From my teens until I got sober at 45, no mantra defined my life more than “Nothing is too intense for me.” Ironically, it still does, though the meaning under it has changed quite a bit in 30 years, thank goodness. Back then it was a boast, an immature attempt to manage tremendous pain. What […]
Begging God to Prove Me Wrong Read More »
It would seem that, quite possibly, the ultimate measure of health in any community might well reside in our ability to stand in awe at what folks have to carry rather than in judgment of how they carry it. Greg Boyle, Jesuit priest, founder of Homeboy Industries When I consider my life from this
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Swami Rama is a kindred soul for those of us on the spiritual joyride. In one of his books, “Living With the Himalayan Masters,” he tells the story of a swami of his acquaintance. The swami’s disciples felt he was very ill, so much so that death might very well be imminent. They asked Swami
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It sounds funny, but among the keys to true happiness is despair. By despair I mean experiencing deeply the pain of choices we make that are harmful to ourselves and others. Choices of belief. Choices of rationalization. Choices of denial. Choices of judgment. Any choice of us and them. When we touch the core disharmony
Despair Helps Us Remember Read More »
“To thine own self be true.” Now that’s useful advice, even if it is impossible to follow. At least it’s impossible for me, because I don’t know who my “own self” is. Fortunately, my lack of understanding doesn’t get in the way of a rewarding life. I can tell you all sorts of things
Just Who is “Thine Own Self”? Read More »
It is said that every death awakens us to all the other deaths we have experienced, and in doing so encourages us to assess ever more deeply our commitment to our self. Not just who will we be or die trying, but also how’s it going? I find that to be the case, and in
Deaths Are So Precious Read More »
On Facebook, in response to the story of one more inhumane acton by some soulless politician, a Facebook friend posted a single word: “ENOUGH!” What do you suppose my friend really meant? What was the message? I think she was saying: “In this moment, I’m not able to free the magnitude of pain I feel.
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Do you ever think that every event in your life is designed to help you live your life purpose, the core reason you’re alive? Maybe it’s like hide and seek. The universe embeds deep meaning in everything––licorice popcorn; the Serenity Prayer; or something really wacky: discovering that the stranger we met on a train can