Spiritual Guidance Blog

When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me 
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be 
And in my hour of darkness she is standing right in front of me 
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be 
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be 
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be 

And when the broken hearted people living in the world agree 
There will be an answer, let it be 
For though they may be parted, there is still a chance that they will see 
There will be an answer, let it be 
Let it be, let it be, let it be, yeah let it be 
There will be an answer, let it be 
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be 
Yeah let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be 
There will be an answer, let it be 

Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be 
There will be an answer, let it be 

And when the night is cloudy there is still a light that shines on me 
Shine until tomorrow, let it be 
I wake up to the sound of music, Mother Mary comes to me 
There will be no sorrow, let it be
Let it be, let it be, let it be, yeah, let it be 
There will be no sorrow, let it be 
Let it be, let it be, yeah let it be, yeah, let it be 
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

 … John Lennon and Paul McCartney

John Lennon and Paul McCartney’s immortal lyrics to one of the most famous songs ever written remind us of the grace and wisdom to be found in simply letting life be. With each blessed day I give thanks and gratitude for the choices we are brought in every moment of our lives. Because as each choice, each teaching/learning opportunity, presents itself to us we are gifted with the knowing that “we need do nothing”¹ but let life be. But what does it take to let all that happens in our life simply happen?

First, it requires surrender; surrender to what life offers us. Carl Jung, Deepak Chopra, and others, are credited with the saying “what we resist, persists.” And so it is. We so often try and force life; force it to do what “we” want. And yet we forget too often that we (the small “I”) are not in charge of this journey. Deepak Chopra and Rudolph Tanzi offer in their book Super Brain “Whatever you resist persists. There’s the rub. As long as you engage in an inner war between what you crave and what you know is good for you, defeat is all but inevitable. In its natural state, will is the opposite of resistance.”

Second, it requires trust; trust in the divine order of all of life. We must come to know that all that happens to us in life is exactly what is supposed to be happening. And it is supposed to be happening because we asked for it to happen. It is the Buddha who said “All that we are is the result of all that we have thought.” All that we are is a result of our direct experience. And our direct experience is what is happening to us in every moment. And this ‘every moment’ is happening because we have brought it to us, simply by our thoughts.

Lastly, once we surrender and trust, we come to rest in the knowledge that all is for our greater good. I have a dear soul friend who is regularly heard saying “It’s all God, and it’s all good.” In making that affirmation, she is (a) surrendering, (b) trusting, and (c) knowing that all is for our greater good. Everything is brought to us for our learning. It is the famous mystical poet Rumi that says it best in his poem “The Guest House”…

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they are a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice.
meet them at the door laughing and invite them in.

Be grateful for whatever comes.
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

Jelaluddin Rumi

translation by Coleman Barks

1.     1.  A Course in Miracles.

 Shanti, Namaste, Agapé,

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“How do you step from the top of a 100-foot pole?”

 … Zen koan

This passage was inspired by a dear soul who recently rejoined one of my discussion groups after an absence of about two years. When they left the study group, they felt they had outgrown the practice, that they no longer needed the practice in their lives, and that they had learned all they needed to learn from the practice. When they returned to the study group, they shared that their life had taken a ‘bad turn’ over the past couple of years, that they found themselves in a ‘bad place,’ and that they needed to return to the study group for support and to find the peace and tranquility they had acquired before they left the study group the first time. I asked this dear soul if they had engaged in any spiritual practice during their absence from the study group. They responded, “No. I didn’t think I needed it anymore.”

I have watched and witnessed this all too familiar scenario play itself out in the lives of many a precious soul. But it never ceases to intrigue me how we think we have risen above our spiritual practice to a point where we do not think we need it any longer. This brought me to ask myself, “When does spiritual practice end?”

Greg Goode, a non-dualistic supporter, suggests that spiritual practice ends when we no longer seek what we are looking for in the practice.¹ Goode believes the question comes up in most faith and spiritual traditions “because the ‘Yes’ to practice is built into their very structure.” Goode suggests that in non-dualistic thinking, practice may only make matters worse because the practice itself “will only reinforce the sense of a separate self that thinks it can gain something. What must happen is not practice, but the disappearance of this sense of self.”

