Connection

Every morning, around sunrise, I go out into our backyard to bless this house, the neighborhood and all the plants and animals. There is a particular tree, a large, old willow oak, next to our deck that assists me and continues the process. I always touch that tree, say good morning and thank it for assisting me. "Consider the Polynesians, who believe that everything physical ------ stone, wood, a flower ----- has a numinous quality; that each thing on Earth emanates an inherent spirit that glows from within" (Nepo).

Listening

As I said two days ago, my wife and I are creating a sacred zone in and around our home. We each find the process to be very challenging and fulfilling. The main challenges are being a clear channel for listening, taking appropriate action and being patient enough to let the peocess unfold. In the words of Sogyal Rinpoche "Listening is a far more difficult process than most people imagine; really to listen in the way that is meant by the masters is to let go utterly of ourselves, to let go of all the information, all of the concepts, all the ideas and all the prejudices that our heads are stuffed with."

Truth

The eternal Truth is a part of all religions, creeds and disciplines. The Truth of love, connection and consciousness also transcends them and exists separate from them. A person can arrive at their awareness and live them through a variety of paths and the one chosen makes no significant difference. The end result is magnificent! "I offer my salutations to all the prophets, creeds, religions, etc. I know they are not real, they are only the play of this consciousness. The truth, the eternal, cannot be witnessed. It ever prevails." (Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj).

Foundation

In addition to attending Friend’s and recovery meetings, I have been doing a lot of things around our new house, basically building a foundation of harmony, love and sacredness. Today I went to a Friend’s meeting and continued my refinishing of furniture. I have also been cooking and freezing meals. In the process of doing these things I treat all of them as sacred, keeping in mind that "Every moment and everything we do, think, or say should become a living experience of the divine being." (Kopp). I also began my MD service work last week by mentoring someone so I am beginning to go beyond a foundation.

Meditation

I am a regular attendee at Friend’s (Quaker) meetings since they practice no dogma or formal ceremony. They are a group of people who gather together in order that they, like me, may experience being in the "Light" of God or love through meditative silence and a few simple words. The experience is much stronger in a group setting and is summarized nicely by the words of Dillard; "I cannot cause light; the most I can do is try to put myself in the path of its beam. It is possible, in deep space, to sail on solar wind. Light, be it particle or wave, has force: you rig a giant sail and go. The secret of seeing is to sail on solar wind. Hone and spread your spirit till you yourself are a sail, whetted, translucent, broadside to the merest puff."

Finding Peace

It’s about 1:00 A.M. and here I sit in the silence feeling love, peace and well being. Earlier today I was in my car at a stoplight and the green arrow came on for the left turn of the car to my left. The car waited a second or two too long for the car behind so that car honked - no love, peace and well being there. This evening I was reading in the paper about the plans of the republicans to dismantle Obama’s A.C.A., then about some of Europe’s negative responses to refugees - no love, peace and well being there either. I do everything I can to bring about peace in this world but I also value and keep returning to the peace I find in the silence. "If you believe the noises of the world rather than the silences of your soul, you will be lost." (Walsch)

Being of Service 2

Yesterday I spoke of the experience of truly being of service to someone else with no self-serving thoughts, actions or involvement. I am reminded of another comment by Walsch when he wrote "Once you’ve had such a magnificent experience, it can be very difficult to go back to "real life" in a way that blends well with what other people are calling "reality". That is because your reality has shifted. It has become something else. It has expanded, grown. And it cannot be shrunk again. It’s like trying to get the genie back in the bottle. It can’t be done." The experience does really change my view of reality in a way that does not return.

Being of Service

In my working with a new person today I got in what I call the "zone", a place of power and love where true connection and transformation happen. It has been several months since I experienced the feeling of being in the zone with that intensity. The experience was exhilarating and exhausting. I can’t say that I know exactly how that happens but what I do is to place my own thoughts, plans and biases in the background so I can truly listen and then ask the Universe/God for support and guidance to be of maximum service. It is important that my focus on the other person be complete.

Listening

I begin working as a mentor with a new person tomorrow, a sacred responsibility and one that requires that I listen and follow guidance. The biggest challenge for me is to keep my own thoughts, plans and biases in the background so I can truly listen and guide them on their path - not mine. I need to remember what Walsch says, that "Know that you are your own highest authority. Whether you read the Talmud or the Bible, the Bhagavad Gita or the Qur’an, the Pali Canon or the Book of Mormon, or any holy text, do not place your source of authority outside of you. But, rather, go within to see if the truth you’ve found is in harmony with the truth you find in your heart. If it is, do not say to others "this book is true." Say, 'this book is true for me.'"

Beginning

It’s the new year and I have a strong sense that it is time to "begin" - the problem is that I do not know what to begin yet. I suspect that "way will be shown". I continue to establish myself in the spiritual community here and I will keep up the progress. We have been moving into our "new" house, a process that will continue. I have also been refinishing pieces of furniture. All-in-all it is time to continue, do everything in a sacred/respectful/honoring manner and be patient.