Temperatures above 100 are very, very, very rare in Portland, Oregon - which is where I am visiting for the next few days. However, Sunday was about 99, yesterday about 101 and today and tomorrow predicted to be over 103. This is just way too hot for this part of the world!
Air conditioning is a rarity in people's homes here, and opening the windows at night brings little relief as the temperature last night only cooled to 79.
However, we human beings are amazingly adaptive. I watch people jogging early in the morning, walking their dogs (even tho the pads of their paws must be hot on the pavement), shopping (possibly to get out of the heat), going to movies even tho they don't particularly care about the film, and on Sunday at a picnic in a beautiful local park, I witnessed g
lee in action.
The city had created a giant palm tree about 40 feet high, painted a vivid green with purple palm fronds at the top. It sat in a carved out circular cement pad roughly 25 feet across. Out of the top of this unlikely form poured a powerful shower of water that cascaded down the fronds to land on the bodies of awaiting children (and a few daring adults) who were laughing and wiggling with complete delight.
Such a simple contraption that brought joy and relief from the heat to awaiting hot bodies. It was also a joy to watch and everyone viewing the scene had smiles on their faces. Connected by a spray of water - brown, white, black, old, young - united for a few hours in a shared expereience of life.
Is this not what will bring peace and understanding to our planet? Shared experiences of what it means to be human in the most simple of ways - allowing us to drop our entrenched ideologies that promote "us and them" viewpoints?
To me, this is what brings us together. Shared experiences that touch us without pretense. When we "forget" that we look different, and simply allow ourselves to "be" as we truly are, boundaries fall away and right and wrong dissolve.
Let's keep turning up the heat...
Blessed be...
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Family Dynamics
How old must we be before we can comfortably let go of our childhood hurts and behaviors that arise from interactions with our families? What must shift in us to be able to truly view our parents and siblings as human beings rather than powerful directors and controllers of our internal reactions? When do we begin to allow ourselves to grow up into the mature adults we think ourselves to be?
These are questions I have been contemplating today as a friend readies her inner landscape for a "possible" visit with her mother and sister, whom she has not seen for many years - and even more years in her own home. I am observing this amazingly gifted, powerful, spiritual warrier, who confidently meets with pillars of the business and religious communities all over the world, nervously await the "maybe" visit with her visiting relatives. I say maybe, for even tho they have been invited to come for dinner, they are continuing to convey non-attachment by making no commitments whatsoever! They will only be in her town for 2 days on their way to another tourist location, and she very much would like to share a litte of her life with them.
What is emerging is what appears to be a continuing and long-held resentment over a 30 year-old incident of betrayal between herself and her sister. Since then, there has been no talking about it - no processing of it together - no nothing. And it is still very much alive in my friend - and must be in her sister as well due to her insistence upon complete independence during this visit.
Years ago, in recovery, I learned that resentments can be so harmful to us, but the letting go of them requires a huge amount of willingness - willingness to really, completely let go of any victimhood that may be lingering around the edges of our hearts - and surrendering into what is at this very moment.
Right now, life is grand and joyous. Right now, my friend is at peace. Right now she is free. Right now....right now...right now is all there is!
And we all - every one of us - gets to practice, practice, practice this simple awareness every day. AND, especially with our families. Constantly remembering that right in this very moment, we are loved beyond our wildest dreams of love - we are perfect in the eyes of Spirit and are cherished children of the divine - right now and always.
These are questions I have been contemplating today as a friend readies her inner landscape for a "possible" visit with her mother and sister, whom she has not seen for many years - and even more years in her own home. I am observing this amazingly gifted, powerful, spiritual warrier, who confidently meets with pillars of the business and religious communities all over the world, nervously await the "maybe" visit with her visiting relatives. I say maybe, for even tho they have been invited to come for dinner, they are continuing to convey non-attachment by making no commitments whatsoever! They will only be in her town for 2 days on their way to another tourist location, and she very much would like to share a litte of her life with them.
What is emerging is what appears to be a continuing and long-held resentment over a 30 year-old incident of betrayal between herself and her sister. Since then, there has been no talking about it - no processing of it together - no nothing. And it is still very much alive in my friend - and must be in her sister as well due to her insistence upon complete independence during this visit.
Years ago, in recovery, I learned that resentments can be so harmful to us, but the letting go of them requires a huge amount of willingness - willingness to really, completely let go of any victimhood that may be lingering around the edges of our hearts - and surrendering into what is at this very moment.
Right now, life is grand and joyous. Right now, my friend is at peace. Right now she is free. Right now....right now...right now is all there is!
And we all - every one of us - gets to practice, practice, practice this simple awareness every day. AND, especially with our families. Constantly remembering that right in this very moment, we are loved beyond our wildest dreams of love - we are perfect in the eyes of Spirit and are cherished children of the divine - right now and always.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
To Marry or Not!
Lately, there has been an expanding movement in favor of clergy refusing to perform marriage ceremonies (actually refusing to sign "official" documentation requested by a particular state)when that state refuses to honor marriage between any couple other than a man and a woman. To me, this is a step forward in clergy actually aligning with the values of spiritual belief passed down through the centuries. It is a way to "walk our talk" of God's unconditional love.
Over the years, clergy have been called to adhere to high spiritual principles. Some of us have done so; others have not. In those instances where the clergy have honored their values and principles, major changes in human behavior and beliefs has occurred. Each step taken with an underlying intention of unity and connection is a step that brings us closer as a species to actually living on a shared planet that supports all of us living in harmony and peace.