In his article ‘At the End of Spiritual Practice,’ C.E. Lowman shares an equally-interesting perspective on spiritual practice. Lowman writes “…after a certain altitude, you will need to shed them [the practices], at least as a means to an end. Thus, we never want to overly invest in techniques or paths, or confuse love of Truth with the vehicles that help us find it. Indeed, the one who has dispensed with meditation and yoga is likely more realized than the one who boasts about meditating two hours a day for forty years, or who can bend in every known asana. You know you’re coming to the end of practice when you begin wondering, ‘Now what? Is it possible to go any further with doing things to be spiritual?’ Desire drives practice. You want to learn something. Be somebody. Which is both necessary, and in the long run, problematic, especially when it comes to matters of self-realization. The last little bit of work, or practice, is living without desire. Accepting what is.”²

Both Goode and Lowman appear to be making the same point when it comes to spiritual practice. For as long as we are seeking something from our practice and/or from life, for as long as we desire something outside of ourselves, we need spiritual practice. But when we give up ‘desire,’ when we finally learn to accept what is, spiritual practice becomes unnecessary.

For those mere mortals, like myself, who until desire is shed and we can ‘be’ with and in life, accepting what is, nothing more and nothing less, spiritual practice may be a necessary guiding light to help us shed our sense of self. Spiritual practice is the vehicle that will help us shed our perception of separation from Source, the Divine, God. When this happens, our spiritual practice will become life itself.

Shanti, Namaste, Agapé,

1.   Greg Goode. “Is Spiritual Practice Necessary”. www.nonduality.com/goode5.htm

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“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”

… Aesop

A few months ago I was grateful to celebrate my 48^th birthday. That I have lived 48 years is a blessing in itself, but the milestone of my birthday paled in comparison to the deluge of kindness that was shown to me on that day.

Many hours before the day actual day struck March 17^th, birthday wishes started to flow in from around the world. On the day itself, dozens, perhaps hundreds, more kept flowing in. All seemingly, small, little gestures of thoughtful, caring and kind well wishes. But as they kept flowing in—too many to respond to each one individually, although I responded to more than 100—the totality of those individual, little gestures started to come into focus.

We so often take for granted a kind, little gesture—not only the affect and effect of receiving, but also the same in giving. We too often stop to thank people for seemingly, small, little gestures of kindness directed toward us without understanding what we are doing. For example, having someone open a door for us; or someone giving up their space in line to allow us to go ahead. We may say thank you for these gestures, but we barely take the time to stop, look the person it the eye, and connect with them on a soul level. We too often rush ahead in our hurried lives momentarily grateful that we have gained a few precious seconds in our unquenchable-thirst for efficiency and our illusionary quest to ‘get ahead of the game’ and ‘beat the clock’.

And the same holds true for offering a kind gesture to someone. We may think we are sending a simple, little birthday wish. We may think all we are doing is being kind and opening a door for someone. But something far more significant and meaningful may be happening in these simple, little gestures—both for the giver and receiver.

For the giver, you have stopped, for just a moment, pulling yourself out of your self-aggrandized sense of self and put someone else before you. You have realized, if only for a moment, you are not the only person that walks this earth and that all that life has to offer is also comprised of these moments to give of ourselves, truly, completely and freely.

For the receiver of these small, little gestures, are capable of nothing short of changing and/or saving lives. The piece of inspirational fiction below, by John W. Schlatteris, is a perfect example…

 One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class was walking home from school. His name was Kyle. It looked like he was carrying all of his books. I thought to myself, "Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday? He must really be a nerd."

I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friends tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on. As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him. They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt. His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him.

He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes. My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him as he crawled around looking for his glasses, and I saw a tear in his eye. As I handed him his glasses, I said, "Those guys are jerks." They really should get lives.

"He looked at me and said, "Hey thanks!" There was a big smile on his face. It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude.

I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived. As it turned out, he lived near me, so I asked him why I had never seen him before. He said he had gone to private school before now. I would have never hung out with a private school kid before. We talked all the way home, and I carried some of his books. He turned out to be a pretty cool kid. I asked him if he wanted to play a little football with my friends. He said yes. We hung out all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him, and my friends thought the same of him.

Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books again. I stopped him and said, "Boy, you are gonna really build some serious muscles with this pile of books everyday!"  He just laughed and handed me half the books. Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends.

When we were seniors we began to think about college. Kyle decided on Georgetown and I was going to Duke. I knew that we would always be friends, that the miles would never be a problem. He was going to be a doctor and I was going for business on a football scholarship.

