Tag: journey

The Truth in Our Journey.

My friends, this morning I’d like to share one of my favorite passages  from author, Wendell Berry who writes:

“And the world cannot be discovered by a journey of miles,

no matter how long,

but only by a spiritual journey,

a journey of one inch,

very arduous and humbling and joyful,

by which we arrive at the ground at our feet,

and learn to be at home.”

The search for truth is an endeavor universally shared. We seek to understand, to lend greater meaning…to find purpose within our despair.

And for as long back as we can remember, we’ve shared our journey with countless others; travelers bound by a common thread. Yet, somehow always knowing – that which we seek, is already here.

The light can either illuminate or detract; a life constrained by edges, or one of boundless hue. The infinite is in the finite of every instant; released by the question and emboldened through courage.

In peace, sweet friends…

Namaste ❣️

The Journey Left Behind.

“One day, I will find the right words,” Jack Kerouac once shared, “and they will be simple.”

He was speaking to his journeys upon the ‘open road’; traveling for the first time through the mostly untouched hills of the American Southwest.

It was here that he found his resting place; a space in which even the most solitary of breaths carried the amplitude of thousand suns. Where the desert flowers dared to bloom in spite of expert contemplations. And, the lone wolf called long into night – begging his God for just one more day.

In the vast expanse of a glowing empty night he learned that a spirit humbled is a spirit served.

And…

That what matters most is not who we once were, but rather more so who we might become.

“Our battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalk again; we had longer ways to go. But no matter, the road is life.”

Indeed, this road is life – and our legacy, the journey left behind.

In peace…

Namaste ❤

A Blessing of Faith Through Fiery Glory

I was looking through an album this morning; photos capturing moments now long since past. Among which, a faded image – a sunny day joyously spent along the black sand beaches of Kilauea, Hawaii.

The sands there were a silken grey; from molten lava, to hardened stone – and returned to ash once again. Beneath the feet, this fine powder warmed – a return to center through humbled journey.

In the twilight, she cast her glow; as reflections danced upon a bed of polished stone. To each, his own perfection begs – a blessing of faith through fiery glory.

In peace, my loves…

Namaste ❤️

Who Will You Be?

“And that other self,” inquires poet, Jane Hirshfield “who watches me from the distance of decades, what will she say? Will she look at me with hatred or with compassion, I whose choices made her what she will be?”

Such a powerful inquiry, wouldn’t you agree, my loves? The retrospect of compassion’s heart, and the willingness to engage life’s adventure.

We whose choices determine the fate of each unturned stone. How will we look back? With patience, kindness…regret?

And these moments which pass? Shall they slip like sand through weakened hands or, become like fertile soil?

We whose choices define the very depth of soul, how shall we look back?

With resignation to moments lost, or thrill for those resurrected?

Day by day, we build this path; cobbled from the quarry of all which has passed and forged from the fires of circumstance.

We are defined by our choices, my dearest loves – and our senses refined through view.

A little something to consider on this day – and, a question:

“Who will you be…?”

In peace, dear hearts…

Namaste ❤️

The Grace of Being Human.

My darlings, on this day – you’ve the gift of this morning sun; twenty-four brand new hours to do with, anything you choose.

This day offers itself to you, my loves – at first, to whisper; then, to roar. The morning greets with open arms, a reminder of hope through distant sun.

And yet, we find ourselves distracted – pulled from the very center of our ‘settling place.’ Our minds finding cause to wander away, seeking the solace of ‘story’ over this new light of day.

Until we are, again, reminded – that we are destined to observe this world through the gaze of softened view.

And knowing, that it is indeed our greatest blessing on earth – this joy-filled grace of ‘being human.’

“Every morning
the world
is created.
Under the orange

sticks of the sun
the heaped
ashes of the night
turn into leaves again

and fasten themselves to the high branches —
and the ponds appear
like black cloth
on which are painted islands

of summer lilies.
If it is your nature
to be happy
you will swim away along the soft trails

for hours, your imagination
alighting everywhere.
And if your spirit
carries within it

the thorn
that is heavier than lead —
if it’s all you can do
to keep on trudging —

there is still
somewhere deep within you
a beast shouting that the earth
is exactly what it wanted —

each pond with its blazing lilies
is a prayer heard and answered
lavishly,
every morning,

whether or not
you have ever dared to be happy,
whether or not
you have ever dared to pray. ”

from Dream Work (1986) by Mary Oliver

The Path We Choose to Keep.

