Joan: I’m digging through my bookshelves now. Taking a break from social media has opened-up some time and space for me. I didn’t realize how much of my life had been given over to “doom scrolling.” ❤️
Thanks so much Joan for this link through to Marcus Fellows site, otherwise I would not have known about this, and it is quite a wonderful read so far. DB's influence shines through. You, along with DB, Alan Watts and UG Krishnamurti are the only links on his site - you are in good company there. I find this expression about Life happening by itself so incredibly beautiful. Thanks again:
Swami Satchidananda told the story of the dog covered in lies (lice) itching all the time. He was thirsty and approached the lake to drink. As he stepped in he noticed the lies moved up his legs and the further he went in the lies moved up his body. He had an idea, if go find a stick, that might make the lies travel to the stick. When he got back in the water the lies traveled up to his neck, to his head, down his nose, and onto the stick. The dog took one deep kumbahka breath, went under the water, released the stick, and the lies were all gone. So, pick up the stick, use it, then drop it to be free of all the lies.
Thx once again Joan! Always seem to find little golden nuggets in your writings 🙂...paraphrasing..All Is the movement of Life at the moment..IT cannot be otherwise❣️
I so appreciate this reminder of my abiding access to "the peace that depends on nothing." The extreme emotions that have arisen in me, wave-like, these past 9 days I do not recall experiencing since adolescence. (They have given my older-adult perspective on myself a vigorous and clearly needed shaking!) Your post this morning affirms that allowing myself to become *energetically bigger* than the most intense of feelings, to give those sheep far larger meadows, offers me the best refuge available to me right now. It reminds me of Toni's Seven Day retreat at St. Dorothy's (back in the early 90's) when, on the last day, my breathing felt effortlessly, spontaneously expanded out to the farthest stars. Thank you for helping me regain what I feared I had lost.
Found myself looking at my bookshelves yesterday while home, recuperating from hernia surgery, wondering why I hang onto them all. I've grown past so many, but they record my journey! We inherited more than 200 books (Catholic mystical studies) from my MIL who passed in 2016. Wife won't let them go yet, but hasn't read a single one. I haven't read a complete book in 5 years, ever since realizing that the answers to my questions lie within! (Also 76 years old!)
Yes reading spiritual books can be an escape. Though sometimes experiencing directly can be too difficult. Like the mind has a centrifugal force that rejects, pushes out for distraction when it gets too close to quietude. Reading can perhaps help relax this, convince the mind that silence is good for it.
You caught me! I even write about accepting what is and then don't do it...and then don't accept that. I am a fuckup; can I just accept that! Thanks Joan. Love, Tom ❤️
Joan: I’m digging through my bookshelves now. Taking a break from social media has opened-up some time and space for me. I didn’t realize how much of my life had been given over to “doom scrolling.” ❤️
Thanks so much Joan for this link through to Marcus Fellows site, otherwise I would not have known about this, and it is quite a wonderful read so far. DB's influence shines through. You, along with DB, Alan Watts and UG Krishnamurti are the only links on his site - you are in good company there. I find this expression about Life happening by itself so incredibly beautiful. Thanks again:
https://www.marcusfellowes.com/post/it-happens-by-itself
As always, thank you Joan!
Swami Satchidananda told the story of the dog covered in lies (lice) itching all the time. He was thirsty and approached the lake to drink. As he stepped in he noticed the lies moved up his legs and the further he went in the lies moved up his body. He had an idea, if go find a stick, that might make the lies travel to the stick. When he got back in the water the lies traveled up to his neck, to his head, down his nose, and onto the stick. The dog took one deep kumbahka breath, went under the water, released the stick, and the lies were all gone. So, pick up the stick, use it, then drop it to be free of all the lies.
Thx once again Joan! Always seem to find little golden nuggets in your writings 🙂...paraphrasing..All Is the movement of Life at the moment..IT cannot be otherwise❣️
Thank you Joan for this text, and thank you for putting us in contact with Mark Fellowes. I really am enjoying it. Yes, all is well...
"endlessly reading the menu instead of daring to actually eat the meal'
Was just sitting with this question this morning.
Thanks as always Joan, for all that you are and offer !
reminds me of googling the restaurant to look at the menu before even going there. In the past it was not possible and a lot more fun. 🤣
I so appreciate this reminder of my abiding access to "the peace that depends on nothing." The extreme emotions that have arisen in me, wave-like, these past 9 days I do not recall experiencing since adolescence. (They have given my older-adult perspective on myself a vigorous and clearly needed shaking!) Your post this morning affirms that allowing myself to become *energetically bigger* than the most intense of feelings, to give those sheep far larger meadows, offers me the best refuge available to me right now. It reminds me of Toni's Seven Day retreat at St. Dorothy's (back in the early 90's) when, on the last day, my breathing felt effortlessly, spontaneously expanded out to the farthest stars. Thank you for helping me regain what I feared I had lost.
Found myself looking at my bookshelves yesterday while home, recuperating from hernia surgery, wondering why I hang onto them all. I've grown past so many, but they record my journey! We inherited more than 200 books (Catholic mystical studies) from my MIL who passed in 2016. Wife won't let them go yet, but hasn't read a single one. I haven't read a complete book in 5 years, ever since realizing that the answers to my questions lie within! (Also 76 years old!)
Thanks Joan 💕
Yes reading spiritual books can be an escape. Though sometimes experiencing directly can be too difficult. Like the mind has a centrifugal force that rejects, pushes out for distraction when it gets too close to quietude. Reading can perhaps help relax this, convince the mind that silence is good for it.
❤️🙏 Thank you Joan.
You caught me! I even write about accepting what is and then don't do it...and then don't accept that. I am a fuckup; can I just accept that! Thanks Joan. Love, Tom ❤️
Helpful comments… thanks Joan