How can we create a world that works for everyone, when we begin to exclude this person or that couple or that group? Of course, we cannot.
I support this action, and if asked to perform a wedding in the near future within a state that refuses to honor gay or lesbian marriages, I, too, will refuse to sign the requisite paperwork.
Blessed Be.
Over the years, clergy have been called to adhere to high spiritual principles. Some of us have done so; others have not. In those instances where the clergy have honored their values and principles, major changes in human behavior and beliefs has occurred. Each step taken with an underlying intention of unity and connection is a step that brings us closer as a species to actually living on a shared planet that supports all of us living in harmony and peace.
How can we create a world that works for everyone, when we begin to exclude this person or that couple or that group? Of course, we cannot.
I support this action, and if asked to perform a wedding in the near future within a state that refuses to honor gay or lesbian marriages, I, too, will refuse to sign the requisite paperwork.
Blessed Be.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Open-Mindedness
What does it really mean to have an "open-mind"? Is it just another name for "tolerance?" I wonder. Many years ago, I heard someone say that they did not want to be "tolerated" - they wanted to be understood or accepted, but definitely not tolerated. The underlying implication being that tolerance was kind of a "putting up with" cause there appeared to be no other choice.
In our ever-widening world of connections with different people, different cultures, different foods, etc., I wonder sometimes if we are truly curious and open-minded as we walk next to our "siblings" in this life. And, if we are truly "one" in the overarching definition of the connectedness of all life, then do we not already sense and know our brother in Angola...our sister in Tahiti. What gives rise to our inward wariness to embrace that which is different? What is it that calls our hearts to open?
I believe as we more completely embrace our own essence and begin to live within the comfort of our own unity with life itself, as we begin to understand ourselves and begin to accept ourselves (imperfections and all), we more readily lose our attachment to our own long-held opinions, beliefs, ideas and feelings of separation. It is this awareness that truly opens our hearts and minds. Tolerance loses its grip and becomes part of our past behavior.
Open-mindedness opens the door to acceptance, connection, creativity and love. It opens the door to deeper intimacy, especially with ourselves.
In our ever-widening world of connections with different people, different cultures, different foods, etc., I wonder sometimes if we are truly curious and open-minded as we walk next to our "siblings" in this life. And, if we are truly "one" in the overarching definition of the connectedness of all life, then do we not already sense and know our brother in Angola...our sister in Tahiti. What gives rise to our inward wariness to embrace that which is different? What is it that calls our hearts to open?
I believe as we more completely embrace our own essence and begin to live within the comfort of our own unity with life itself, as we begin to understand ourselves and begin to accept ourselves (imperfections and all), we more readily lose our attachment to our own long-held opinions, beliefs, ideas and feelings of separation. It is this awareness that truly opens our hearts and minds. Tolerance loses its grip and becomes part of our past behavior.
Open-mindedness opens the door to acceptance, connection, creativity and love. It opens the door to deeper intimacy, especially with ourselves.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
On-Line Again
Hello...
Since my last post, so much has evolved, it is better to just stay with today - right this moment - and remind myself that LIFE IS GOOD!
This past weekend, I had the opportunity to speak at a center in another city. My intention in going there was to consciously create an atmosphere in which people might "experience" - in a very personal way - a sense of their own divinity...to have a visceral taste of the sacred, as opposed to simply listening to an intellectual presentation of ideas or concepts about Spirit. On the way home, I felt very good about that intention being fulfilled. There was definitely a shift in the way people related to each other and I feel certain it was because they had the opportunity to experience a shift in how they related to themselves.
I also felt extremely pleased with allowing myself to simply be a vehicle through which Spirit guided my words and my actions during this experience. Authenticity is one of my core values, and showing up in an authentic, honest and very human way feels quite comfortable and easy so that my outer persona is not attached to what other people think about me or how I might feel they are, or are not, judging me. What an internal relief? And what freedom too.
So, when I share that I am "on-line again" it has a much bigger meaning than simply being plugged into the world wide web - it means being truly "plugged in and turned on" to the Spiritual Being that is actually living this life I call mine. AND IT IS GRAND...
Blessed Be
Since my last post, so much has evolved, it is better to just stay with today - right this moment - and remind myself that LIFE IS GOOD!
This past weekend, I had the opportunity to speak at a center in another city. My intention in going there was to consciously create an atmosphere in which people might "experience" - in a very personal way - a sense of their own divinity...to have a visceral taste of the sacred, as opposed to simply listening to an intellectual presentation of ideas or concepts about Spirit. On the way home, I felt very good about that intention being fulfilled. There was definitely a shift in the way people related to each other and I feel certain it was because they had the opportunity to experience a shift in how they related to themselves.
I also felt extremely pleased with allowing myself to simply be a vehicle through which Spirit guided my words and my actions during this experience. Authenticity is one of my core values, and showing up in an authentic, honest and very human way feels quite comfortable and easy so that my outer persona is not attached to what other people think about me or how I might feel they are, or are not, judging me. What an internal relief? And what freedom too.
So, when I share that I am "on-line again" it has a much bigger meaning than simply being plugged into the world wide web - it means being truly "plugged in and turned on" to the Spiritual Being that is actually living this life I call mine. AND IT IS GRAND...
Blessed Be
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