The Elixir of Air
Unguessed Gifts of Addiction
by
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Be Slow to Rue False Gods
Addicts become obsessed with their drug,
will do anything to have it near,
will let relationships and job go,
reputation and dreams go,
health and innermost spirit go,
before letting it go—
worship and service fit for an Absolute.
But let’s not confine talk of idolatry to addiction by chemical.
What about work and money,
television and food,
gambling and shopping,
sex and success?
Can not each become a god exacting sacrifice and devotion?
Be slow, though, to rue false gods.
Spiritual seeking begins when attachments prove bankrupt,
journey of self-transcendence begins
only when self in desperation is forced to transcend.
Who appreciates freedom
more than one who has known slavery,
experiences resurrection
more that one who has known death,
hungers for God
more than one who has found lesser gods bankrupt?
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About the Book
Addiction of one kind or another touches us all. Given its destructive course, it would seem an unequivocal curse to be lamented. The thrust of The Elixir of Air, however, is that it need not be. Addiction can in fact be a hidden blessing for what it forces us to face and change in our lives, for the spirit journey it rudely launches us on. Which is not to glamorize the searing pain experienced by addicts and their loved ones. Addiction''s gathering force is such that only searing pain can stop us in our tracks long enough to make possible a life transformation. We are in the presence here of the great mystery of death required for rebirth. Addressing addiction brings us to holy ground.
About the Author
Charles Finn spent ten years in the Society of Jesus after graduating from high school in
Finn wrote the internationally-known poem “Please Hear What I’m Not Saying,” His website {www.poetrybycharlescfinn.com) gives information about “Please Hear,” five published books of poetry, and a collection of “Earthtalks.”
All of Finn’s writings relate to the spirit journey. His own has been grounded in Catholicism and nourished by Jesuit, Taoist, Native American, Creation-Centered and Quaker spiritualities.