Thursday, April 18, 2013

Reflection

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!

The dark thought, the shame, the malice
Meet them at the door laughing,
And invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,
Because each has been sent
As a guide from beyond.

~Rumi

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Round Two

A further word or two on the ego may be in order. Having awoke to such a dramatic illustration of what I was addressing yesterday, (see Update link from yesterday's post) I am also aware that my language was imprecise. That isn't an ego out of control, it is a human being. The ego is VERY MUCH in control. Whoever that individual is, he is obviously in a bad way. He justifies parking in a handicap spot because he is driving a Ferrari. He is ready to engage in physical violence because his car is being disrespected (which in his mind he has identified with to such an extent it is he himself being disrespected). A revealing non-sequitur can be heard when he states; "...I can buy your whole family, mother****er."

Its easy to sit back and say this individual is an asshole. Doing so, though, judges him. That's the ego's game. Better to simply observe. However, and this is key, if you do find yourself judging him, don't beat yourself up for judging! It is said, what you resists, persists. If we wish to move past judging, we must allow for the realization that we ourselves judge. (It is impossible to fix a problem that we are unaware of.) So realizing we in fact do judge, and not judging ourselves harshly for it, is the first degree of separation necessary. It creates space for something else (other thoughts, emotions, reactions, observations) to cohabitate along side your judgment. It is a start.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

And in that Corner...

It seems as though we have to battle the ego in all things. It seems as though the ego is a 19,347th degree black belt in cosmic jujitsu. Even a master the likes of Chogyam Trunpa (Tibetan Buddhist teacher) has used the description; "The problem is that ego can convert anything to its own use, even spirituality." The problem, as I see it, is calling it a problem. Better stated is; the DYNAMIC is that ego can convert anything to its own use, including spirituality.

Something as sophisticated, complex and fluid as the ego would seem to have a divine purpose. The level of intelligence and multifaceted interaction it engages in would point to a possibility this is true. If so, isn't it time to acknowledge its purpose? It's "perfect" resistance to a reality that there is a God? And if something is performing its function perfectly, acknowledging that perfection would seem to me a cessation of hostility towards it.

Understanding the ego and its function allows me to see a reflection of myself. If the reflection is one of self-indulgence, greed, insecurity, avarice...well, isn't that a good thing? But Pat, Pat...you don't understand! The ego contorts the picture so that we aren't seeing ourselves that way! Okay, fair enough. What comes next? Usually conflict in the form of Life (people, places and things) pushing back on the individuals projected image of themselves. And the individual "selling out" to maintain that projected self-image. (by "selling out" I mean the individual doing anything and everything to convince you of something they themselves don't truly believe) If an individual is in a constant state of conflict something is going to give. A mental breakdown, an addiction, bizarre behavior...humans can only manage so long before the inconsistencies of self take their toll.

So, ultimately, the ego did its job. The pain, suffering and/or humiliation incurred was simply the road needed to convince the individual that though they are a wonder, so too are those they interact with. Overcompensating because of low self-esteem is an idle pursuit. Seeking validation from the car you drive to the clothes you wear (and a hundred other things) is as pointless. It seems possible, without the ego, we might never come to such a conclusion. To me, that's no problem at all.

Update: Woke up this morning to see this on AOL's scroll. Went to youtube and sure enough, there it was. As classic a case of entitlement as one could ever witness. An ego out of control. Watch.

http://www.carsite.co.uk/gallery/videos/id/14126-ferrari-pee-prank

Monday, April 15, 2013

Emotions

Like oceanic tides, your emotions (feelings) are going to roll endlessly onto your mental shore. The insight, the wisdom lies in understanding that they will change. In fact, no matter how you exert your will, you are powerless to keep them static. Till now you have allowed people, places and things to steer your emotional equilibrium. It is time to review the benefits of such a course. Why do we allow others to dictate how we feel?

One of the reasons is we care about them. Our spouse or life-mate leaves us. Perhaps our closest friend or sibling lies about us. A co-worker sabotages us. A parent abandons us. The list is endless; and that is the point! Every situation is fraught with possibilities of betrayal, disappointment, despair. Every situation can also hold the epiphany of trust, joy, love. If you decide that you know how Life is going to unfold, I am here to tell you, you are wrong. And forgive me for being blunt but, in the case of suicides, dead wrong.

Give Life a chance. Its like watching the ocean. One day there isn't anything but 1 foot rollers. The sea is calm. Its boring. Every wave seems the same. The next day (or week) the waves are 6-8 feet high. They are creating beautiful troughs, foam spraying every which way as they crash down to bubble, dip, rip, gyrate and surge towards the shoreline. Life, like your emotional state, is going to change. I guarantee it. That being said, and knowing things WILL change...how much importance should we place on how we feel this very moment?

Honor yourself. Acknowledge the legitimacy of your feelings. Observe and allow for how you feel. Then go about your business. Set your emotion(s) aside knowing you can come back to it at your leisure. What, in this moment of time and space, do you need to realize you are whole and complete? Can you even view yourself in such a way? If so, do what needs to be done! If you can't, to plagiarize a line from the movie Casablanca, this looks to be the start of a beautiful friendship.

Let it go! Whatever you are going through, let it go. A new moment awaits, beckons. Let your being be saturated with it, in it. Anything and everything you need to do or be will reveal itself. Your responsibility is creating space for it. If you are fixated or obsessed it will pass you by. Will it come back round again? Yes, but why wait? Aren't you ready for a new life, a new beginning? Isn't that exactly what you have been praying for? Then by all means, lets begin...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eI6-L38EPo

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Amen

My last word about prayer will come from Psalm 46:10. The following sums up my belief on the refinement of prayer:

Be still and know that I am God
Be still and know that I am
Be still and know
Be still
Be