Hiddenness
Not everyone has to know everything he says as he writes a blog for mass consumption and runs a theatre company and teaches at a public institution of higher education.
“One of the reasons that hiddenness is such an important aspect of the spiritual life is that it keeps us focused on God. In hiddenness we do not receive human acclamation, admiration, support, or encouragement. In hiddenness we have to go to God with our sorrows and joys and trust that God will give us what we most need.
In our society we are inclined to avoid hiddenness. We want to be seen and acknowledged. We want to be useful to others and influence the course of events. But as we become visible and popular, we quickly grow dependent on people and their responses and easily lose touch with God, the true source of our being. Hiddenness is the place of purification. In hiddenness we find our true selves.”
―Henri J.M. Nouwen, Bread for the Journey
Whoa. “In hiddenness we do not receive… support, or encouragement.”
And
“We quickly grow dependent on people and their responses.”
Been there? Been there.
In my theatre classes, I’ve long taught a principle I picked up from graduate school: good stories stay ahead of the audience. They keep secrets from the audience for as long as possible so that the audience is prompted to lean forward and pay attention. After all, if they had the full story, they’d not need us to tell it.
The power of a story or a lesson often lies in what is not immediately apparent, in the secrets that slowly unravel, inviting deeper engagement and understanding.
That word “secret” also appears in medieval theatre as the tricks and special effects that take the audience by surprise. “How did they pull that off?” Secrets in the theatre (and in the guilds that made theatre) were what put members (and, eventually, audiences) on the inside of the group or the joke or the moment of delight.
Obviously, there are kinds of hiddenness and secrets that are not good to keep.
The withholding of information, be it in a story or in our personal journeys, isn't merely about creating suspense or mystery. It's about guiding an audience, or ourselves, to a deeper understanding, a more profound experience.
Just as a play gradually unfolds its narrative, keeping its audience engaged and longing for more, our spiritual journey too unravels its layers in due time, often in hiddenness, away from public awareness or recognition. In other words:
The sacredness of hiddenness comes because of what is hidden from us.
We don’t know what’s coming. And yet we wait.
Meditation: The Sacred Hidden
In the hiddenness of Advent, we find a sacred space to reflect and renew. This season calls us to embrace the parts of ourselves and our journey that are not always visible to the world. Like treasures waiting to be discovered, our hidden strengths, hopes, and dreams lie in wait. Advent invites us to explore these inner sanctuaries, to uncover the richness that lies beneath the surface. In the quiet, in the hidden corners of our being, we find the true essence of our spirit, waiting to be revealed in its full glory.
Interior Examen: Understanding Our Hidden Selves
Reflect on aspects of your life or personality that you keep hidden. What are these hidden parts, and why do you choose to keep them concealed?
How can the season of Advent inspire you to explore and embrace these hidden aspects? Consider the growth and self-discovery that might come from this exploration.
In what ways can acknowledging and embracing your hidden self lead to a deeper, more authentic experience of Advent and the Christmas season?