For me continuing learning and living a life of stewardship of many things that are important to me like faith, the environment and nurturing close relationships 💕
Actually,
when I am right with myself,
I don’t need to understand anything more deeply . . .
I already know.
Unexpectedly
and almost intuitively,
I discovered
that everything I need to know
is within me already
even if I cannot immediately access it..
It is within every stone upon the earth,
the wing of every bird,
in the eye of every fox that walks among the grasses.
I am no longer tortured
by wondering the if’s and’s and why’s of my existence.
I am . . .
just like the rose and the daisy are,
and they don’t wonder.
I’m realizing
that gnashing my teeth over mental knowledge
and scientific findings
can be reassuring and entertaining,
but the real Truth
is deeper than all of that.
I’m keeping my library of books . . .
my Viktor Frankle,
Eckhart Tolle,
Meister Eckhart,
Charlotte Yoko Beck,
Ram Dass,
Steven Levine,
Rollo May
and all the rest of them.
If I see a book that invites me to look deeply
I might buy it . . .
they all plant eeds,
just in different voices.
It is by watching Nature do her work
that my lessons open up
and become a part of me.
I used to search and seek,
search and seek,
asking the unanswerable questions,
but not anymore,
because I know they are buried inside of me
somewhere.
The books help to stir me up
and flay away some of the surface skin,
but Being
alone and quiet in Nature
invites the Song without Words
to enter and fill my heart.
And then I am satisfied. ♥
I continue to feel inspired to understand on a deeper level the issue of what to plant (particularly, grapevine cultivars) when and where given a warming climate.
Several things. It may not be inspiration as much as it is an intense desire to know more. The absolute first one for me is what happens when we die. I know, I know, live the questions. But I would really like to know the answer.
I would also like to understand how we can use our bodies and mind to heal ourselves. I think the placebo effect is really the amazing ability of our bodies to heal ourselves. I am amazed at how people poo poo this ability and say it’s not real when a person in an experiment is healing, but it turns out that person was not getting the medicine. We don’t know how to use our ability to heal ourselves, but I believe it is there and would like to learn more about it.
“The Body Keeps the Score” by Bessel van der Kolk was enormously useful to me. It taught me that the body stores memories and sensations, and I’ve ben gravitating towards healing my body as a way to heal my whole self ever since. It works! Like I’m not 100% on the other side of this, but definitely 70%+, through paying attention to my body first and respecting what it has to tell me (through yoga and various other modalities).
I believe in the power to heal ourselves, too. The mind is powerful and there are really powerful practices that can be utilized to help us heal. Louise Hay healed herself, and I bet there are many out there just like her.
How to work more effectively with other people for change. I recently took the Essential Capacities program through the Context Institute, which I’ve mentioned before. It’s aimed at building skills for win-win-win work: win for me, win for the group, win for the planet in what we’re seeking to shift. The first portion of the program focused on self-awareness of things like what you’re currently feeling and how that affects your response to someone else or a situation. Then it moved into group psychodynamics. In many ways it’s grounded in mindfulness, or mindful awareness, and felt like a good fit both for learning and with my values and priorities.
I’m continuing in a triad with others in the program to practice and reinforce the key concepts. As with coming to this space every morning, making something part of my practice will eventually make it part of me.
The butterfly affect is something that inspires me to understand on a deeper level. 1 small change in a decision can have a massive affect on an outcome. For example, if the adults played it safely back in 2020 during the George Floyd protest in MN, I certainly wouldn’t be typing up this answer. Ngoc introduced me to this site. Adults playing it safely means that there’s a good chance that I’d be single today, and if I’m single, no way I’d be here.
My Ngoc, the inner world is real. One can look just fine on the surface but a ticking timebomb inside. That’s the worst place to be. It’s being stuck between a rock and a hard place. Inner conflicts is the last thing we need.
Music, specifically how different chords and tones resonate with different emotions. Also, harmonies, especially the alto role in a voice harmony–sometimes hard to decipher, sometimes dissonant, but essential. Music has a whole world in it.
Have you ever gone to a sound bath? There are apparently different tones that effect specific energy centers in our bodies. It’s been a while since I’ve gone to one, but I always feel lighter at the end.
Our son-in-law is a musician. I have only known a couple others. I feel musicians have a whole other world ( I think the universe) that only they are attuned to, so the sound can come forth for others to enjoy and marvel.
As an alto (and not much of a singer) I love this answer. There’s a woman locally who teaches True Voice techniques for singing or simply using one’s voice. I can’t add that to my schedule right now and hope to in future to develop my confidence in singing for pleasure.
Barb, that’s exactly where I’m at–developing my confidence in singing for pleasure. I love how much support is out here in the city, it’s astonishing and very fulfilling.
Don’t you think,
dear Drea,
that there is a whole Universe in Music?
Think of it . . .
not only aural,
but visual
and visceral as well.
Music is connection to the soul.
Thank you for reflecting on this . . . ♥
The Divine in me
bows to the Divine in you.
Yes, Sparrow, a universe is right. It astonishes me that the more I develop my ear for music, the more I hear. I think there is an analogy to listening to one’s intuition and soul–the ear to hear can be developed.
