Becoming

Today was a quiet day, a day of freezing rain, ice, staying indoors, resting and meditating. During my meditation I was very aware of how different my outlook on life is from that of most people. I view the world’s events through the Absolute lense of unconditional love, meaning I can be at peace and enjoy the antics going on around me, while also seeing their self destructive nature or recognizing that we are destroying the planet. The fact is that I have done many foolish things in my life and now choose differently. In many ways we are all kids in a sandbox learning to be decent, loving humans.

Connection

For me the highlights of the last couple of days have been the periods of connection before, after and during the Friend’s and recovery meetings. This time of year I do not by gifts, cards or support the commercial aspects of the season. I do support the love and connection aspect now and through the year. I am also involved in unpacking boxes and setting up our new kitchen - trivial but enjoyable.

Mixed Feelings

Maria and I have now had the big items moved into our new home and we are now unpacking boxes. The technicians come on Monday to hook up our computer to the internet and set us up with a land-line phone. So, the final actions of the moving in process are finally happening. On the one hand I will be very glad to leave our current living situation at my mother-in-law’s house. I want my privacy, quiet, solitude and my own office and kitchen. On the other hand I will miss the family atmosphere and constantly being around my ninety-one year old mother-in-law. It’s good to have mixed feelings and it is time to move on.

Spirituality 2

For the last several years because of age and life experience, I have changed in the direction of love and spirituality. The change I have gone through was described very well by His Holiness The Dalai Lama when he wrote "Spirituality I take to be concerned with those attitudes of the human spirit----such as love and compassion, patience, tolerance, forgiveness, contentment, a sense of responsibility, a sense of harmony----which bring happiness to self and others.......Thus spiritual practice according to this description involves, on the one hand, acting out of concern for others’ well being. On the other hand it entails transforming ourselves so that we become more readily disposed to do so." The change has led to a wonderful life which I wish to share.

Love As a Force

As are many people, I am concerned about what I see in the world in general and this country in particular. There is a lot of fear, hurt, violence, ego, emphasis on short term gain and denial of warnings. I am passionate about love as a force that could turn things around. "If you can rise above the fear in your life and live the love within you, and if I can rise above my fear and live the love in me-----if that drama is reenacted enough times by enough of the world’s people-----then we will pierce the cosmic darkness and tip the world in the direction of light" (Williamson).

Challenge

"Every circumstance------no matter how painful-----is a gauntlet thrown down by the universe, challenging us to become who we are capable of being" (Williamson).  Inside each of us is a seed - that small quiet voice, the Love or God seed. It is time to nurture and develop that seed, that is what circumstances are calling us to do. I plan to answer that call by doing everything I can. Because of life circumstances, I have been developing that seed for years and I will continue.

Spirituality

The technological and scientific advances of the past decades are certainly exciting, engaging and distracting. However, by themselves they do not lead to a peaceful, serene and well balanced life. They are not a complete picture of what will lead us out of a life of stress. I strongly believe what Williamson says, that "The world we want for ourselves and our children will not emerge from electronic speed but rather from a spiritual stillness that takes root in our souls." The sort of approach to life that I write about in my book "Three Simple Questions: Being in the World, But Not of It. My approach is based on three questions to consider when planning any sort of activity. The questions are: would I do this in front of God, or whatever you call that power/force?; is my name really on it or is it really my responsibility?; will this increase the integrity of the universe, or is this loving? I wrote and published the book as part of my effort to change the world in the direction of being peaceful, serene and balanced through increased spirituality.