Challenging and provocative. This brings the first of the noble truths to mind: the truth of suffering, and that it cannot be denied. And of course, the following three truths and the eight-fold path expound upon that. I have to say this makes me feel rather sad and hopeless that this is the way it is, and I wish I could feel, like you, that your pain and suffering has improved your life. Oh the other hand, I am reminded of a lyric from The Fantastiks - "Without a hurt, the heart is hollow." It's all very yin-yang to me, and as you say - it can't be pulled apart. Thanks Joan
I think the most consequential, whine properly interpreted teaching in the Bible is Jesus’ request that we forgive people because we don’t know what we’re doing. Our efforts to wloving and kindly to often fail tragically short, but that effort to love ourselves is the
Superb as always Joan. The unfolding of what is, from a state of potential to that of manifestation...Much love and deep bows for sharing your insights so clearly.
I deeply agree with your statement there is no Cosmic plan that deliberately designs bad experiences in our favor to wake us up. And I am convinced there is no such thing as a personal choice. Life is just happening without personal intention or purpose. But your statement "everything is grace if you see it as grace. And actually, even if we don't see it or can't see it yet, it's still grace" goes against that statement (I think) because grace implies there is "something" that has a purpose or intention. Where does grace come from when life just happens? Including hurricanes, volcanoes, tidal waves, earthquakes or viruses as you wrote. I would love to believe in grace because my life is hard, but I highly doubt thinking suffering is grace. I can understand the benefits of accepting life as it is, of course, but grace sounds like an intention, a plan. A personal proces. It has been my daily struggle and frustration for the past ten years trying to understand suffering is just suffering and does not have a purpose. How wonderful it would be if suffering was a process that would bring us closer to truth, ourselves, oneness, silence, god, the beloved, whatever you call it.
Thank you for your kind writing! I always love the questions in Toni Packer's approach: "Can there just be that?" and "Is that possible?" or the farmer saying "Well, maybe" - that open-ness makes me feel alive.
Such a vexing question answered beautifully. For myself the key to peace has been the understanding that in the moment, things shouldn't be other than they are.
The only thing I will add is that I do have hope there is a teleos, and ultimate goodness, to it all. I've had far too many direct personal experiences that don't fit into a purely materialistic, indifferent universe, framework. Whatever this "ground of being" is, I've found it provides grace when needed, and is playful. I'm very thankful for that, and for your inspiring and graceful work. Namaste.
Challenging and provocative. This brings the first of the noble truths to mind: the truth of suffering, and that it cannot be denied. And of course, the following three truths and the eight-fold path expound upon that. I have to say this makes me feel rather sad and hopeless that this is the way it is, and I wish I could feel, like you, that your pain and suffering has improved your life. Oh the other hand, I am reminded of a lyric from The Fantastiks - "Without a hurt, the heart is hollow." It's all very yin-yang to me, and as you say - it can't be pulled apart. Thanks Joan
An age old question answered with such clear reflection...wishing all who question this are able to see and feel this too🙏❣️
Thank you Joan. So, so helpful for me.❤️
Thank you. Maybe, it is one of de best of your last writings
I think the most consequential, whine properly interpreted teaching in the Bible is Jesus’ request that we forgive people because we don’t know what we’re doing. Our efforts to wloving and kindly to often fail tragically short, but that effort to love ourselves is the
Looking forward to the sequel: Why Good Things Happen.
Seriously -very much liked this writing, and the thoughts it has set running in my head. “The wound that doesn’t heal”. Glad to have heard that today.
Dies a mountaineer climb simply to get to the summit? Do we listen to a favourite song only to hear the last fading note?
Am I writing this comment with a mind-blowing conclusion in, er… mind?
Thanks anyway, Joan. Off to explore your stuff further now.
‘nature and nurture are infinite’ is a brilliant rendition of ‘conditioned co-production’ or ptratitya samutpada. 👍🏻
Superb as always Joan. The unfolding of what is, from a state of potential to that of manifestation...Much love and deep bows for sharing your insights so clearly.
I deeply agree with your statement there is no Cosmic plan that deliberately designs bad experiences in our favor to wake us up. And I am convinced there is no such thing as a personal choice. Life is just happening without personal intention or purpose. But your statement "everything is grace if you see it as grace. And actually, even if we don't see it or can't see it yet, it's still grace" goes against that statement (I think) because grace implies there is "something" that has a purpose or intention. Where does grace come from when life just happens? Including hurricanes, volcanoes, tidal waves, earthquakes or viruses as you wrote. I would love to believe in grace because my life is hard, but I highly doubt thinking suffering is grace. I can understand the benefits of accepting life as it is, of course, but grace sounds like an intention, a plan. A personal proces. It has been my daily struggle and frustration for the past ten years trying to understand suffering is just suffering and does not have a purpose. How wonderful it would be if suffering was a process that would bring us closer to truth, ourselves, oneness, silence, god, the beloved, whatever you call it.
Thank you for your kind writing! I always love the questions in Toni Packer's approach: "Can there just be that?" and "Is that possible?" or the farmer saying "Well, maybe" - that open-ness makes me feel alive.
For me this hit the target: "[E]verything is grace when you see it as grace. And actually, even if we don’t or can’t yet see it, it’s still grace."
Thank you, Joan!
Losing love is like a window in your heart. ~Paul Simon,
Graceland
I see and feel this, as though you'd written this essay for me, Joan
Such a vexing question answered beautifully. For myself the key to peace has been the understanding that in the moment, things shouldn't be other than they are.
The only thing I will add is that I do have hope there is a teleos, and ultimate goodness, to it all. I've had far too many direct personal experiences that don't fit into a purely materialistic, indifferent universe, framework. Whatever this "ground of being" is, I've found it provides grace when needed, and is playful. I'm very thankful for that, and for your inspiring and graceful work. Namaste.
Thanks again Joan. Right on target as usual. Always so simple and clear.
Hildegard of Bengen said -
It's Heaven
All the way
To Heaven...