I heard a very wise man speak last night. He spoke about the full circle that seems to happen within spiritual work. Many spiritual traditions have cropped up over time to meet needs of humans who have a desire to be different than they are. It is a catalyst to begin the work in the first place–this suffering, this not being happy or content with the way circumstances are. So one begins to walk a path looking towards those enlightened beings who have walked it before, wanting what they have so one might not experience suffering any longer.
So we circle back to suffering.
But eventually, one realizes that they key to success is accepting, allowing, circumstances to be as they are, internal or external, and remaining neutral. It is within that freedom that liberation is experienced. So, one goes from experiencing suffering and rejecting it, to experiencing suffering and not rejecting it, and then and only then can one taste freedom of the internal persuasion. Getting intimate with the sticky bits, the sharp, scratchy, gnawing ones, serves us.
That word allow. I am taking it on as my word for 2009. In fact, I am going to put it up over my desk, as well as on the fridge and in the car.
April 23, 2009 at 6:26 am
Hi Molly – WOW
I am in awe of that word “neutral”. It has become my ‘word’ as of late.When people ask me “how are you”, my reply is ‘neutral’. It is a ‘middle ground’ I am strvving for amidst the suffering and joy to return to ‘neitral
. Each experience is a catalyst to get back to neutral, having fully embraced whatever…
Great post-
Love Gail
peace…..
April 23, 2009 at 6:38 am
I believe there is no universal way of achieving spiritual freedom, there are traveled paths, which can one choose and the probability of your success increases, but it still is just a direction, and not a map to the destination
April 23, 2009 at 7:19 am
Gail–I like the word neutral also. For me, it doesn’t mean not experiencing happiness or suffering, it just means I am not reacting to it. Not creating either craving or aversion, it just means I am remaining neutral within the experience (which is such a practice)
Rambler–thanks for sharing your thoughts.
April 23, 2009 at 8:54 am
I accept with my heart . It’s the same RAIN formulae which comes a useful tool in depressive conditions .
R: Recognize it. Name it.
A: Accept it.
I: Investigate it, be curious. What is it like, right now, this moment, in the body, heart and mind?
N: Non-identification (Not-me). This feeling is just a passing process that comes and goes, it’s not who I am.
enlightening post !! Thanks Molly !!
April 23, 2009 at 8:58 am
Hey Chintan–you are so very welcome. I hadn’t heard of the RAIN formula.
April 23, 2009 at 9:39 am
Allow life to unfold. . . and that we must do.
Peace, Light and Love to you and yours, C.
April 23, 2009 at 9:40 am
Hi Molly,
Thank you for this lovely post. My teacher also talked about the circle of practice. When we start, mountains are mountains and rivers are rivers – but that’s not enough for us. When we complete the circle of practice, mountains are mountains and rivers are rivers – and that’s enough. Can we allow our own confusion about this to be okay? It’s a good place to practice!
April 23, 2009 at 11:34 am
Barry–nice way to put it. I like that. Mountains are mountains and rivers are rivers. I’d like to think I can allow that to be okay. Thanks for your thoughtful comments, as always!
April 23, 2009 at 11:48 am
I like to think of it as allowing ALL that life has to offer. Wise thoughts Molly.
April 23, 2009 at 12:15 pm
That’s nice, Aggs. Really nice.
April 23, 2009 at 12:20 pm
I love this post and I love your blog! The word allow is awesome and I don’t think I’ve given it very much thought at all.
http://positivelypresent.typepad.com
April 23, 2009 at 7:42 pm
I think that is a wise thought, Molly. It is important that we not only allow a certain degree of suffering – but also learn from it. It is much easier to learn from suffering, than say happiness. Suffering also reduces the ego.
Destination Infinity
April 24, 2009 at 3:54 am
Right on the spot, Molly! It is our struggle to change and not accept that brings about so much suffering. We are being taken care of and we always will be. We somehow don’t seem to register that fact.
April 24, 2009 at 8:43 am
Allow.
Yes.
April 24, 2009 at 10:21 am
Yes, to allow is to “be”.
April 25, 2009 at 12:33 am
How wise and true. It is only by accepting pain and suffering (‘dukkha’ in Buddhist terms) as an inevitable part of life that we can gain inner liberation.
This doesn’t mean, however, that we should not fight against any injustices causing pain and suffering in the world.
April 27, 2009 at 10:48 am
I love your word, allow. It may just be, when applied, that which can take us anywhere we want to go.
April 27, 2009 at 2:55 pm
“So, one goes from experiencing suffering and rejecting it, to experiencing suffering and not rejecting it, and then and only then can one taste freedom of the internal persuasion.”
Buddhists call neutrality “same taste.” To fully be neutral, to taste sameness, the above statement must also apply to happiness – can’t hold onto that either.
April 27, 2009 at 2:58 pm
Ha Molly ~ just realized you already said pretty much the same thing I just said. Sorry for the duplicate…geez.
April 28, 2009 at 9:43 am
I am going to follow your suit and make “Allow” my word for 2009 with “Accepting” a close 2nd.
Thank you for this wonderful post and invaluable lesson
April 28, 2009 at 7:01 pm
Molly ~ you have been given the Honest Scrap Award. It’s on my post today. Thanks for sharing your journey!
May 11, 2009 at 9:37 pm
It’s happening all the time. The flow of energy that we create our experience out of. Allowing this flow feels good. Resisting feels bad.
Awesome reminder Molly!
May 14, 2009 at 7:18 pm
What a wonderful insightful post! i am also 35. I am a massage therapist. a few years back I gave massage to a man who was 94, had only short term memory, was being ‘difficult’ by running out of the facility and into the yard in the middle of the night, screaming with nightmares. His son wanted him to ‘relax’ so he hired me for a half hour once per week.
As I arrived I viewed all of his wonderful pictures, bull riding, big game hunting, smoking a cig on a log- truely a man’s man. I suddenly understood his need to get out of bed- escape the small room with the 13 inch tv. He knew me. He remembered me each week I returned to perform massage, never difficult, always smiling. I often talked to him about adventure I had- although it was a one way conversation he struck a smile.
I hope I made a difference in his last days, and no I’m not talking about the massage therapy.
May 14, 2009 at 8:56 pm
Many people don’t like to speak (let alone think of death) and yet it’s a part of the life cycle and not one we can ever bypass. It’s good to remind ourselves that our time is limited…teaches us to be more resourceful, more focused and definitely more appreciative.
Thanks for stopping by my blog, Molly.