Solitude

This morning I am looking forward to a quiet, simple day of doing some gardening, some computer work, meditating and solitude, partially reinforced by the shutdown.  I enjoy the solitude since it is easier for me to arrive at inner silence, which I find necessary if I am to listen to “that small quiet voice” and the voice of the Universe and God.  “It [inner silence] is to establish an inner peace, an inner harmony, which will allow us authentically to contribute to the establishment of an outer peace and an outer harmony in the world at large.” (Daniel A. Seeger)

Gratitude

When I woke this morning I noted the pain in my shoulder and lower back.  I got up, noted my stiffness and put a bag of trash out by the curb for pick-up.  I was not feeling pleased with any of that and was feeling life to be a chore.  It then occurred to me that I could feel grateful that I was capable of carrying the trash, grateful for my house, the curb and the service to pick it up!  I had a bit of an attitude shift and it now looks like a good day.  “Immersion in God entails a being filled with Him, a divine inflowing.  Biblical men knew well enough that this self-communication of God is the sole destiny of men.” (Thomas Dubay, S. M.)

Primordial Light

Yesterday I wrote of the primordial light that “still shines through everything we see and touch” and which I feel all of the time, whether it’s working in the garden, walking in the woods, watching a glorious sunrise, doing the dishes or sweeping the floor.  I depend on that precious feeling and its reality.  The God I know is responsible for it and Jesus knew of it.  I have heard people and spiritual leaders talk of a “down time” when they could not feel that Light or its guidance.  I hope that never happens to me and I believe if I continue with my daily practices, I will continue to feel it.

Focus

As I commented a few days back, “ I feel great Love, tremendous gratitude and eternity all day and every day” a condition I refer to as the Kingdom of God, which Jesus said was in the here and now not some future time.  I was not seeking it out it just happened as a result of my spiritual quest and I now work to maintain it by focusing on that primordial light which according to the gospels, “this primordial light not only brought the entire universe into being but still shines through everything we see and touch.”.  Jesus also said   ‘I am the light which is before all things.  It is I who am all things.  From me all things came forth, and to me all things extend.  Split a piece of wood, and I am there; lift up the stone, and you will find me.”  I attempt to sense that all day.

Discipline

Over the years, with Maria, I have developed a relatively monastic way of life which revolves around minimal distractions and maximal quiet meditative and contemplative time, especially the time I spend in prayer and meditation in the middle of the night.  In order to achieve that there is no TV, minimal radio, exercise, a lot of self-care and maintenance of healthy, balanced habits.  Maria has been living with and caring for her mother for the last couple of months so I have been on my own and I am pleased to note that I continue with the same disciplined way of life when I am on my own — with no-one watching.  I feel stronger in that.

Life

I have encountered and live a spiritually rooted and God connected way of life which is truly miraculous.  I feel great Love, tremendous gratitude and eternity all day and every day, which is even more remarkable given my age and physical condition.  The feeling does not come spontaneously, without effort and action on my part.  I have to remind myself that most people do not want to expend the effort and that initially I only made the effort out of desperation.  I now make the daily effort willingly but I used to expect my life to be given to me..