Dr. King proposed that “human salvation lies in the hands of the creatively maladjusted.”
This seems to be another way to say that to conform to what is can result in abandoning one’s creativity and uniqueness and responsibility.
It is the maladjusted, those who resist adjusting to a bad system and use their imagination and creativity to find alternatives and make them happen, who usher in the way of the future, the way of healing or salvation.
Non-dualism in a time of dualism constitutes such a resistance.
Dr. King challenged dualism in his struggle to educate segregationists and Jim Crow diehards sixty years ago when he criticized the “unbiblical” and “strange” separation of body and soul, spirit and matter in those who resist the progress of justice and compassion and awareness of the suffering of others.
But strife and conflict often accompany refusals to submit to structures that perpetuate injustice.
Dr. King was a person who was “maladjusted” in the face of structural injustice. He inspired millions in his time and since to move beyond adjusting or fitting in with the limited options society sometimes offers us.
M. D. Chenu was that kind of person also–“creatively maladjusted.” He dared to think out of the box of absolutes and designed an education program for aspiring clergy that took into account the needs of the people.
The price he paid for this was steep–his book was put on the Index in 1942.
Later he was silenced and exiled for supporting the “worker priest” movement. That in turn resulted in his being banished in 1954 from living in Paris, an exile that continued right up to the time of the Second Vatican Council in 1962.
But there he made his mark and contributed profoundly to it. In his exile, he could write things like this: “Our being is born of love.”
That is the meaning of transcendence and all beings share in that love, “every creature loves the all more than himself and God more than the all.” We are part of “the ecstatic re-creation of creation.”
Chenu learned to “live on the margins” and existing on the margins, today’s science instructs us, is where the deepest creativity occurs in nature.
Adapted from M. D. Chenu, “Body and Body Politic in the Creation Spirituality of Thomas Aquinas,” in Matthew Fox, ed., Western Spirituality: Historical Roots, Ecumenical Routes, pp. 210-212.
See also: Matthew Fox, Creativity: Where the Divine and the Human Meet.
Also see Theodore Richards, Creatively Maladjusted: The Wisdom Education Movement Manifesto.
To read the transcript of Matthew Fox’s video teaching, click HERE.
Banner image: “Maladjusted.” Symbol from a poster quoting Martin Luther King’s statement: “Human salvation lies in the hands of the creatively maladjusted.” Photo by Duncan Kimball. Wikimedia Commons.
Queries for Contemplation
What experiences have you undergone of exile or “living on the margins”? What was born of such experiences?
Recommended Reading
Western Spirituality: Historical Roots, Ecumenical Routes
In this book, Fox gathers scholars from various cultures and traditions such as Helen Kenik, Jon Sobrino, Nicolas Berdyaev, Rosemary Ruether, M. D. Chenu, Mary Jose Hobday, Ronald Miller, Monika Hellwig, James Kenney, Justin O’Brien and others to approach creation spirituality from many traditions and many angles.
“An exciting and important book…a pleasant alternative to the oppressive burden of the fall/redemption tradition.” ~ New Review of Books and Religion
Creativity: Where the Divine and Human Meet
Because creativity is the key to both our genius and beauty as a species but also to our capacity for evil, we need to teach creativity and to teach ways of steering this God-like power in directions that promote love of life (biophilia) and not love of death (necrophilia). Pushing well beyond the bounds of conventional Christian doctrine, Fox’s focus on creativity attempts nothing less than to shape a new ethic.
“Matt Fox is a pilgrim who seeks a path into the church of tomorrow. Countless numbers will be happy to follow his lead.” –Bishop John Shelby Spong, author, Rescuing the Bible from Fundamentalism, Living in Sin
12 thoughts on “MLK & Chenu on the “Creative Maladjustment” Creativity Requires”
Matthew, You begin you meditation with: “Dr. King proposed that ‘human salvation lies in the hands of the creatively maladjusted.’” Then you write: “It is the maladjusted, those who resist adjusting to a bad system and use their imagination and creativity to find alternatives and make them happen, who usher in the way of the future, the way of healing or salvation.” So, Dr. King was a person who was “maladjusted” in the face of structural injustice. And, M. D. Chenu was that kind of person also–“creatively maladjusted.” He dared to think out of the box… And then you write: “Later he was silenced and exiled for supporting the “worker priest” movement. That in turn resulted in his being banished in 1954 from living in Paris, an exile that continued right up to the time of the Second Vatican Council in 1962.” Chenu learned to “live on the margins” and existing on the margins, today’s science instructs us, is where the deepest creativity occurs in nature. In this regard, I had a friend who used to day, “If you’re not living on the edge, you’re taking up too much space!” You ask us: “What experiences have you undergone of exile or ‘living on the margins’?” I have lived in the nowhere land between two different denominations which were diametrically opposed to each other…
“It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society.” J. Krishnamurti
I’m appreciative of this redefinition of the meaning of malajusted. It actually brought a smile to my face, as I totally relate to being a creative malajusted. Throughout my entire calling of tending to the needs of the elders, within the institution of long term care, I have walked the narrow path of salvation; of communal transformation, rather than conforming to the methodology of this health care system… whose focus is profitability rather than person centered. I have always advocated for the needs and the wellbeing of the aging, along with justice for the elders under my care, refusing to adjust to an unjust system in my attempt to be a bridge… by valuing love, compassion, mercy and justice; first and foremost, with regards to creatively responding to those whom are suffering.
