Someone made a comment on eastern and western spirituality as follows: I think I am coming to understand the Eastern vs. Western mindset much better. It seems to me that the west lacks patience and thrives on milestones or goals instead of enjoying the state one may be in. The east seems to focus more on the journey rather than the destination, therefore "stages" are not as important. I am trying to re-learn my thoughts because I believe that all of eternity will better reflect the Eastern mindset. Would you think this to be correct interpretation? I think you can compare east and west to a set of lungs. The person needs both lungs to function rightly. This is one of the great sadnesses of the great schism that cut us of from each other. I think its also the reason why the Holy Father is working so hard to reunite us. A liturgy expert homed in or differing ways of looking at things. We tend to see when the bell rings at the consecration as the moment when the bread becomes the body of Christ whereas in the east they would see the whole Eucharistic prayer as the time, rather than the actual moment of consecration. When you think about it both could be said to be correct, it is just a differing way of looking at things. In the west we like to takes things apart, in the east to take things as a given. But I think the providence of God is at work here. The needs of an office worker may be different than the peasant working the fields in the Ukraine. It bears remembering that some in the east prefer the western way just as some in the west prefer the eastern. Again you come back to the question of what is the best way to cook eggs?/ The answer is whatever suits you. Of couse many of the eastern rites are in full communion with the Holy Father in Rome, such as the Uniates in Russia. Also at Pope JP's funeral we say eastern rites at the Popes bier. As to heaven, I can only guess, who knows?? I think different people will be up to differing things.
thanks for the thoughts. I understand this topic much better. Learning is a real challenge because there is so much.
