Gratitude

My main activity today was preparing a six gallon batch of chili and then freezing it in quart containers. I cook it myself in order to use no preservatives, no added sugar, minimal salt and some local and organic ingredients. Food preparation is important to me and I feel a lot of gratitude for the ingredients and all of the work of various people in getting the food to my kitchen. I also met with one person and had a quiet, reflective day otherwise.

Letting Go

I am finding that I am developing some clarity about my next step as far as my main occupation, which has been a mental health therapist and is becoming an author. I am also finding, not surprisingly, that I wish to hold on to my past. There are signs in my life that it may be time to let go and move on, even if I do not feel ready yet. My history is that I tend to hold on too long. We shall see!

Guidance

I am in the early stages of setting up a panel discussion of my book, Three Simple Questions: Being in the World, But Not of It. I am not comfortable with activities that promote myself or my book, so setting up such a discussion is out of my comfort zone, though it feels like the right thing to do. I am also in the midst of significant life changes. In other words, much of my life is up in the air right now. I am "lost in a trackless desert", as Green says of a life of prayer. My position is ideal since I have given up attachments and am ready to listen and act accordingly. My position is also a bit uncomfortable in that there is a total lack of known and familiar signposts. It’s time to pray, ask for guidance, meditate and have faith!

Acting Out Of Love

I would like to live in a world of peace, love and interconnectedness and will do everything I can to promote that. As a species we are not there yet but moving in that direction, slowly. The most effective actions I can take to promote that are to act out of love and refuse to act out of fear. For example, I have written my book and contribute to several causes because they contribute to that loving interconnectedness. I also get fear based mail or hear news reports that say basically that some sort of disaster will happen if I do not act immediately The messages are fear based and meant to increase the clamor in my head so I meditate to clear the clamor, do not open the mail and turn off the radio. If I am put in a position where action on one of these causes is required of me, then I act, otherwise most situations are not my business. My primary and most effective responsibility whether interacting with others or raking leaves, is to act and think out of love and interconnectedness.

Following A Spiritual Path

I realize that it is not a popular concept but, as I point out in my book, following a spiritual path is often unpleasant and difficult, though the results are well worth it. The difficulty stems from the fact that staying on the path requires a great deal of introspection and discipline. It is also necessary to give up attachments to things within the created order and much ego involvement. In many cases following the guidance of a teacher or guide is needed. I have had to do everything I just described and continue with everything except having a teacher, at this time. As a result I have a wonderful life, feel a strong love for everything and everybody and consider my extensive physical problems to be an inconvenience.