The doubt of Perplexity, the mystics helped me to see, was just the fire I needed to purge me of previously unacknowledged arrogance.*
Brian McLaren

There is inherent sadness and tragedy in almost all situations: in our relationships, our mistakes, our failures large and small, and even our victories … grief and sadness are doorways to understanding life in a non egocentric way.**
Richard Rohr

Through Simplicity and even Complexity,
The ego may be found roaming happily, but
on encountering Perplexity,^ and losing certainty and
competence and getting and status, it may only continue
through its transformation, made possible through
humility and curiosity and learning and sacrifice.

*Brian McLaren’s Faith After Doubt;
**Richard Rohr’s The Tears of Things;
^Brian McLaren writes of four stages or seasons that the human soul journeys through: Simplicity, Complexity, Perplexity, and Harmony. Perplexity is comprised of what does not add up and hurts and wrongs and even destroys in life, though ultimately serving us towards moving from the Ego to the True Self. Our response is a desire for rightness and goodness and justice.