December 2010
12 posts
But for the Grace of God there go I
It seems to be much easier to look around and notice what I think is wrong. The shortcomings that I am so willing to point out because I think I know how circumstances should be seem to be so apparent. Today it is with gratitude that I reflect upon the what it was like part of my story. I was stuck in a bitter morass of self pity with seemingly nowhere to go. The solution to this misery was...
“Word Origin & History
grace
late 12c., “God’s favor or...”
Attachment and Suffering
The concept of attachment and suffering has been acutely present in my life. It is through experiencing emotional pain, loss, and ultimately acceptance I have begun to regain a sense of peace and ease. Acceptance is remarkably similar in principle and effect to letting go of attachment. I find when I let go of attachment to a specific person, place, thing, situation, or outcome I then become...
Reliance and Trust
It is so easy to rely on the Spirit of the Universe and trust the process when things are going well, easy, or as I think they should. It is a true test of my ability to practice the principles in all of my affairs when life does not go in a pleasant manner or events do not transpire as I think they should. I can pause, relax, and take it easy in the moments of distress because it is here that I...
“Look to this day,
For it is life,
The very life of life.
In its brief course...”
– Sanskrit proverb
by Kalidasa,
Indian poet and playwright,
Fifth century A.D.
Self Pity
Being stuck in self pity makes it easy to view the world as a negative place. It is so easy to look around and notice what it wrong and reinforce a negative view. When I am stuck in Self Pity gratitude feels out of reach and I can find no peace until I take some action that is based outside of myself. Wallowing in the bitter morass of self pity leads to further disconnection from self, others,...
Balance
Life is never an all or nothing proposition, yet, often I find myself at one extreme or the other. The idea of middle ground for anything is foreign and at the same time when I am not at one extreme end of the spectrum or the other life has a peaceful sense of ease and flow. This peace and ease has yet to be long lasting and typically gets over shadowed by some person, place, thing, or situation...
Life is in the Moments
If I allow my happiness to be contingent upon the ups and downs of life it becomes an illusion that, much like an addictive drug, is chased but never caught. Life is in the moments and I have the opportunity to re commit to life with each breath. When I find that I am in the future or past coming back to the moment can be as simple (not easy) as following my breath. When I am disturbed,...