Once again, thank you, especially for the writing about a therapist and for all of it. Your writing hits home for me and brings me to the present, over and over, as all that I have. "The kingdom of God is now or never. "
Gratitude overflowing. For the sweetness of your post, especially how I say *Thank You* to all the past episodes of life, which when shorn of evaluation and judgement, result in some unexplainable way to this living breathing moment.
Paradoxes seem to obtain only at the border line between what can be known and understood and what most likely cannot, so paradox seems to be an artifact of human limitation. After our various private chats about Palestine and our mutual sharing of sources, I love that you recognize that borderline, Joan. So few want to, which is understandable. Falling through space with nothing to grasp--no verities, no certainties--is an acquired taste at best.
Good words, these, Joan:
"As we watch the News or read history books, events all seems very substantial and nailed down. But every moment of this living reality instantly vanishes into thin air, and everyone in these events or watching them from afar is seeing a different movie."
Thank you Joan, for yet another very valuable reflection. Interesting that you end with a quote by Pir Elias Amidon. A dear friend of mine who lives in Lugano, Switzerland, has received from Elias permission to lead a yearlong program called "The Open Path" based on Elias's book by the same name (https://camminoaperto.tumblr.com/). Three years ago I participated in the first edition. It was a deep immersion in love, compassion, and beauty. "Free medicine for the soul" is another very good read by the same author. Like you say, we can reach out to all that helps us on the way home.
this is a particularly poignant and beautiful section that i love a lot:
"I’m infinitely grateful that I sobered up. But in all honesty, I don’t feel that my life as a drunk was in any way less perfect than my life now. It had its beauty. It took me to places I would never have gone sober. It gave me compassion, insight and wisdom in ways I doubt I would have gotten any other way."
I believe that Tony Parsons is recognizing epidemic levels of self hatred that are endemic to the legalistic Abrahamic traditions that teach us that we were born in sin. Achaan Sumedho has written of the Asian acceptance of human weaknesses. What I’ll sense in the Theravadan metta practices is a recognition of the small self that simply wants to be happy and an understanding that happiness of our human birthright, rather than a byproduct of getting obeying countless rules and getting c all the stuff we want. Dzigar Kontrul in his wonderful book, Training in Tenderness, writes that the human heart just wants to be open. Extending that warmth to oneself can be quite a challenge and don’t we all know it. Your honesty about your own struggles is quite invaluable.
Yes, self-hatred is rampant in our culture, as is the obsession with self-improvement. Apparently when a bunch of Western Buddhist teachers spoke to the Dalai Lama about self-hatred, he was mystified. Apparently there was no such thing in his culture. Yes, it very well may trace back to the emphasis on original sin and all of that.
“...paradoxically, the cure seems to arise in the willingness to be completely incurable.”
From Nisargadatta:
"...there is no remedy -- except one -- the search for remedies must cease...
If you could only keep quiet, clear of memories and expectations, you would be able to discern the beautiful pattern of events. It is your restlessness that causes chaos."
- I Am That, Chapter 53
Wow Joan. If I tried to write an essay that expressed how perfect our world is, I would descend into (at least today) punching someone in the nose (or so I claim.)
I listened to a book called “Neanderthal” The passages from the POV of the Neanderthal girl/woman are a triumph of non-duality.
These words impart a deep peace and acceptance of all that is. So insightful, and the way you are able to draw from such a rich life of big experience is invaluable, thank you Joan - blessings!
Once again, thank you, especially for the writing about a therapist and for all of it. Your writing hits home for me and brings me to the present, over and over, as all that I have. "The kingdom of God is now or never. "
Goosebumps and tears. Thank you!
Gratitude overflowing. For the sweetness of your post, especially how I say *Thank You* to all the past episodes of life, which when shorn of evaluation and judgement, result in some unexplainable way to this living breathing moment.
Yes. There's no curing what is.
Even though things keep being cured! Ahh, the paradoxes.
Paradoxes seem to obtain only at the border line between what can be known and understood and what most likely cannot, so paradox seems to be an artifact of human limitation. After our various private chats about Palestine and our mutual sharing of sources, I love that you recognize that borderline, Joan. So few want to, which is understandable. Falling through space with nothing to grasp--no verities, no certainties--is an acquired taste at best.
Good words, these, Joan:
"As we watch the News or read history books, events all seems very substantial and nailed down. But every moment of this living reality instantly vanishes into thin air, and everyone in these events or watching them from afar is seeing a different movie."
Perfect, just like you. Imperfect, just like you...all just like everything. Thank you, my friend.
Thank you Joan, for yet another very valuable reflection. Interesting that you end with a quote by Pir Elias Amidon. A dear friend of mine who lives in Lugano, Switzerland, has received from Elias permission to lead a yearlong program called "The Open Path" based on Elias's book by the same name (https://camminoaperto.tumblr.com/). Three years ago I participated in the first edition. It was a deep immersion in love, compassion, and beauty. "Free medicine for the soul" is another very good read by the same author. Like you say, we can reach out to all that helps us on the way home.
dear joan,
thank you for sharing all of this.
this is a particularly poignant and beautiful section that i love a lot:
"I’m infinitely grateful that I sobered up. But in all honesty, I don’t feel that my life as a drunk was in any way less perfect than my life now. It had its beauty. It took me to places I would never have gone sober. It gave me compassion, insight and wisdom in ways I doubt I would have gotten any other way."
infinite gratitude and love,
myq
Yes. What is is what is.
What we think about what is is already a superfluous layer put on what is, even if it automatically becomes part of what is.
What is doesn't need our ideas, our thoughts, our reflections, our opinions, our agreements or disagreements.
What is is fine being naked.
Yes, and......
All the best
I believe that Tony Parsons is recognizing epidemic levels of self hatred that are endemic to the legalistic Abrahamic traditions that teach us that we were born in sin. Achaan Sumedho has written of the Asian acceptance of human weaknesses. What I’ll sense in the Theravadan metta practices is a recognition of the small self that simply wants to be happy and an understanding that happiness of our human birthright, rather than a byproduct of getting obeying countless rules and getting c all the stuff we want. Dzigar Kontrul in his wonderful book, Training in Tenderness, writes that the human heart just wants to be open. Extending that warmth to oneself can be quite a challenge and don’t we all know it. Your honesty about your own struggles is quite invaluable.
Yes, self-hatred is rampant in our culture, as is the obsession with self-improvement. Apparently when a bunch of Western Buddhist teachers spoke to the Dalai Lama about self-hatred, he was mystified. Apparently there was no such thing in his culture. Yes, it very well may trace back to the emphasis on original sin and all of that.
From the article:
“...paradoxically, the cure seems to arise in the willingness to be completely incurable.”
From Nisargadatta:
"...there is no remedy -- except one -- the search for remedies must cease... If you could only keep quiet, clear of memories and expectations, you would be able to discern the beautiful pattern of events. It is your restlessness that causes chaos." - I Am That, Chapter 53
Wow Joan. If I tried to write an essay that expressed how perfect our world is, I would descend into (at least today) punching someone in the nose (or so I claim.)
I listened to a book called “Neanderthal” The passages from the POV of the Neanderthal girl/woman are a triumph of non-duality.
xo Regina
Imperfectly Perfect lol
Love this 💚
Simply this. And, not this. 🤷 lovely Joan. 🙏🏼
These words impart a deep peace and acceptance of all that is. So insightful, and the way you are able to draw from such a rich life of big experience is invaluable, thank you Joan - blessings!