Occupying the Self: Personal Reformation
The change from one identity to another is a long, slow march. Even though, on November 30, 2010, I ended my old ‘life’ and the very next day began a new one, I once again had to ask and answer…
Perspective: Abundance and Scarcity
Everywhere we see signs of abundance (plenty) — homes, gardens, beauty, health, wealth and laughter. And everywhere we see signs of scarcity — homelessness, pollution, violence, poverty, greed and depression. I would go so far as to say both exist…
Life Purpose: Inspiration not Impulse
Every person is sent to this outpost called earth to work on a project that is intended to keep the cosmic order healthy. African Elder Malidoma Some Image courtesy of sattva / FreeDigitalPhotos.net Our life purpose — the creative contribution…
Pain or Suffering — Which Do You Choose?
Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional. Buddhist proverb This profound aphorism teaches us that pain is what life’s events inflict on us, while suffering is what we inflict on ourselves, that is, our emotional reactions to those events. The implication…
Life Choices: Courage, Confidence and Commitment
Blades of the finest swords are repeatedly heated and cooled to increase hardness and elasticity. This tempering process for metal is similar to our own personal growth and development. Being presented with choices — exploration or safety, trust or fear,…
A Time for Sharing
When the fruit is ripe, it drops from the tree by itself. . . . [I]t falls—not because it has been forced to fall, or has made the effort to jump, but because the tree has recognized its ripeness and…
Wide Awake or Asleep? It’s Your Choice
Today, I am grateful to say ping-ponging between sadness and elation is a thing of the past. This doesn’t mean I no longer feel sadness nor joy—rather I don’t slide from one extreme to the other nor do I need…
Transformation’s Hurdles: Judgment, Depression and Fear
“I think there are good reasons for suggesting that the modern age has ended. Today, many things indicate that we are going through a transitional period, when it seems that something is on the way out and something else is…
Creative Collaboration: Feeding the Soul
Every week, I gather together a circle of meditators and writers for the purposes of personal transformation and creative expression. Each person chooses an inspirational image (something that speaks to them). We then meditate to connect to our creative voice,…
Trust: Who or What?
First comes inspiration, a vision of possibility, then follows action. I have been married to this practice since I dreamt about it in 1998—inspiration » internalization » integration—the transformation process. Of course, inspiration seems easiest and most enjoyable. Living through…
New Directions Always Come with Stepping Stones
In December 2010, I chose new directions with the launch of a new website and a new way of being in the world. With the appearance of these just-in-time stepping stones, I began the journey of tasting each step along…
Time Passages — The Still Points Between
Hear the echoes and feel yourself starting to turn Don’t know why you should feel That there’s something to learn These lines from Al Stewart’s 1978 platinum song and album, Time Passages, remind me to be patient during those in-between…