Reason says, the world is limited in six directions There is no way out Love says, there is a way And I have traveled it many times ~Rumi When we are unsure about something, or making a decision, or figuring something out, or choosing a course of action, we often turn to reason. We make lists of pros and …
Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on these things. ~Philippians 4:8 Since the beginning of the year, I have paid a lot more attention to my thoughts. Many of us …
Discernment has been the topic of several recent conversations. How do we recognize the voice of discernment when we are trying to determine a course of action? You’ve probably seen a cartoon character with an angel on one shoulder and a devil on the other, each one urging an opposite decision. Discernment can sometimes feel …
I’ve been joking that I’ve waited ten years for another word of the year. My last word of the year was in 2013, and the word was “wait.” At the end of 2013, I wanted to go into the new year with a completely open mind – no resolutions, no goals, no aspirations, no word. …
We don’t see things as they are. We see them as we are. ~Anais Nin I’m not sure what this says about me, because when I glanced at this sticker in the grocery store, I thought it said “Fairy Traded Bananas.” How whimsical, I smiled, pausing to picture tiny fairy farmers bringing their produce to …
Your belief does not make Truth true Truth is ever true and can be nothing else All else is false And cannot be made true by thought So believe or do not believe It does not matter Truth shines ever radiant Seen clearly by the soul Unencumbered by mind’s need to know I’ve been thinking about the nature of belief lately, which is …
Just a simple little key, right? A little house key that got lost when I went for a walk. When I got back home, the key was not in my pocket. What happened to it? It probably fell out when I pulled a poop bag out of my pocket to clean up after my dog. …
If you have ever trained a dog, one of the commands you might have taught is “watch.” The idea is for the dog to lock eyes on you, without being distracted by anything else, and wait for your next instruction. Over and over again, the universe teaches me this lesson. Something will happen and I …
The world is divided into people who think they are right. ~Tara Brach It took me a few seconds to understand that there was no more to this sentence. Each side of the divide claims the higher ground of being right, being righteous, being morally superior, being more ethical, being smarter, being better. …
This is a beautiful chapter that acknowledges how elusive something so simple can be.My words are very easy to knowVery easy to put into practiceYet under heaven no one is able to know themNo one can put them into practiceWhen people ask me to explain Tao to them, or ask me what they need to …
If it weren’t for my mind, my meditation would be excellent. ~Pema Chodron You’ve heard me frequently emphasize and encourage practice. I’ve talked about the “razor’s edge” of practice, that place where we are challenged to release, expand, embrace, accept, forgive. The place where we meet fear on the battlefield and bow in respect. The …
I’m reading a book titled “What is Mysticism” by Jon Mundy. Yesterday I read this passage: Mostly, it’s a profound inner knowing and an awareness of the interconnectedness of all things – a sense that everything is perfect just the way it is. When I read it, I got chills because I was blessed to …
A few weeks ago, I started practicing taiji (tai chi) at a different martial arts school. I’m not new to taiji, but I’m new to this school, so I am sort of a beginner and not a beginner at the same time. Some things are familiar to me, but every school, and even every teacher, …
One who knows does not speakOne who speaks does not know Upon reading these opening lines, our first instinct might be to be quiet, to show that, or at least hope that, we are among those who know. But then, after a while, we want to talk about it, either to share what we think …
Someone asked recently whether we would grow spiritually without struggle. Good question. The Tao Te Ching describes a life in harmony with Tao as effortless, without conflict or strife. In martial arts, we train with the slogan “Don’t insist. Don’t resist.” We know that trying to force something or someone might work sometimes but there …
You are the author of your own life story. ~Unknown Someone asked me if I write fiction. No, I replied, and thought to myself, I don’t write fiction. I live it. We all do. We tell ourselves stories and then believe them. Our emotions are rooted in the narrative. We react and make choices, live …
Start with “I don’t know.” Why not just start with where you’ll end up anyway? ~Adyashanti I was never a legit Trekkie but I did enjoy and was inspired by two of the series – Next Generation, and Voyager. Each series had a crew member characterized by intellectual and logical prowess – Data, the android …
The Tao Te Ching has been a source of inspiration in my life for many years. I don’t remember how I first encountered it in my young life, but I do remember that its simple wisdom resonated in my soul and I have loved it ever since. Several years ago, I gathered various translations with …
These apparently contradictory statements are at the heart of spiritual awakening, representing the two practices of release and acceptance. “Neti, neti” is a Sanskrit expression from ancient Hindu texts. It can be translated as “Not that, not that.” It reminds me to not grasp onto my beliefs and opinions, my judgments and fears. “This too, …
You can’t organize truth. That’s like trying to shape a pound of water in wrapping paper. ~Bruce Lee I was having a discussion with a friend about a particular theological concept, one that has defied any sort of sensible explanation for centuries. We had read various scholars’ analyses; we had listened to podcasts interviewing well …
