Journey, Not A Destination

Nothing is taken from you
without something better
replacing it.

Sanders G. Laurie
Melvin J. Tucker
CENTERING

It seems that many people are going through a transition right now whether physical, mental or spiritual.  In order to embrace the forthcoming change, we need to make room.  This means getting rid of the old in preparation for the new.   We have behaviors, thoughts, and beliefs that have seized to sustain us.  Perhaps we harbor grudges or criticisms from earlier on taking up space and weighing us down.

If we have a glass of spoiled milk, we do not pour fresh milk into the soured milk.  We throw away the old milk, clean the glass, and pour fresh milk into the glass.  The same is true with our selves.  When we release, we are letting go of things no longer serving us.  When we detach from negative emotion or dependence on  material things, we in a sense cleanse our selves so we can welcome new insight or abundance. 

Results are not always immediate.  The timing is not our own, so it may take awhile for us to notice that a shift has been made.  In hindsight, we see more clearly how things slid into place.  There are times, however, if we are alert, we can experience an 'ah-ha' moment when inspiration, insight, and wisdom overwhelm us all at once.

Measuring progress is a difficult task.  It is best to not be attached to the outcome, but to enjoy the process as it unfolds.    If we daily pay attention, we will realize how goodness arrives in very subtle ways.   In the words of Steven Tyler, "Life is a journey, not a destination."

An Answer Dressed in Unexpected Attire

We live in a very tense society. 

We are pulled apart...

and we all need to learn how to pull ourselves together....

I think that at least part of the answer lies in solitude. 

~Helen Hayes

Spirit is always trying to connect with us to offer guidance and support.  Divine Wisdom can come to us in many forms: praying, reading, singing, meditating, artistic expression, or simply listening in silence.

There are times when we are in need of solution, and unfortunately our expectations take the form of rigidity.

We are waiting for an exact response affirming what we seek.  It simply doesn't work that way. 

We sometimes say, "I never received an answer," when the truth is we received an answer we did not want to hear or we asked then neglected to listen.  I believe it is Garth Brooks who said, "Some of the best gifts have been unanswered prayers." 

Through hindsight, we all can recall a time we prayed so hard for something or wished upon a star ... every night ... never receiving the anticipated response.  In time, we realized that had prayer been affirmed, we would have missed out on something much more meaningful than our original request.

So how do we know the answer to our questions?  Spend some time in solitude, even if it is only a small segment of our day.  Do not be so rigid in our expectations that we entirely miss an answer dressed in unexpected attire.

What is that old joke about the drowning man.  A life guard tries to save him, but the man sends him away shouting, "I am a Christian and God will save me!"  Then a boat comes by with the captain offering a life jacket, but again the drowning man, going under for the second time, sends the boat away, certain that God will save him.  Lastly, a helicopter drops a rope pleading with the man to grasp for safety.  As the man goes under the water for the third and last time, he drowns.  He awakens to find himself at the pearly gates facing St. Peter demanding to know why God did not save him as he was a faithful Christian man.  St. Peter responded, "God sent you help three times!"

When we find our selves drowning in our own issues, desperately in need of rescue, pay close attention to the unexpected opportunities presenting themselves.  We can collect a variety of ideas and open our heart as we sit in solitude fitting the unlikely pieces together.   

Sauntering Through the Woods

I think that I cannot preserve my health and spirits, unless I spend four hours a day at least - and it is commonly more than that - sauntering through the woods and over the hills and fields, absolutely free from all worldly engagements. 

~Henry David Thoreau

It is a glorious day!  The sun is out, no harsh wind blowing through the trees, and my schedule allows freedom to play.  I take Hannah, a golden retriever near and dear to my heart, for a walk through the woods.  We are both smiling, happy to be outside and away from others.

What is it about being in nature that calms my soul?  When the birds take flight singing their song, my eyes follow them across the sky, feeling as though a part of me is soaring above right along with them. 

As we walk along, I observe Hannah as she lifts her snout up into the air as though she is detecting delicacies fresh from an oven.  Her entire body wags in delight as she almost prances down the path. 

It is the trees who call loudest to me.  They have been stripped of their brilliantly colored leaves and yet they remain standing tall and proud.  Facing a season of brutal winds and freezing temperatures, they remain courageous.

We find ourselves off the beaten path.  I settle onto a bench hidden in the trees while Hannah quickly settles upon the ground, as happy as she can be.  This is where I can relax, breathe in the crisp air and exhale the built up holiday tensions.  I slowly return to being me.

Oh how I need this solitude, to be isolated from those I dearly love,  to have a gentle breeze sweep away the emotional remnants hanging in the hallways of my mind, and to rise spiritually out of this human form.

This is my favorite space in what is called time.  I am limitless, and not restrained by boundaries of any kind.  I am freely connected to bird, tree, and sun as it all becomes a part of me.  Suspended in nothingness, I am filled with all there is to be seen and unseen.  A sacred oneness enters me.

It is here in the woods with life kept at bay, that I have the strongest sense of self.  Surrounded by nature, all becomes holy.  I am content to be me.

Reluctantly, I stand to leave these sacred grounds and Hannah pauses as though she, too,  is saying good-bye.  Together we find our way back to the path, slowly retreating from the woods into the static noise of the world.

