The Calling

One of my favorite pasttimes is reading. Though I read many different styles of literature, it seems what resonates with me most deeply are spiritual writings that inspire and guide my spiritual journey. Many years ago, a friend was reading The Interior Castle written by St. Teresa of Avila and I remember recognizing his profound joy and moments of awakening as he worked through the book.

Teresa of Avila was a sixteenth-century saint who has become probably one of the most beloved religious figures in history. The Interior Castle is studied most widely and shares with us her process of seeking the Divine. This is a book free of religious dogma, yet full of spiritual guidance.

And so, ten years later, in a time of despair and need, this book reentered my life. Not remembering, yet never really forgetting, this book chose me. Upon reading the introduction, tears spontaneously filled my eyes and I knew intuitively this was the time for me to hear and absorb this story. I share with you the introduction to the book and pray that these words resonate in your soul and spirit offering a moment to pause, reflect and return to Love.

"The Calling

There is a secret place. A radiant sanctuary. As real as your own kitchen. More real than that. Constructed of the purest elements. Overflowing with the ten thousand beautiful things. Worlds within worlds. Forests, rivers. Velvet coverlets thrown over featherbeds, fountains bubbling beneath a canopy of starts. Bountiful forests, universal libraries. A wine cellar offering an intoxication so sweet you will never be sober again. A clarity so complete you will never again forget.

This magnificent refuge is inside you. Enter. Shatter the darkness that shrouds the doorway. Step around the poisonous vipers that slither at your feet, attempting to throw you off your course. Be bold. Be humble. Put away the incense and forget the incantations they taught you. Ask no permission from the authorities. Slip away. Close your eyes and follow your breath to the still place that leads to the invisible path that leads you home.

Listen. Softly, the One you love is calling. Listen. At first, you will only hear traces of his voice. Love letters he drops for you in hiding places. In the sound of your baby laughing, in your boyfriend telling you a dream, in a book about loving-kindness, in the sun dipping down below the horizon and a peacock's tail of purple and orange clouds unfolding behind it, in the nameless sorrow that fills your heart when you wake in the night and remember that the world has gone to war and you are powerless to break up the fight. Let the idle chatter between friends drop down to what matters. Listen. Later his voice will come closer. A whisper you're almost sure is meant for you fading in and out of the cacophony of thoughts, clearer in the silent space between them. Listen. His call is flute music, far away. Coming closer.

Be brave and walk through the country of your own wild heart. Be gentle and know that you know nothing. Be mindful and remember that every moment can be a prayer. Melting butter, scrambling eggs, lifting fork to mouth, praising God. Typing your daughter's first short story, praising God. Losing your temper and your dignity with someone you love, praising God. Balancing ecstasy with clear thinking, self-control with self-abandon. Be still. Listen. Keep walking.

What a spectacular kingdom you have entered! Befriending the guards and taming the lions at the gates. Sliding through a crack in the doorway on your prayer rug. Crossing the moat between this world and that, walking on water if you have to, because this is your rightful place. That is your Beloved reclining in the innermost chamber, waiting for you, offering wine from a bottle with your crest on the label. Explore. Rest if you have to, but don't go to sleep. Head straight for his arms.

And when you have dismissed the serpents of vanity and greed, conquered the lizards of self-importance, and lulled the monkey mind to sleep, your steps will be lighter. When you have given up everything to make a friend a cup of tea and tend her broken heart, stood up against the violation of innocent children and their fathers and mothers, made conscious choices to live simply and honor the earth, your steps will be lighter. When you have grown still on purpose while everything around you is asking for your chaos, you will find the doors between every room of this interior castle thrown open, the path home to your true love unobstructed at all.

No one else controls access to this perfect place. Give yourself your own unconditional permission to go there. Absolve yourself of missing the mark again and again. Believe the incredible truth that the Beloved has chosen for his dwelling place the core of your own being because that is the single most beautiful place in all of creation. Waste no time. Enter the center of your soul."

This excerpt re-written in full from The Interior Castle translated by Mirabai Starr.

St. Teresa reminds us that we are not lost in this world, just busy and, at times, perhaps, profoundly lonely. Yet we are all searching for love and meaning, purpose and spirit. Give yourself a great gift. Slow down, take time to listen, spend time with yourself and your Divine presence. Your soul depends on it.

Blessings!

Sacred Silence Rights the Universe

directly excerpted from Marianne Williamson's Everyday Grace

"In fairy tales like Snow White and Sleeping Beauty, an innocent maiden is walking through the woods with all the animals of the kingdom gathered around her, in harmony with one another and with her. Birds flock around her, as though to guide her, should she lose her way.

That image -- of the sleeping beauty that lies within us all, snow white in its innocence and purity of spirit -- is a subconscious message to children and adults as well, that when we're aligned with our own spiritual essence, the world is a safer place to be. Remaining serene within ourselves, we become magnets for harmony and peace in the world.

