Only when "remembering everything I think I know" is happening (including the bottomline story of "me" and "everything else"), rather than forgetting everything. And luckily, "you" don't have to handle it! It simply IS.
My mother spent the last decade of her life in the memory care wing of a nursing home. If there’s any grace in dementia, perhaps it’s that forgetting becomes its own kind of spiritual practice.
Yes, although I wouldn't equate dementia with the kind of forgetting to which "awakening" is pointing. From what I've witnessed, dementia is often quite disturbing and frightening and isn't without content, but the content is mixed up and has large blank spaces. That said, WHATEVER is appearing IS the Way. 🙏
I took care of my Mom who had Early Alzheimer's for years so I KNOW your pain! I cared for other Alzheimer's patients for years but now I KNOW what they were experiencing as I now have Early Alzheimer's myself! I got the gene from both parents. At first it was terrifying because I couldn't remember anything, even my words. I'm on a Carnivore/zero carb diet now and I can talk again (many other miracles/healings as well plus I lost 100 lbs!) but now I'm ok with not being able to remember my past or what I've learned in life! I used to worry and fret about the future and regret my past but NOW I just enjoy each moment and let all that go! It's very freeing!
Beautify said, Joan. It's SO simple, it is usually quite overlooked as we are "seeking escape in our fantasies". Simply listening TO or FOR the SILENCE is "the wayless way".
Estimada Joan, su dedicación a los que estamos perdidos en la película me conmueve. Hace años que sigo su trabajo y me emociona su sinceridad y compromiso constantes. Su vida me parece maravillosa, aunque tome café. Quiero darle las gracias por molestarse en señalarnos "ESO". Un abrazo. Francesc
Dear Joan I am speechless, it's so recognizable what you say. I am looking at the waterbottle on the table, the opaque light in it, the sweet taste of a red grape, the aching pain in my right foot, the fatigue in my body after a day's work etc. It has no label, it's not nice or beautiful, it's there, present. Thank you again for 'illuminating' my day.
It’s all so impermanent and that is a special kind of relief. Thank you Joan, for all that you write is transforming my psyche and I feel lighter each day and whilst encountering each ‘drama’.
Thank you dear Joan for generously and eloquently sharing this wisdom and pointing to the simplicity of being here. I’m reminded of lines from Emily Dickinson: Forever is composed of Nows- ‘tis not a different time…
At times, the moment is more than I can handle, it’s all so overwhelming...
Only when "remembering everything I think I know" is happening (including the bottomline story of "me" and "everything else"), rather than forgetting everything. And luckily, "you" don't have to handle it! It simply IS.
Hola ¡Veig que no hi ha gaires comentaris
És molt bon article
Això té gust i sabor de pau joia i felicitat
No prenguis gaire café ni fumis molt
M'alegro que t'agradi. No fumo i només bec cafè de tant en tant.
I may be finally liberated when my mind goes blank; as I wonder what I came in this room for, right now. Just kidding 😂.
All the time…..!
My mother spent the last decade of her life in the memory care wing of a nursing home. If there’s any grace in dementia, perhaps it’s that forgetting becomes its own kind of spiritual practice.
Yes, although I wouldn't equate dementia with the kind of forgetting to which "awakening" is pointing. From what I've witnessed, dementia is often quite disturbing and frightening and isn't without content, but the content is mixed up and has large blank spaces. That said, WHATEVER is appearing IS the Way. 🙏
I took care of my Mom who had Early Alzheimer's for years so I KNOW your pain! I cared for other Alzheimer's patients for years but now I KNOW what they were experiencing as I now have Early Alzheimer's myself! I got the gene from both parents. At first it was terrifying because I couldn't remember anything, even my words. I'm on a Carnivore/zero carb diet now and I can talk again (many other miracles/healings as well plus I lost 100 lbs!) but now I'm ok with not being able to remember my past or what I've learned in life! I used to worry and fret about the future and regret my past but NOW I just enjoy each moment and let all that go! It's very freeing!
Beautify said, Joan. It's SO simple, it is usually quite overlooked as we are "seeking escape in our fantasies". Simply listening TO or FOR the SILENCE is "the wayless way".
Hear, hear to that quote from Mel Weitsman.
It just keeps getting clearer🥰 Thank you so much for tirelessly, so kindly, pointing it out directly, over and over again. Deeply grateful for you 💚
Estimada Joan, su dedicación a los que estamos perdidos en la película me conmueve. Hace años que sigo su trabajo y me emociona su sinceridad y compromiso constantes. Su vida me parece maravillosa, aunque tome café. Quiero darle las gracias por molestarse en señalarnos "ESO". Un abrazo. Francesc
Dear Joan I am speechless, it's so recognizable what you say. I am looking at the waterbottle on the table, the opaque light in it, the sweet taste of a red grape, the aching pain in my right foot, the fatigue in my body after a day's work etc. It has no label, it's not nice or beautiful, it's there, present. Thank you again for 'illuminating' my day.
❤️
I find it's like living in a kaleidoscope which I've loved since a small child!
💜
It’s all so impermanent and that is a special kind of relief. Thank you Joan, for all that you write is transforming my psyche and I feel lighter each day and whilst encountering each ‘drama’.
Thank you dear Joan for generously and eloquently sharing this wisdom and pointing to the simplicity of being here. I’m reminded of lines from Emily Dickinson: Forever is composed of Nows- ‘tis not a different time…
Thanks, Joan:)
“We don’t get anything. Whatever you get is a cause for suffering so we practice not getting anything.”
Ajahn Chah.
Thank you always, Joan 🌿
Your writings continue to touch something very deep.
The truth you point to is extraordinary, and yet words can never fully express it.
Recently, I realized that “the here and now” is truly what we are — not something to reach, but simply this.
I’m writing from Japan and always look forward to your posts.
I feel a quiet closeness and deep gratitude for having found such a beautiful presence in you.
Wishing you peace and well-being, always. 🌸
Love to you too Joan...
Yes - impossible to catch hold of without some degree of interpretation...either overt or covert.
The Catch 22 is that ANY description is one step removed (at the least!).
🈚️😘
But then, interpretation and words are also "it"!
Indeed...no-thing is not 😂