By Beth Baskin
Once upon a time, there was a young woman named Beth, whose insatiable curiosity guided her throughout her life. With an adventurous spirit and a desire to explore beyond the ordinary, she embarked on a journey of self-discovery and gained deep insights.
Beth’s journey mirrored that of the heroine from Lewis Carroll’s classic, “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.” Just as the fictional Alice followed a curious rabbit into a fantastical world, this modern Alice answered the call of the unknown. She realized that authentic learning occurs when curiosity leads her, fueling exploration and questions.
By asking questions and pursuing unexpected paths, she
discovered new opportunities for understanding.
The phrase “going down the rabbit hole” became an important metaphor in Beth’s life, symbolizing her quest to delve deeper into her consciousness and discover hidden truths. She might not have known where the rabbit hole would take her, but she felt compelled to follow it. This experience sparked a deep spiritual awakening and a significant shift in her outlook, prompting her to reevaluate her reality and core beliefs.
It necessitated that she see past the surface and embrace the profound changes waiting for her.
Her journey involved challenges, moments of confusion, and uncertainty, much like Alice’s experiences in Carroll’s story. Just as the fictional Alice exclaimed, “Curiouser and curiouser!” in wonder at the increasingly strange events in Wonderland, the modern Alice also found herself amazed by the surprising twists in her life. This phrase, now meaning something confusing, captured the essence of her unfolding journey.
Ultimately, Beth realized that the deepest learning comes from embracing the unknown, allowing her curiosity to guide her into uncharted territory. She learned to question traditional norms and customs, opening herself up to a world full of wonder and
limitless opportunities, much like many readers who see Carroll’s Alice as a symbol of the adventurous spirit within all of us.
Pastor Paula has shared three scriptural contexts that offer different perspectives, involving awe, wonder, and today, curiosity.
The first well-known story involves Moses and the burning bush. Imagine yourself in Moses’ position as he tends to his sheep on the mountainside and
notices a bush that burns but is not consumed… This important moment teaches us that God can reveal our purpose in the most unexpected places and encourages us to stay open to His call, especially in our everyday lives. Curiosity and wonder push us to slow
down and pay attention to the subtle messages that may come through. It shows that God chooses and prepares seemingly ordinary people—like you and me—for extraordinary missions, despite our flaws.
Moses only heard God’s voice when he turned to investigate the burning bush, demonstrating that divine communication often waits for our curiosity to
lead us off the familiar path. We might miss sacred moments if we focus too much on the plan instead of embracing the mystery.
In the familiar passage from Matthew, we are reminded of the importance of self-awareness and self-reflection before passing judgment on others. It encourages us to reflect on our own actions and flaws, addressing them first before guiding or
criticizing others. By recognizing and rectifying our imperfections, we can cultivate humility, empathy, and a more profound understanding of those around us. Prioritizing self-reflection allows us to approach others with a more open and compassionate mindset. John O’Donohue writes in “Eternal Echoes: Celtic Reflections on Our Yearning to Belong,” “When you limit your life to one frame of thinking, you close out the mystery.”
Finally, the excerpt from Proverbs 2 highlights the importance of having a diligent and open attitude toward wisdom, which involves actively listening to and absorbing teachings. This pursuit shapes our inner selves, shifts our perspectives, and guides our
choices. Wisdom and understanding are priceless and should be pursued passionately, like searching for valuable metals or hidden treasures. Following God can be predictable and full of surprises. We are called to seek Him like a treasure.
From a blog by a Benedictine oblate, the following questions are posed:
Can we approach our neighbors with a sense of wonder, in the spirit of hospitality? Is it possible to maintain a curious heart even amidst passionate disagreements? Instead of defaulting to the usual divisions, can we cultivate understanding? Instead of adhering strictly to established norms or deeply rooted beliefs, can we embrace curiosity? Rather than trying to alter someone else’s viewpoint or defend our own, could we be amazed by the vast universe that encompasses such a variety of perspectives? Is it feasible to set aside disagreements while our eagerness to learn from others takes precedence?
In *Healing the Heart of Democracy: Parker Palmer challenges us to ponder this question:, “What do I have in common with people who, for example, regard their religious or political convictions as so authoritative that they feel no need to listen to anyone who sees things differently-especially that small subgroup of extremists who would use violence to advance their views?”
This is a tough one. Conflicts can intensify and lead to separation. I have engaged in meaningful discussions driven by curiosity that promote a deeper understanding, but I’ve also experienced the pain of rejection when someone isn’t receptive to my experiences, emotions, or perspectives. When the door is firmly closed, it halts the potential for idea exploration, and some people act as if they possess all knowledge, leaving no space for sharing or learning. However, in many instances, a bit of
curiosity, astonishment, attentive listening, and respect could serve as a remedy. While it may not change minds or beliefs, it can certainly touch hearts. Like Palmer, I am convinced that we can discover even “the smallest patch of common ground” with those
who think differently from us. He proposes several “habits of the heart” grounded in curiosity and humility —such as listening to one another openly and fearlessly, deepening empathy, questioning and engaging in discussions, and embracing our differences while valuing our connections.
Ultimately, both curiosity and awe are vital for spiritual growth, encouraging us to search, appreciate, and connect with something beyond ourselves. Curiosity fuels our quest for knowledge, encouraging us to seek out new concepts, pose questions, and push our boundaries.
So, what about these divine rabbit holes? Spiritual rabbit holes refer to those intriguing journeys of thought, exploration, or experience that begin with a single question, moment, or insight and expand into something vast, enigmatic, and transformative. Awe
is merely the entrance to a richer spiritual journey—it opens the door to greater understanding. When we pursue wonder in our everyday lives, we find ourselves drawn to deeper questions, sacred revelations, and unexpected intimacy with the divine.
Rabbit holes aren’t just distractions; they invite us to delve deeper.
Let us pray:
“God of wonder, thank You for the mysteries You readily present. Grant us the vision to see, the hearts to follow, and the bravery to chase the divine rabbit holes You place before us. Lead us from curiosity to communion. Amen.”
In closing, this week, embrace your rabbit holes. Let curiosity be your guide—ask questions, feel the awe, sense the mystery, and notice the deeper meanings
beneath the surface. Spiritual curiosity is sacred; it is the initial spark that suggests, “There’s more here than meets the eye—what is it?” Communion happens when curiosity evolves into connection, like intimacy with God—a shared presence and a relationship that goes beyond mere inquiries. These flickers of curiosity are subtle yet profound nudges that encourage us to pause, wonder, and pursue deeper understanding. They may not always be loud or clear; they feel like holy sparks—brief moments when the soul whispers, “Take notice.” So, when we
pray, “Lead us from curiosity to communion,” we express a desire for closeness, for our wonder to become relational. May our quest to know transform into a desire to love and to be loved.