Myself. Self with a big S. The Atman. It is incredible how, as I continue to dive deeper, so much is revealed, offering a greater understanding of why my life has been the way it has and what I can do to clear the rocks from my path. Everything that has been revealed inspires me to keep doing the work. I am grateful for the tools that help on this journey.
I think my response is essentially the same as Mary’s. I hope to be a peacemaker too, promoting healing and right relationships between people, with love and truth.
Too often I default to playing peacekeeper, just sidesteping and covering up conflicts and divisions. It seems to have the opposite result. Instead of healing, the wounds fester and relationships break.
I started reading about Restorative Justice, and am hopeful that a better understanding of that concept will help me be a better peacemaker.
I am trying to know the True Self. In this process, I must know my own body and mind. Through Yoga practices (not merely stretching), I am uncovering the layers that obscure the True Self. I am learning, letting go, and moving inward to the spaces of Highest Knowledge. I find that the more I practice going inward, the more intuitive I am about the outside. It’s satisfying.
The human mind, lol. I’m late in the game and am now starting to watch the Netflix series Shameless. It’s 11 seasons long – I just finished S1:E4 and all I can think is, when will we find out what happened with the mother? How a mother leaves 6 kids??? (let alone kill them with the other news/Clancy trial)
Yes, the mind/relationships will ALWAYS need understanding.
Give yourself the gift of free bi-monthly inspiration including uplifting articles, diverse stories, supportive practices, videos, and more, delivered with heart to your inbox.
For me continuing learning and living a life of stewardship of many things that are important to me like faith, the environment and nurturing close relationships 💕
Actually,
when I am right with myself,
I don’t need to understand anything more deeply . . .
I already know.
Unexpectedly
and almost intuitively,
I discovered
that everything I need to know
is within me already
even if I cannot immediately access it..
It is within every stone upon the earth,
the wing of every bird,
in the eye of every fox that walks among the grasses.
I am no longer tortured
by wondering the if’s and’s and why’s of my existence.
I am . . .
just like the rose and the daisy are,
and they don’t wonder.
I’m realizing
that gnashing my teeth over mental knowledge
and scientific findings
can be reassuring and entertaining,
but the real Truth
is deeper than all of that.
I’m keeping my library of books . . .
my Viktor Frankle,
Eckhart Tolle,
Meister Eckhart,
Charlotte Yoko Beck,
Ram Dass,
Steven Levine,
Rollo May
and all the rest of them.
If I see a book that invites me to look deeply
I might buy it . . .
they all plant eeds,
just in different voices.
It is by watching Nature do her work
that my lessons open up
and become a part of me.
I used to search and seek,
search and seek,
asking the unanswerable questions,
but not anymore,
because I know they are buried inside of me
somewhere.
The books help to stir me up
and flay away some of the surface skin,
but Being
alone and quiet in Nature
invites the Song without Words
to enter and fill my heart.
And then I am satisfied. ♥
Beautiful! Thank you for this, Sparrow. 🩵
🙏
Everything we’re searching for is already inside of us ✨
Hand over heart,
dear SunnyPatti . . . ♥
🙏☀️💦🌱
I continue to feel inspired to understand on a deeper level the issue of what to plant (particularly, grapevine cultivars) when and where given a warming climate.
Several things. It may not be inspiration as much as it is an intense desire to know more. The absolute first one for me is what happens when we die. I know, I know, live the questions. But I would really like to know the answer.
I would also like to understand how we can use our bodies and mind to heal ourselves. I think the placebo effect is really the amazing ability of our bodies to heal ourselves. I am amazed at how people poo poo this ability and say it’s not real when a person in an experiment is healing, but it turns out that person was not getting the medicine. We don’t know how to use our ability to heal ourselves, but I believe it is there and would like to learn more about it.
“The Body Keeps the Score” by Bessel van der Kolk was enormously useful to me. It taught me that the body stores memories and sensations, and I’ve ben gravitating towards healing my body as a way to heal my whole self ever since. It works! Like I’m not 100% on the other side of this, but definitely 70%+, through paying attention to my body first and respecting what it has to tell me (through yoga and various other modalities).
Thanks for the recommendation, Drea! I will look into this right away. I think sound and especially music can be powerful in healing too. 🩵
I find NDE’s fascinating.
Yes, I agree, Michele!
I believe in the power to heal ourselves, too. The mind is powerful and there are really powerful practices that can be utilized to help us heal. Louise Hay healed herself, and I bet there are many out there just like her.
I once heard, and have pondered this statement much, Mary. I paraphrase Alan Watts, this was rolled in a talk about consciousness, :
Do you remember what it was like before you were born? Perhaps, that is what it will be like when you die.
I believe,
dear Mary,
that that is a possibility too. ♥
How to work more effectively with other people for change. I recently took the Essential Capacities program through the Context Institute, which I’ve mentioned before. It’s aimed at building skills for win-win-win work: win for me, win for the group, win for the planet in what we’re seeking to shift. The first portion of the program focused on self-awareness of things like what you’re currently feeling and how that affects your response to someone else or a situation. Then it moved into group psychodynamics. In many ways it’s grounded in mindfulness, or mindful awareness, and felt like a good fit both for learning and with my values and priorities.