I’ve paid the price for this. At times when I’ve taken much needed space and distance to lick my wounds, I’ve questioned is it worth the pain and suffering I’ve had to endure, when transformation within the unjust system seems to be lacking? Yet, hearing today’s DM helped me to understand and see the beauty of a kind of calling within a calling… that of a health care worker, rooted in love, compassion and mercy; and also a creative malajusted prophet!
Salvation as communal transformation, rather than conforming… gives formation a whole new spin, in light of today’s DM! Thank you so much for todays message.
Personally, I dropped out of the patriarchal institutional Catholic Church a few years ago. I have lost a sense of church community that my wife belongs to, and two close friends who are traditional catholics. However, I continue to have faith in deep ecumenism/interspirituality and mystical traditions on my spiritual journey of growing in God’s Loving Presence in my heart, with others, with Sacred Mother Nature/Earth, and Sacred multidimensions~multiverse ongoing co-Creation~Evolving Cosmos of Loving Diverse Oneness….
🔥💜🌎🙏
“We are stardust, we are golden, and we’ve got to get ourselves back to the garden.” From the song “Woodstock” by Joni Mitchell
Some protagonists of the status quo, whether institutional church or otherwise, relish the belief that they are radicals and operating ‘on the fringes’ when they in fact are another version of that which they oppose. They liken themselves to be ‘water’ compared to Coke, but in fact they are a Pepsi in a war of ‘likes. They are the hardest to ‘see themselves’ in a mirror. — BB.
Bill, I do not know where you are coming from but when you say: “Some protagonists of the status quo, whether institutional church or otherwise, relish the belief that they are radicals and operating ‘on the fringes’ when they in fact are another version of that which they oppose.” From the comments you make it seem that you are antagonistic towards what we are doing and it seems as if what you have written is nothing more than an insult to Matthew for you end your comment with: “They liken themselves to be ‘water’ compared to Coke, but in fact they are a Pepsi in a war of ‘likes. They are the hardest to ‘see themselves’ in a mirror.” I think you need to look at yourself in the mirror!
Richard it was you who wrote, “I have lived in the nowhere land between two different denominations which were diametrically opposed to each other…”. Is this not what I speak of as well?
Why did you make this into a discussion concerning Matthew? Are my words challenging to you, myself, all of us? — BB.
I have lived on the margins and been marginalized due to visible disability, which has put me firmly into the “other” category in many situations. It has made me bitter and resentful at times of being on the “outside”, and it has also stoked my passion to fight injustice and made me compassionate for all those who are in that same place. I love the concept of creative maladjustment. Conformity is the enemy, and loving action against injustice is the victory. It is ironic that after years of not being able to attend church and being left out in so many ways I was asked to serve on the Session in my Presbyterian church for my “wisdom” ostensibly; also, in truth, for inclusion in attempts at diversity since I am now an aged, disabled woman. God surely has a sense of humor.
Sue, Congratulations !!! And thank God for “God’s sense of humor.”
Profound hearing loss more than a decade ago switched me into the category of “disabled” that I had only marginally paid attention to before. I had to navigate in a world that didn’t want to be “bothered with” disabled people and resented any “inconvenience” that accommodation would “impose.” I realized how much I myself had been guilty of ignoring and marginalizing disabled people up until that point. It was a painful and humbling self-admission.
Now, I’m aware of how many people have to cope with disabilities in a world that wants to happy-pretend we don’t exist and openly discriminates against us. One of the most insidious abuses I’ve seen has been the ubiquitous trend of ABLED people USING disabled narratives for “inspiration porn” (as the disability rights community scornfully calls it) when disabled people are expected (REQUIRED) to produce uplifting, heartwarming stories of resilience, overcoming the odds, “defying their limitations,” etc, etc.
This is a horrible injustice. It silences the voices of pain and hardships, the staggering discrimination, the depression and despair that disabled people actually live with. It buries the injustice that’s happening all around you. It also leads to many suicides, when peoples’ pain is ignored or minimized so much that they give up.
“I had no idea they were so depressed.” is an inevitable eulogy.
Melinda, Since I have retired from the ministry, my wife and I have spent our time visiting and being care givers for the elderly and disabled. So I am aware of what you say, but I was not aware of what your refer to when you say: “One of the most insidious abuses I’ve seen has been the ubiquitous trend of ABLED people USING disabled narratives for “inspiration porn” (as the disability rights community scornfully calls it) when disabled people are expected (REQUIRED) to produce uplifting, heartwarming stories of resilience, overcoming the odds, ‘defying their limitations,’ etc, etc.” I’m very sorry to hear this. May God bless you.