I am often amazed by the wisdom dispensed by some of my Facebook friends. Esther Joyce Coulter Main is a case in point.
In a post entitled "Thoughts For The Day From Sacred Medicine", she suggests: "When we open ourselves to the possibility that the quest for permanence in a constantly changing world is futile, something shifts within us." We see our former end goal of “happily ever after” for what it truly is -- a shimmering mirage on the horizon that is always just outside our grasp.
"Once the cosmic jig is up, our lives become less about establishing and defending and more about allowing, flowing, and sensing. Like a tango dancer on a moonlit terrace in Buenos Aires, we learn to love the changes, keeping our minds clear so that we can react in the blink of an eye to any dip or surge in tempo," Ester continues.
"Once the cosmic jig is up, our lives become less about establishing and defending and more about allowing, flowing, and sensing. Like a tango dancer on a moonlit terrace in Buenos Aires, we learn to love the changes, keeping our minds clear so that we can react in the blink of an eye to any dip or surge in tempo," Ester continues.
"Change is guaranteed. Surrendering to this fact is an essential part of the path. By doing so, we arise from the ashes of who we once were, stronger of heart and able to hold space with compassion in any situation.
"When we’re experiencing pain, the suffering can be heightened by the fear that the pain will never stop. When we’re experiencing pleasure, the pleasure can be thwarted by the sad truth that nothing lasts forever.
"The wise know not to grab or shun either of these, but instead learn to nurture space between their spirit and anything the world outside brings to their doorstep. By not pulling toward or pushing away, we are able to give full presence to every change that happens in our life -- the good, the bad, and the ugly."
NOTE: I am connected with Esther through the Essex County Branch of the Ontario Historical Society and a mutual interest in genealogy.
Quite by coincidence, I came across the little saying below yesterday and felt called to share it along with Esther's thought-provoking sentiments.
“Your mind is a garden, your thoughts are the seeds, the harvest can either be flowers or weeds.”"When we’re experiencing pain, the suffering can be heightened by the fear that the pain will never stop. When we’re experiencing pleasure, the pleasure can be thwarted by the sad truth that nothing lasts forever.
"The wise know not to grab or shun either of these, but instead learn to nurture space between their spirit and anything the world outside brings to their doorstep. By not pulling toward or pushing away, we are able to give full presence to every change that happens in our life -- the good, the bad, and the ugly."
NOTE: I am connected with Esther through the Essex County Branch of the Ontario Historical Society and a mutual interest in genealogy.
Quite by coincidence, I came across the little saying below yesterday and felt called to share it along with Esther's thought-provoking sentiments.
Our thoughts often pass behind our eyelids without much investigation into their origin, as though these assemblages of information are out of our control – a simple reaction to something we just witnessed.
But are they really so untamable?
In Eastern religions, particularly Tibetan Buddhism, there is a notion of cultivating spaciousness or breathing room between our inner world and any events that are transpiring around us. It takes a little practice, but if we learn to hold space for whatever the “outer us” is experiencing, we can begin to examine the thoughts, beliefs and patterns that are running through our minds.
Will this thought help me evolve and thrive or will it hinder me?
If it passes this simple litmus test, we nourish it. If it is toxic or doesn’t serve our highest ideals, we know it’s time to set up spiritual shop and trace it down to its roots for further exploration and healing work.
“Spiritual life is a lot like gardening. We till and cultivate the garden of our heart, planting seeds of presence, openness and the ability to respect whatever arises. We water each one so the things which are beautiful in us can blossom.” – Jack Kornfield
Master gardeners and small farmers never stop minding their soil, even in times of abundance when the plants are flourishing. In order to create a healthy ecosystem, they must be aware of the natural rhythms and character of their particular plot.
If everything is roses in your life right now it doesn’t mean your inner gardening is done. On the other hand, if you’re going through a rough patch today don’t think it’s too late to start planting new seeds.
We humans tend to get spiritual in a hurry when big life challenges arise, but when the rain clouds part, we forget to continue our higher practises. What we often forget is that the deep work we did in the hard times is what sprouted the happy times we’re now enjoying.
I fully understand that the foregoing is a lot to absorb in one swell swoop and I recommend re-reading the offerings and spending some time considering each individual thought, as I have done in presenting them. The process can be extremely grounding...and enlightening.
No comments:
Post a Comment