I’m continuing in a triad with others in the program to practice and reinforce the key concepts. As with coming to this space every morning, making something part of my practice will eventually make it part of me.
The course sounds very interesting, Barb.
My adult daughter’s behavior and what I can do to help her;
Loving kindness to you and your daughter.
I feel the same way about my sister, Carol Ann.
I KNOW I CAN’T FIX MY DAUGHTER BUT I CAN SEND HER LOVING ENERGY EACH AND EVERY DAY.
Yes you can,
dear Carol Ann,
and that’s not nothing. ♥
The butterfly affect is something that inspires me to understand on a deeper level. 1 small change in a decision can have a massive affect on an outcome. For example, if the adults played it safely back in 2020 during the George Floyd protest in MN, I certainly wouldn’t be typing up this answer. Ngoc introduced me to this site. Adults playing it safely means that there’s a good chance that I’d be single today, and if I’m single, no way I’d be here.
I am glad she did Loc Tran.
I’m inspired to understand how and why we are the way we are. What makes us tick. And how we relate to others and why.
Charlie, it’s something I’ve looked into a lot when gathering the right people and resources for what I need at various moments.
I’m curious to gain a better understanding of emotional regulation skills because it’s helpful for me as well as in supporting my clients.
My Ngoc, the inner world is real. One can look just fine on the surface but a ticking timebomb inside. That’s the worst place to be. It’s being stuck between a rock and a hard place. Inner conflicts is the last thing we need.
Music, specifically how different chords and tones resonate with different emotions. Also, harmonies, especially the alto role in a voice harmony–sometimes hard to decipher, sometimes dissonant, but essential. Music has a whole world in it.
Have you ever gone to a sound bath? There are apparently different tones that effect specific energy centers in our bodies. It’s been a while since I’ve gone to one, but I always feel lighter at the end.
It’s been a long time since I’ve been to a sound bath too. I’d like to revisit .
I agree – music has a profound effect on our emotions. Grateful for musicians.
I’m grateful for musicians, and the ones that teach music, as well.
Our son-in-law is a musician. I have only known a couple others. I feel musicians have a whole other world ( I think the universe) that only they are attuned to, so the sound can come forth for others to enjoy and marvel.
Musicians are a type of mystic, I feel. Wonderful that you can listen to your son-in-law make music.
I feel that way too,
dear Joseph . . .
we are each given our doors to the Divine,
and music is one
for those who make it. ♥
I agree with you that music is so amazing, Drea. It’s very powerful.
It is very powerful, Mary. I love taking time to really listen.
As an alto (and not much of a singer) I love this answer. There’s a woman locally who teaches True Voice techniques for singing or simply using one’s voice. I can’t add that to my schedule right now and hope to in future to develop my confidence in singing for pleasure.
Barb, that’s exactly where I’m at–developing my confidence in singing for pleasure. I love how much support is out here in the city, it’s astonishing and very fulfilling.
Don’t you think,
dear Drea,
that there is a whole Universe in Music?
Think of it . . .
not only aural,
but visual
and visceral as well.
Music is connection to the soul.
Thank you for reflecting on this . . . ♥
The Divine in me
bows to the Divine in you.
Yes, Sparrow, a universe is right. It astonishes me that the more I develop my ear for music, the more I hear. I think there is an analogy to listening to one’s intuition and soul–the ear to hear can be developed.
Of course life, but more specifically the human mind. How we differentiate from so many other organisms.
Being aware that we are aware, the most human thing of all.
Myself. Self with a big S. The Atman. It is incredible how, as I continue to dive deeper, so much is revealed, offering a greater understanding of why my life has been the way it has and what I can do to clear the rocks from my path. Everything that has been revealed inspires me to keep doing the work. I am grateful for the tools that help on this journey.
What it means to be a neutral peacemaker in these politically charged times when the opportunity arises.
I feel the same way!!
I think my response is essentially the same as Mary’s. I hope to be a peacemaker too, promoting healing and right relationships between people, with love and truth.
Too often I default to playing peacekeeper, just sidesteping and covering up conflicts and divisions. It seems to have the opposite result. Instead of healing, the wounds fester and relationships break.
I started reading about Restorative Justice, and am hopeful that a better understanding of that concept will help me be a better peacemaker.
I am trying to know the True Self. In this process, I must know my own body and mind. Through Yoga practices (not merely stretching), I am uncovering the layers that obscure the True Self. I am learning, letting go, and moving inward to the spaces of Highest Knowledge. I find that the more I practice going inward, the more intuitive I am about the outside. It’s satisfying.
The human mind, lol. I’m late in the game and am now starting to watch the Netflix series Shameless. It’s 11 seasons long – I just finished S1:E4 and all I can think is, when will we find out what happened with the mother? How a mother leaves 6 kids??? (let alone kill them with the other news/Clancy trial)
Yes, the mind/relationships will ALWAYS need understanding.
I will have to check it out. The Clancy ordeal is so disturbing!
We love that show! It is CRAZY!