“Remind yourself, in whatever way is personally meaningful, that it is not in your best interest to reinforce thoughts and feelings of unworthiness. Even if you’ve already taken the bait and feel the familiar pull of self-denigration, marshal your intelligence, courage, and humor in order to turn the tide. Ask yourself: Do I want to strengthen what I’m feeling now? Do I want to cut myself off from my basic goodness? Remind yourself that your fundamental nature is unconditionally open and free.” Pema Chödrön

I was inspired by a quote from Pema Chödrön this morning – a reminder, that in whatever capacity of our being, our truest nature is to be free.

So much so, that we inherently yearn for it – this vast, open space of feeling completely relieved. We crave the simplicity of an unencumbered life, disentangled from the same old habits which are keeping us from our freedom.

And though, mindful of our longings – still we succumb to these patterns of emotional reactivity, metaphorically ‘raising our voice’, when our simple wish is to understand.

So, how do we stay centered in those moments when our ‘being human’ threatens to pull us away? Certainly, there’s no avoiding this volatility of life. And yet, we cautiously ‘hug the banks’ of a river that is continuously changing. Perhaps, too fearful that we might be swept away.

We watch as the waters shift…forcing new path where the ground crumbles in. We may feel apprehensive and uncertain; perhaps, unwilling to watch as new patterns emerge…terrified to let go of all that we’ve ever known.

But, isn’t it in these moments of stretching past our limits that we finally discover a little something worthwhile?

As Ani Pema says, “It’s as if we are always at a crossroad, continuously choosing which way to go. Moment by moment we can choose to go toward further clarity and happiness or toward confusion and pain.”

In the end, my dearest darlings, it’s all about which paths we choose to keep. One takes us nearer to happiness, and the other…pulls us away.

And, we alone must ultimately walk that path.

Leaving Those Other Voices Behind.

My darlings, on this day, one of my favorite poems from author, Mary Oliver – entitled, “The Journey.”

May it serve always as a reminder to the voice which lies within.

Namaste, my beautiful friends ~ wishing you all the love this Universe has to share. And, hoping beyond what words can say – that you are leaving all those ‘other voices’ behind.

For, it is only in listening to that one true voice – that we may finally step into the life we were destined to live.

The Journey by Mary Oliver.

One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice–
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
“Mend my life!”
each voice cried.

But you didn’t stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.

It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.

But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do–
determined to save
the only life you could save.

Where the Dandelions Smile.

I shall be taking a small journey today – through wooded paths, and winding trails; finding, in part, the road home to me.

I’m going to a place where the dandelions ‘smile’ from narrow stone crevices, and the willows dip their heartfelt ‘hello.’

I shall travel for hours, if I like – exploring every route a curious heart may go. I’ll stop to listen to the robin’s trill, and the sound of snow melting back into the earth.

With every step, I shall find my peace – amongst the weathered branches and fallen limbs. Knowing, in time, there will be change – a gentle hush, ushering the dawn of spring.

My darlings, this morning I wanted to share with you one of my favorite poems written by Vietnamese monk and renowned Zen master,  Thich Nhat Hạnh – “The Good News” – a reminder of the sanctity of this one precious human life.

The good news
they do not print.
The good news
we do print.
We have a special edition every moment,
and we need you to read it.
The good news is that you are alive,
that the linden tree is still there,
standing firm in the harsh winter.
The good news is that you have wonderful eyes
to touch the blue sky.
The good news is that your child is there before you,
and your arms are available:
hugging is possible.
They only print what is wrong.
Look at each of our special editions.
We always offer the things that are not wrong.
We want you to benefit from them
and help protect them.
The dandelion is there by the sidewalk,
smiling its wondrous smile,
singing the song of eternity.
Listen! You have ears that can hear it.
Bow your head.
Listen to it.
Leave behind the world of sorrow,
of preoccupation,
and get free.
The latest good news
is that you can do it.

“The Journey” by Mary Oliver.

[blockquote source=”Mary Oliver”]“But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own.”[/blockquote]

Ah, what a beautiful poem ~ and, how very appropriate for this day.

We all have a journey, my friends…we feel it deep within our bones, that inner crying out to say,

“This is not my path.”

And, though that road may seem worn from our worries, trust that there is something immeasurable to be gained – the treasure in finally finding a voice, and one that you’ll soon recognize as your own.

Oh sure, it can seem quite scary, at first –

But, know – that this is the only path that’ll bring you ‘home.’

Much love, my dears ~ and thank you, for all that you are and do.  You are amongst the brightest of blessings in my day ~

The Journey
by Mary Oliver

One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice–
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
“Mend my life!”
each voice cried.
But you didn’t stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do–
determined to save
the only life you could save.