“Many of us naturally assume that a spiritual life is very hard work. This is not quite accurate. Rather trying to have a spiritual life is very hard work indeed. Trying to pray, trying to meditate, trying to study scriptures, trying to get healed, trying to act spiritually all the time - this can make anyone exhausted and miserable.
We assume that the hardest, most difficult path will always be the most fruitful in the end and that the more we bring suffering on ourselves, the more generously we will be rewarded. But if we listen to the great saints and teachers of the world, we are struck by one common theme: They all speak of how gentle it can be. Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are heavy laden, and I will give you rest . . . My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Thomas Merton says that in the moment we stop working for ourselves and begin working for the divine, we will be amazed how easily it all goes.”