Bibliomancy

Thich Nhat Hanh is my favorite Buddhist author. There is a quality of being that I really resonate with. I find his voice restful even. There are times when I feel troubled that I just get out one of his books and do some bibliomancy; that is I hold the book closed and let my finger glide along the edges of the clustered pages until I feel my energy spring and sink at once, indicating that my fingernail has a met a page with a right message for now.

This is a good spiritual practice. It is usually very useful to finding some instant teachings and comfort. I have done this for many years and always found it the right thing to do.

Today I grabbed three books. One was a book of meditations by Melody Beattie called Journey to the Heart. I opened a passage about saying good bye. That has certainly been the theme of my life in the past year or so. I’m a bit tired of that theme. Truly I am. I just sighed with this one and thought, yup. That’s where I am.

I took up the next book. Its a Sufi publication that is only available to initiates in general. Its called Nature Meditations. Murshid (master teacher) Inayat Khan write it. I opened this book to a passage about orange a color usually associated with the solar plexus. I thought…yup. That’s the crux of some other things going on in my life. I’m having some difficulty directing my life and in utilizing and controlling my focus and my energy toward accomplishment and good health.

I’m starting to feel irritated when I pick up Hanh’s book The Heart Of The Buddha’s Teachings. I don’t want to talk about where I am. I’m irritated and frustrated about where I am. I’m restless about it. I have struggled long and long in the same place and I cannot seem to get myself to stop…there’s a deep fear there. I know that. I don’t even want to voice it; its so big. I am struggling with it…I am facing it. I’m still managing to overcome the fear and move forward in the past couple weeks. Agonizingly incremental, nevertheless progress.

So, the book shows me a passage that says this:

The Twelve Turnings of the Wheel:

Suffering:

Recognition: This is suffering

Encouragement: Suffering should be understood.

Realization: Suffering is understood

Arising of Suffering:

Recognition: There is an ignoble way that has led to suffering.

Encouragement: Well-being should be obtained.

Realization: Wellbeing is obtained.

Cessation of Suffering:

Recognition: Well-being is possible.

Encouragement: Well-being should be obtained.

Realization: Well-being is obtained.

How Well-being Arises:

Recognition: There is a noble path that leads to well-being.

Encouragement: The noble path has to be lived.

Realization: This noble is being lived.

I can’t decide if I’m still irritated or not. The fact is, that it depends on which point/hurdle we’re discussing as to where I am on this list. In some areas of my life, I am at the final stage. I get it and I live it. Simple as that. With other things, I’m only just understanding some of the reasons I am where I am…that fear I’ve only recently identified for example. With still other things I am somewhere in the middle of the two. I am both encouraged that I’ve got more on the ball that I often fear and disappointed in myself that I’m not doing a whole lot better than I am. The truth is, I’m not living up to my potential.

Signs of Spiritual Development

Health, a light body, freedom from cravings, a glowing skin, sonorous voice, fragrance of body: these signs indicate progress in the practice of meditation. - Shvetashvatara Upanishad

I would add to this list, the ability to touch and be guided by the still peacefulness in the center of ourselves.

Deep Question

If you were to destroy in mankind the belief in immortality, not only love but every living force maintaining the life of the world would at once be dried up. - Dostoevsky…

What do you think about this?

Signs of Spiritual Development

Health, a light body, freedom from cravings, a glowing skin, sonorous voice, fragrance of body: these signs indicate progress in the practice of meditation. - Shvetashvatara Upanishad

Acceptance

Some thoughts about acceptance….

An unintended Meme

One of my favorite blogs is Sexuality in Art. Its a thoughtful commentary on life, art and expression. Recently a post was published with these questions. They intrigue me. I decided to contemplate them and answer them here..

Was it you today . . .

Who renewed something that was neglected?

Yes…my love of my writing, my determination to seek my purpose and my truth…my marriage.

Who brightened something that was dark?

My husband brightened our marriage again. M brightened my soul’s aching heart and healed it. My dance friends showed me I can trust women.

Who gave others one less reason to stereotype?

Obama…though, I am not confidant in his ability to be president, I do think his intellect, kind heart and earnest desire is colorless and that’s what the world needs…especially this little piece of it called the US.

Who taught one more person about some principle of kindness?

It seems to me that Oprah is trying to do that with her show….what’s the name of it? I don’t remember, but its about giving and I think that frequently the people on the show fall totally short in their effort to compete, but I think that’s also part of the lessons of it.

Who explained one more reason to be slow to hate another person?

Explained…? No. They didn’t explain. But I frequently think that showing is better than telling. I think that those who used planes like bombs on 9/11 showed us why its so important to not hate anyone. It is too bad that we didn’t listen as we should have…

Who showed others one more harm caused by callous inconsideration?

I did…when I confronted someone about jealousy.

Who sorted something that was jumbled?

There are a couple men who have led the way to sorting out the financial mess that government had come to: Angus King, a recent governor of Maine and Bill Clinton, a recent president. In my own life, I sorted out things that I have not been able to have in my life a long time because others would not respect these things. I have them out now and will be getting out more.

Who cleaned and shined something that was deserted?

New Orleans…and in my own life I did this with my marriage.

Who rebelled against something that was mean?

Many have done this…history is full of such protests, demonstrations and revolutions. The most recent ones which fill the news broadcasts are the monks. In my own life, I rebelled against jealousy.

Who broke a threatening silence?

Those who love do this…Those who do not allow pride to relinquish opportunities do this. History is just as filled with this…In my own life? I have not done so. There are two situations that I have not done so in. It is not pride, but fear of more hurt which holds me back. At some point my bravery will win out though.

Who shared one more reason to live?

I don’t have any idea if I’ve done this recently. I just speak of my thoughts and if someone is aided by it, then I am really happy. There have been times when I have spoke the truth as I see it and seen someone choose life because of it.

Who disarmed one more fear?

I do that all the time. It seems to be something that comes naturally to me. Most of the time, I am not even aware of it until someone points it out to me, but people feel safe around me and willing to risk. I like that.

Who expressed one more doubt about an absolute position?

The Dalai Llama did so when I spoke against violence and the right to be right. The Monks are right to feel angry and fed up…but violence will not change anything of these situations. For many generations in the existence of the country called China, there have been dictatorships and violence against anyone who would not submit. They have never learned their lesson that people must be free to choose as they feel is right, and that no amount of force from a dictatorship is going to assure loyalty in the hearts of their people.

Who suggested it may be a good thing to love one more person?

Me. Love is a gift. *smiles*

Who educated others about one more source of unwarranted guilt?

I don’t know if I’ve educated others about guilt…but I’ve been talking about it lately and how its effected my life.

Who illustrated to others they were not alone in feeling outcast?

I think that’s something that lots of people do. It is not an isolated individual doing that. There are many leaders for that situation in this world thank god.

Who remembered and honored a love they received in the past?

Me.

Who mitigated the suffering of someone who had little hope?

I have tried to do that many times in my life. I intend to continue.

Who exchanged one more pleasure?

I can say yes to this one too.

Who brought adversaries back toward community?

I have done this at times…but I also remember that you can lead a horse to water….

Who said, “No!” to losing one more love?

Love is never lost…it is merely set aside by those without faith.

Who fought for the common good?

Many people do so and I am one.

Who spent part of their day trying to learn and share one lesser known concept?

Sometimes I do this. Sometimes it doesn’t seem important to do so.

Who argued it’s okay to pursue happiness?

I always do that. I think the soul is happiness personified.

Challenge whatever holds you down, makes you more silent, or suggests you’re not worthy of fulfillment.