Christmas Behavior

Instead of being a time of unusual behavior, Christmas is perhaps the only time in the year when people can obey their natural impulses and express their true sentiments without feeling self-conscious and, perhaps, foolish.  Christmas, in short, is about the only chance a man has to be himself.  ~Francis C. Farley

Our family are the people encouraging us to be fully our selves.  They are the ones who love us unconditionally and treat us with compassion.  We are blessed if these folks are our family of origin, but frequently they are not.  If we are not honored by blood relatives, then we tend to discover others who bring true value into our lives.  It is vitally important to honor the lives of all people, but not at the cost of our selves. 

Compromising our selves in order to fit in with our original families or critical others does serious harm both physically and spiritually.  Give blessings to all people and stand for personal truth allowing others to do the same. 

Integrity can be maintained by extending love to all peoples ... whatever that means to you.  It might mean a phone call extending genuine blessings rather than a visit.  We can abbreviate our visit to build peace even if momentarily.  Altering tradition by volunteering at a shelter or adopting a family can bring greater spiritual meaning into all lives concerned rather than an emotional family free for all.  

It is an illusion if we feel we have no choice.  If we secure in our minds what we want, arrange our holidays accordingly, and give permission for others to do the same, we will find freedom and joy filling our days. Focus on realistic expectations that will allow the holidays to be filled with peace, love, and creative personal expression. 

Coping with Christmas

What is Christmas?  It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future.  It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace. 

~Agnes M. Pahro

Holidays bring families and loved ones together, but old family patterns can release tremendous feelings of sadness and loss.  Revisited memories can stir up insecurities and re-open old wounds.

We can maintain our sense of loving kindness in spite of our emotional triggers.  Be mindful of forgiveness (not condoning inappropriate behavior), extend blessings (all people need blessings more than idle chatter),  bestow respect (this reflects our own nature rather than judgment), and maintain boundaries (regulate the time spent with people who do not encourage our chosen path).

Coping with Christmas becomes easier when we treat our selves as we would treat our friends.  If we find our selves 'out of sorts', then we need to ask, "What would I do for a friend in this situation?"  Then act accordingly.  Be nice to you!

Simplicity, Patience and Compassion

I have just three things to teach:

simplicity, patience, compassion.

These are your greatest treasures.

Compassionate toward yourself,

you reconcile all beings in the world.

Lao-Tzu

Life gets pretty complicated sometimes.  Unresolved issues and uncontrolled emotions spike up the drama in any situation.  If we try to keep things simple, life unfolds not only more naturally, but more meaningful.

Emotions and issues get in the way of our basic love, honor, and respect for each other.  While someone is being rude to us, instead of directing anger towards them, we can extend compassion for we do not know the burdens they are carrying.  We don't need to accept or condone their actions, but if we can mentally extend loving kindness to them, it just might be a turning point in their day. 

Simplicity and compassion requires patience.  We decide to embrace the world as our brothers and sisters, but we will find ourselves immediately tested by the harshness in the world.  At times we can feel like the only spiritual warrior on the playing field.  Maintaining patience, keeping things simple, and extending compassion we will begin to notice a more peaceful nature to our own lives.

"Be the change you want to see," is a beautiful quote and very much to the point.  We must start with ourselves, our own community, and surrounding environment.  When we begin with ourselves, simple, patient, and compassionate, we are role modeling to others.  We can begin a small ripple that just might turn into a wave that could bring cleansing or healing to faces you will never see. 

We are all in this together.  We each play an independent part, but we are all connected.  We can begin together to make this world a peaceful place to be. 

Our Richest Resource

When 'body', 'mind', and 'spirit' are exercised harmoniously, the 'spirit' elevates the body and mind consciousness above the level of the selfish and egotistical and enables us to function as a true 'whole'.  CENTERING, A Guide to Inner Growth.

All people desire a good life and as part of the human experience, we all face challenges.  Our culture depends upon doctors to tend to our bodies, and education to support our minds, but in comparison to other cultures, our spiritual development falters.

Ideally, we travel through life balancing the body, mind, and spirit.   By nurturing our bodies with healthy foods and massage or energy work, by stretching our minds through experiential learning and meditation, and by exploring spiritual beliefs through vision quests or extensive retreats, we develop a natural way to navigate through life without selfish motivation, greed, lust, or ego dominance.

For some of us, there comes a time when we desire to take the leap into nothingness to discover a more personalized rapport with the Divine.  Various opportunities are open to all of us for extending our spiritual experiences, but we must not over look our richest resource...our inner self.

By traveling inward through meditation or communion with nature, loving kindness enhances our self-image and as well as our perception of others.  In embracing others as fellow travelers, we not only support our own spiritual path, but also the roads others choose to travel.   The void within begins to fill and we create the sense of being whole. 

We can draw teachers to us from Omega Institute in New York, Gatherings in Santa Fe, Hidden Retreat Spas all over the country or local seminars,  It is important to remember, however, a true teacher will prepare us to walk on our own path.  Once again, we are led inward, to our true nature.

We need not wait until we have enough money to take the next course or to wait for the perfect opportunity.  We can feed our passion by building a bridge into our own center where we will, at last, be at home.