Yet the world is hardly ever a peaceful place, and you and I are not Sleeping Beauty. Inner peace is a real prize in these times; in the words of John Lennon, "I'd give you everything I've got, for a little peace of mind." As difficult as it can be to find genuine inner calm, it is the key to creating peace in the world as we know it. The world will not change until we do, and there is nothing the world can deliver to us that will give us the peace we crave. Peace comes not from the world, but from God.

In any given moment when the world is too much with us, we can take a deep breath and travel home to the inner room inside our minds. There sits God on His radiant throne, always there to receive us in the sanctuary of the heart. He never abandons us, though we abandon Him so frequently. It is built into the design of creation that the Prodigal Son - whether we've been gone for ten minutes or ten years -- can always return home, in any moment we choose.

The door to God swings open at the slightest knock. The portal that takes us from the hysteria of a fear-based world to the peace and love of God is any moment of pure and sacred silence. It only takes one moment, perhaps one good deep breath, in which we inhale the love of God and exhale the madness of the world. We wait in silence to receive His Spirit, willing to soften our heart, no matter how much we need His help to do so. It is a moment when we're willing to forgive anyone and everyone. And it is a moment when we're wililng to pray for a miracle, asking for a ray of light to break through whatever darkness is surrounding us at that moment."

Thank you, Marianne, for reminding us to take time for silence. For reminding us to take time for peace and to embrace silence, not just for ourselves, but for our world. Make time in your day to spend time with yourself and with God. No matter how busy you are or insignificant it seems. Bring consciousness to the moment and give thanks.

Truth

There seems to be a universal interest in truth. But, what is truth? Is it something told to us, is it something we tell, or is it revealed? How do we face the truths about ourselves, others, and our lives together? When are we ready to give and receive that which is true about our life?

There is the aspiration of the human soul and there is the attraction of divine grace, and there exists human will juxtaposed against divine will. One cannot serve both the ego and God, yet we try and often fail in our endeavors. Seek truth in a higher power. Seek truth in God. Do not run from the truth when it is presented to you. You will only be presented with the same lesson over and over in your life until you see and understand the truth. It is said that enlightenment unveils illusion. Live and express the truth as it is revealed to you. Ask for guidance. Believe in yourself and in God. Receive blessings.

“Truth is always your friend. No matter how painful or how difficult it is to swallow, truth is reality and that is where ultimate safety, growth, and God are. We need to know the truth. Sometimes the truth leads us to what is hurting us. Sometimes it leads us to what we need to change. At other times it leads us to what we need to do next in a relationship. At still other times it leads us to what our weaknesses or limitations are, such as what we are not ready to deal with. But whatever the truth is, it is our friend. It is also where Spirit lives. Spirit convicts us when we are wrong, teaches us when we need it, guides us when we need to see the path, and shows us how to get there. When the Spirit leads us to truth, we need to follow. I am slowly learning to recognize the Spirit’s leading; the hunches I feel are often his whispering to me to do something. I am slowly learning to hear and then to follow. In our limited capacities to know ourselves and to see external reality, we must be dependent on the Spirit of truth to show us those realities. In that way, in the path of truth growth happens. We become more of who we truly are and begin doing what we are truly made to do.”
Excerpted from How People Grow by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend

Power

Power



How many times have you been influenced by something or someone and seem to have lost your ground? How many times have you been threatened by authority? How many times have you backed off when someone seems too strong to bear? We often have negative associations affiliated with the idea of power. We think of having power over something or someone, of someone being dominant or overbearing. We may think that power is associated with struggle or money or anything that might keep us down or hold us back. Perhaps we've had bad experiences with powerful people who tried to control us or be controlling. But, what is power. Why do we react to power and what do we know of our own power.

This idea of empowerment allows us to live authentically. Through your daily existence, notice for yourself where you lose your personal power. What situations are you threatened by and how do you react. Notice these reactions. Learn how to recognize how you exercise your power. Begin to see the difference between when your power is taking over, when emotions are escalated and when there is an inner peace and calm where movement from the center is natural and effortless. Get anchored through your breath and be the observer of your own self. Notice how things shift when you are grounded or when you present a different relationship of your self to the situation.

There is a bedrock of truth that lies within. There is an inner strength and an inner compass that guides us. Do not get rattled by the challenges that life offers, but welcome them as opportunities for growth. Learn your patterns, your habits, your weaknesses and strengths. And remember that within your weakness is your greatest strength. Know when to fight, know when enough is enough, when less is more and when to surrender. Notice when the mind controls the body and when the body controls the mind. Bring balance to your state of power. Power is a way of becoming more real with ourselves and with others. Be comfortable with making mistakes. That's part of the process.

Tap into your personal power and then offer it up to a greater power outside of yourself. Hold your ground. Stand on your own two feet. But, be soft and surrender to the bigger picture. Ultimately, you are not in control, although you have the power to express, explore and experience. This life is a journey in which we seek direction. Begin to recognize that it's about the process, not the product. It's about the journey and not the destination.

Bravo, Ladies!

