Thank you once again Joan for your honesty in revealing your personal struggles. I look forward every day to reading your beautiful writing and profound teaching. This morning, when I read this I could hear the voice of my first teacher, Ramesh Balsekar who always urged anybody who thought they were the "doers" to take any simple action and see how it had happened, how the thought or action had just appeared due to infinite causes and personal conditioning. I've always felt relieved, not bothered. I've struggled with insomnia for years and it only got better when I let go of thinking that I could make it go away by effort. It comes and goes all by itself, just like all thoughts, feelings and emotions. And, most of all, even the letting go just happened! "Let life flow" Ramesh used to say.
So encouraging to keep reading your perspective, Joan, thank you.
The varied examples you use, and in particular your own challenges, are immensely helpful for me as I put my toe in the water of the movement of the totality. What you write makes so much sense, and the everyday examples from your experience bring it all to life, so to speak.
Wonderful insights and a reminder of all flow and impermanence. I always bit and pulled my nails and still do sometimes - I am 68- but very seldom now. At first, when trying to break the habit, it was a matter of personal will for me. But, as with most habits, I have discovered it will change when you finally just don’t want to do it or feel a certain way anymore. Not sure how I got there but grateful for it - with the realization that all things come as they do.
Thank you Joan, that relaxed me directly since I have the same „problem“, biting and eating the skin aside my fingernails occasionally. But as you say that’s also life and just happening, not necessary to be judged. The freedom comes directly, also no choice but wonderfully relaxing.
beautiful sharing Joan. Yes we do not choose the roles we play with their many idiosyncrasies. And our error lies in believing that we are here to perfect the roles rather than simply play them out...
Hits the target again Joan...cutting through the overlaid duality (in as much as anything expressed rather than directly experienced can). Resonates strongly and consistently. Thanks.
i have bitten my fingernails for most of my life, and it is valuable to read this: "If this compulsion shows up off and on for the rest of my life, I’m at peace with that."
i also like this very much: "all this only sounds scary from the perspective of the mirage, the me-identity, who seems to be a separate fragment in a divided up world."
So beautifully written! Thank you, Joan. 🙏🙂
Thank you once again Joan for your honesty in revealing your personal struggles. I look forward every day to reading your beautiful writing and profound teaching. This morning, when I read this I could hear the voice of my first teacher, Ramesh Balsekar who always urged anybody who thought they were the "doers" to take any simple action and see how it had happened, how the thought or action had just appeared due to infinite causes and personal conditioning. I've always felt relieved, not bothered. I've struggled with insomnia for years and it only got better when I let go of thinking that I could make it go away by effort. It comes and goes all by itself, just like all thoughts, feelings and emotions. And, most of all, even the letting go just happened! "Let life flow" Ramesh used to say.
So encouraging to keep reading your perspective, Joan, thank you.
The varied examples you use, and in particular your own challenges, are immensely helpful for me as I put my toe in the water of the movement of the totality. What you write makes so much sense, and the everyday examples from your experience bring it all to life, so to speak.
….Not always (often) feeling peaceful—but being at peace even with upset….
Thank you.
Joan. Another gem. Thank you.
Wonderful insights and a reminder of all flow and impermanence. I always bit and pulled my nails and still do sometimes - I am 68- but very seldom now. At first, when trying to break the habit, it was a matter of personal will for me. But, as with most habits, I have discovered it will change when you finally just don’t want to do it or feel a certain way anymore. Not sure how I got there but grateful for it - with the realization that all things come as they do.
Thank you Joan, that relaxed me directly since I have the same „problem“, biting and eating the skin aside my fingernails occasionally. But as you say that’s also life and just happening, not necessary to be judged. The freedom comes directly, also no choice but wonderfully relaxing.
Thank you Joan, always. I love reading you, your voice soothes me 🙏
♥️
This is powerful. Thank you for sharing, Joan.
Thank you Joan. I love what you offer. I will reread again. ❤️
beautiful sharing Joan. Yes we do not choose the roles we play with their many idiosyncrasies. And our error lies in believing that we are here to perfect the roles rather than simply play them out...
Hits the target again Joan...cutting through the overlaid duality (in as much as anything expressed rather than directly experienced can). Resonates strongly and consistently. Thanks.
dear joan,
thank you as always for your words.
i have bitten my fingernails for most of my life, and it is valuable to read this: "If this compulsion shows up off and on for the rest of my life, I’m at peace with that."
i also like this very much: "all this only sounds scary from the perspective of the mirage, the me-identity, who seems to be a separate fragment in a divided up world."
thank you so much!
love,
myq
❤
Beautiful ♥️