordinary activities. According to Durckheim, making tea, mailing a letter, or washing the kitchen floor can become a spiritual practice if it is done with attention, care and love.
This path also includes taking care of our bodies (gesture, movement, and posture) and practicing meditation. Durckheim presents what he calls the five spokes in the Wheel of Transformation:
1. The practice of critical awareness.
2. The letting go of all that stands in the way of new becoming.
3. Union with the Ground of Being.
4. New becoming in accordance with the inner image which has arisen from the Ground of Being.
5. Putting to the test this new form, practicing it in everyday life and noting all failures by means of critical awareness.
It is challenging to see the changes that can come in our lives as we do the inner and outer work necessary to express the Divine within the precincts of everyday life.