I recently turned 36 years old, and I feel like my life has just begun. For women, this is an amazing age in our lives. In our past, we have tasted many things, chosen different paths, made tons of mistakes and learned from some of them. Now, although we may continue to repeat mistakes, we also learn how to rebound through them faster. We have learned what we like and really what we don't like and have a stronger sense of who we are and where we could be going. Most of us have been in a committed relationship long enough to either still be married or not. Some of us have had children and most of us have been through pregnancy and childbirth with a friend or relative to know if that's what we want, too. We are still young in our bodies and a little more wise in our spirits. It is a beautiful time of both reflection and empowerment, optimism and connectedness.

I am finding more often than not that the women I'm connecting with and reconnecting with are all just now "coming into their own". When us 30-somethings graduated from high school, we were right in the middle of the roaring 80's. Our culture was indundated with waves of money, power and succes. Our dreams of tomorrow and the future were loaded with professional status. Our mothers and grandmothers had given us this fantastic gift of equal opportunity, of breaking through the glass ceiling. We could do it all. THe message we heard subliminally was that you could have a family AND have a career. And, so, most of us went to college to create that career. Post-college, our 20's were filled with career moves to make us the money, power or success we had been trained to desire. And onward we plotted.

A decade later, after many journeys and travels and sights along the way, most of the women I am now relating to are renewing their commitment to their own personal power and fulfilling their dreams by following their heart. Personally, they are finding that having a family is enough. It's an awesome responsibility to have children and to care for them. Most of the women I know would love to stay home with their children as a full-time mother and care for the home. If it is accessible to them financially, they choose this option. Or, that not having a family is also a valid choice. Professionally, they are branching out into home businesses that have a personal connection to them. And, that are rewarding and fulfilling. Where they make the decisions (and the hours!) which can be handled more efficiently and effortlessly (along with having a family). Socially, they continue to learn new things and branch out and stay connected to one another. Spiritually, they are soaring into uncharted territory. Perhaps, examining different perspectives on religion, God and the blessed powers of the Universe. I am amazed each and every day at the wonderful things that the women I know are doing for themselves and for others. And, so, we have each other to support and love along the way into our next phase.

Find yourself amongst the cultural debris. There is so much external input, even when we are conscious of it. Move towards a more internal space and you will find a gracious opening. Reflect on the things you liked to do as a child. They are most likely the kinds of things you would like to do personally or professionally as an adult. Shine brightly by following your heart's desires and dreams. Reach out to other amazing women. And all women are amazing! Ask for help when you need it and know that you are supported!

Blessings to all of the women who warrior through the everyday, smile and share their dreams.

Small Acts of Kindness

Today was Benjamin's birthday. Benjamin is a boy in the school where I teach. He is 4 years old. I was reading to Benjamin's class in the library and I noticed him whisper something to his mom. About 30 seconds later, his mother handed me a chocolate cupcake. Benjamin pointed out to me, along with the rest of his class, the perfectly drawn smiley face, blue frosting drops for eyes, the yellow speck of frosting for a nose and sprinkles for the hair. I laughed, along with the children, at the beauty in these observations. Working with children, I am always reminded of their spontaneous joy and ability to stay present. This morning I was also caught by surprise by this child's act of unconditional love and kindness. His willingness to share for the pure joy of expression. I pause.

On my way home, I notice the vendor on my street corner who sells fruit day in and day out. This is his livelihood. He stands outside in the elements of sun, wind, rain, and snow from early morning until dusk. He is always happy to see me and my dog, Milo, on our walks and he always offers me a banana. A very nice gesture. He knows I like bananas. This man from Turkey whose English is broken has a smile on his face most days. I often check on him to see if he needs a coffee, or a tea or something else to eat other than fruit. He always says he's fine, unless I hand him something, which he gratefully accepts.

These kinds of exchanges occur every day over and over again. We only need to awaken and see that they exist. To take notice, to smile, to see the sacred connections in the simplest of things. It isn't hard to do. It just requires you to get out of your own way, get out of your own mind and look around at the world outside of yourself. To embrace each moment and each person as if they are a child of God.

Take time each day to reflect on your day. Did someone offer laughter, kindness, support to you when you needed it today? Was your coffee prepared lovingly by the person behind the counter and were you thankful? Perhaps someone opened the door for you...just because...even though you were capable of doing it yourself. Maybe your friend called and remembered an important meeting that you were preparing for over the past weeks. Did you get a surprise email from someone? In the act of giving, you, too, are receiving. Were there moments that you offered kindness and compassion without expectations and without reward? Perhaps, your gesture or thought was a sacrifice so that another person could enjoy their day more fully. Did you offer your seat on the subway to another person, not because they were pregnant, or elderly, but just because it seemed that the other person needed it more than you did? Did you give up the last of something even though you wanted it, because you knew someone else wanted it, too?

Take time to reflect and renew and be reminded of small acts of kindness in these kinds of every day exchanges. And, most importantly, be grateful for all that you are given and shown. Be grateful for the reminders of love and compassion that surround us each and every day. Be wary of the ego's disguise of fear and loathing, anger and despair. Look behind the veneer and bless those who suffer and need these prayers the most.