Kyle was valedictorian of our class. I teased him all the time about being a nerd. He had to prepare a speech for graduation. I was so glad it wasn't me having to get up there and speak Graduation day.

I saw Kyle. He looked great. He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school. He filled out and actually looked good in glasses. He had more dates than I had and all the girls loved him. Boy, sometimes I was jealous! Today was one of those days.

I could see that he was nervous about his speech. So, I smacked him on the back and said, "Hey, big guy, you'll be great!" He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled. " Thanks," he said.

As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began… "Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years. Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach...but mostly your friends...I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them. I am going to tell you a story."

I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told the story of the first day we met. He had planned to kill himself over the weekend. He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his Mom wouldn't have to do it later and was carrying his stuff home. He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile. "Thankfully, I was saved. My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable."

I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest moment. I saw his Mom and dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile. Not until that moment did I realize its depth.

Never underestimate the power of your actions. With one small gesture you can change a person's life. For better or for worse.

God puts us all in each other’s lives to impact one another in some way. Look for God in others.

What opportunities are there for you to receive and give kindness today? You may just be changing and/or savings the lives of someone—including yourself.

Shanti, Namaste, Agapé,

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“When another blames you or hates you, or people voice similar criticisms, go to their souls, penetrate inside and see what sort of people they are. You will realize that there is no need to be racked with anxiety that they should hold any particular opinion about you.”

… Marcus Aurelius

I recently witnessed two all-too-familiar experiences regarding opinions. The first experience involved one person sharing an opinion and another person being upset at that opinion. The second experience involved a person sharing his opinion and then becoming upset that others did not change their opinion to align with his opinion. Two different situations but with some common teachings.

As I watched both these experiences unfold, I was gifted with the reminder that opinions are only opinions, nothing else. Opinions are neither right, nor wrong; they are neither good, nor bad. Opinions are just opinions. Opinions may not even be ‘truth’; for opinion is of perception, and perception if of the mind. Truth is not born in the mind; truth it is born in the heart.

When we find ourselves upset at someone else’s opinion, we are allowing judgement to rule our thoughts and actions. Why do we choose to become upset at someone else’s opinion? Why have we become so arrogant, and invested so much in the way we think, that we assume we are right and, automatically, someone else is wrong—simply because they hold a different opinion.  Why do we lose our grounding when an opinion different than ours is shared with us? Are we really that weak in our conviction? Are we really that unstable in our state of mind? Are we really that untrusting of our God-given divinity to think that something or someone outside of us should alter or affect our state of being, here and now?

I was particularly grateful to my brother for the important lessons he was teaching me when he became upset that others did not change their opinion to align with his opinion. I was reminded that when we hedge our peace, joy and happiness on others accepting and/or adopting our opinions as their own, we give over our power to these people because we are giving over our power to something outside of us instead of staying grounded in our own internal strength and power. We are also allowing judgement to rule our thoughts by believing we are right and the other person is wrong. Our ego takes it one step further, however. It won’t stop at just knowing we’re right and the other is wrong. The ego wants to crush the other’s will into submission by twisting and manipulating their way of thinking to align with our way of thinking—that is total domination. As Deepak Chopra shared in his book “How to Know God”, just some of the things the ego is motivated by is to (a) win; (b) have power over others; (c) be in control; and (d) do it all my way.

Opinions seem to be natural things to have. In the end, I am left wondering about the value of opinions as I recall Shunryu Suzuki’s words… “I discovered that it is necessary, absolutely necessary, to believe in nothing.” What I think this Zen monk is offering us is that inherent in our beliefs are our opinions. Holding any opinion, firmly, creates beliefs and these elements create the conditions that cultivate judgement. And when we cultivate judgement, we cultivate dualism or separation. When we cultivate dualism or separation, we cultivate the conditions necessary for bigotry and prejudice. When we cultivate bigotry and prejudice, we cultivate the conditions necessary for hatred. And when we cultivate the conditions for hatred, we cultivate the conditions necessary for war. I am not saying that to have an opinion will, by default, lead to war. But I trust you can see a progression from opinion -> judgement -> dualism / separation -> bigotry / prejudice -> hatred -> war.

It’s okay to have opinions. But let me ask you this…would you rather be right or happy?

Shanti, Namaste, Agapé,

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