THE CUP

I saw a couple today whose college-age daughter will have her third cancer surgery tomorrow. Their pain was palpable. They pray, live one day at a time and wait for God's will to unfold.

On later reflection, I was reminded of Mother Teresa's comment, "I know God never gives me more than I can handle, I just wish He wouldn't trust me so much."

Then, I recalled Jesus saying something to the effect, "let this cup passeth from me." I went in search of the text, which is Luke 22:42. In one translation, on the Mount of Olives, Jesus said, "Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me, nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done."

MORNING MEDITATION

In my morning meditation, I read portions of Stephen Mitchell's translation of the Tao Te Ching. I want to share with you the 81st reading.

"True words aren't eloquent;
eloquent words aren't true.
Wise men do not need to prove their point;
men who need to prove their point aren't wise.

The Master has no possessions.
The more he does for others,
the happier he is.
The more he gives to others,
the wealthier he is.

The Tao nourishes by not forcing.
By not dominating, the Master leads."

STOP & WAIT

Stop and/or wait are the most difficult actions for me. My motor runs on do, do, do or go, go, go. The last few days have been a refresher course in the former actions.

In my ignoring those commands, I thought I had ruined two paintings. They are in no way complete, but they do have promise.

Last night, I sat and looked at my walls, which display many completed pieces. As I gazed upon each one, I remembered their awkward beginnings or middles. With each canvas, I had to wait for inspiration, which arrived in God's time.

Trying to complete a painting, or any of life's projects, before the path has been revealed is about as successful as pushing rocks or water up hill.

SILENCE AND THE SOUL

This morning I was feeling considerable angst over a business situation. I wanted to do something about it. I wanted to fix it, as if I could. I was caught up in my ego and the illusions of the world.

Finally, I knew, if I was to have any peace today, I must sit quietly, pray and listen. I was directed to the book shelf where my copy of Yogananda's In the Sanctuary of the Soul resides. Upon locating the book, I settled into my comfort chair.

I opened the book to its concluding pages, 115-124. Yogananda speaks of the "inner temple of silence" and said, "When tigers of worries, sickness and death are chasing you, your only sanctuary is the inner temple of silence." Within that temple, "receive God with your awakened intuition ... God is in the heart of soul of every being. And when you open within yourself the secret temple in your heart, then with the all-knowing intuition of the soul you shall read the book of life. Then, and only then, will you contact the living God. And you will feel Him as the very essence of your being."

On closing the book, I went into my temple. As I sat in blissful silence, I knew to the depth of my being worldly objects and thoughts were of no value. I can live without them, but I do not want to live without God's peace.

EYES WIDE OPEN

We often live with our eyes downcast or our vision obstructed by blinders. It takes courage to live with our eyes wide open.

What does it mean to live with eyes wide open?

It means to have a full view of the banquet life places before us. To feast on the banquet, we must release our narrow ways of thinking and our judgemental and self-negating and world-negating attitudes.

It is our choice to walk within the narrow view made visible with our blinders. It is a familiar path, worn smooth by our plodding. We know every twist and curve along its course. Often times, the journey is boring,depressing and devoid of energy, but it is "safe." Its choice is a living death.

However, if we choose to rip off the blinders of our narrow thoughts, we will see the luscious panorama of life's abundance. This path requires trust in the Divine. In spite of our fears, this path also requires action. But, living life with eyes wide open brings fresh air, sunshine, adventure, joy and fulfillment and, when its your time to leave the planet, you will know you truly lived.

FEAR

Recently, a friend asked me, "Are you ever afraid?"

My immediate answer was, "No."

What I meant by that statement is that fear does not run or control my life. Certainly, being human, I have the occasional niggling fears about my health or my finances. But, through years of practice, my next thought is that the Universe always supplies my needs, not my wants, and all I really need is food, clothing and shelter. The second thought restores my internal peace.

For many years, I have practiced two principles:

- I turn my will and my life over to the care of the Higher Power of my understanding.

- I seek through prayer and meditation to improve my conscious contact with that Power, or God, and I pray only for the knowledge of God's will for me and the power to carry it out.

For me, if I practice these principles to the best of my ability, there is an inherent promise that I will be taken care of, and I will be given the power necessary to do my Higher Source's will.

I have a daily choice. However, when I work to align my will with the Divine will, I am peaceful, free of fear and things just seem to turn out better.

COUNTRY

Old barns,
Do you ever wonder what they've seen?
Sweating men,
Broke-down tractors,
Women calling, "Supper,"
Kittens,
Children playing,
Chickens and eggs,
Hay,
Horses bedded,
Cows milked,
Colts born,
Calving,
All and more,
I suspect.

LOG CABIN

Saw log cabin,
Built with Tinker Toys,
Lived in real one,
In Alaska,
Hauled water,
For drinking and bathing,
Outhouse,
Wood stove for heat,
Summers, garden flourished,
Falls, picked wild blueberries and cranberries,
Watched for bears,
They like berries too.
Life,
Simple,
Peaceful and
Content

SUNDAY MORNING

Passed old church with steeple,
Remembered Sundays with Grandmother Ollie,
She all powdered and smelling good,
Me in my best dress,
Singing those old gospel songs,
Her country twang,
My young voice,
All was right with the world.

SEA GIFTS

Anne Morrow Lindberg,
Thank you for your Gifts from the Sea.
I came to find my own, and
They were everywhere,
For seeing eyes and
Listening ears.

CAROLINA VACATION

I thought I came to rest.
I did, some.
Actually, I came to reclaim my soul,
From life's distractions and illusions.

Little did I know
The words would come so easily.
Maybe, I should have come sooner?
No.
Everything has its own time.

FREEDOM

I sink into the silence,
Like a diver descending to the ocean's floor.
I listen.
Words come.

As I swim the silent expanse,
I discover the nooks and crannies of the universe and my soul.
Within the watery depths of the primal mother,
I am birthed into freedom.

BEACH WALKS

Mysterious shards,
Of all geometry,
Tumbled smooth,
Striped,
Swirled,
Variegated

From whence came you?
What story yours,
Adventures from the deep or
Silent reveries?
Surrender please,
To this listening heart.

BLUE SHIRT

You,
With the blue shirt and rolled-up jeans,
I'm watching.
You cast your line with the rhythm of the sea,
As it travels to your naked feet.
In and out, cast you,
Without perturbation at an empty line.
Your purpose is in the casting
And in your silent communion with the deep.

BEACH WINGS

Flying pelican chorus lines,
Cardinal couple comes to call,
Bread crumbs eaten,
Seagulls paranoid glances,
As beaks grip food,
Birds soaring,
Flying social games,
Perches everywhere

FROM SLUMBER

Senses awaken,
Light beams,
Waves crash,
Birds conversate

SOLITUDE'S RHYTHMS

Awaken to ocean's beat,
Mornings writing,
Afternoons reading,
Rocking,
Resting,
Dinners out,
Frank crooning,
Evening beach walks,
Ocean lullabies

THE SEA

Awakens me,
Soothes me,
Embraces me,
An ancient lover comes to call,
The oceanic womb


Addendum: I relish silence and solitude. By removing myself from the chatter of the world and its illusions, I abide in my center and commune with the Divine. The ocean is the primal mother of life on this planet. Her rhythms soothe my soul and restore my energy.

NORTH CAROLINA BEACH

Arrival,
Ocean greets me.
"Welcome back."
Birds aflutter
Over balcony crumbs,
Long, hot bath,
Yoga stretches,
Seaside serenade,
Bed more comfy than my rumble seat


Addendum: On this trip, for speed and economy, I slept in the back seat of my vehicle.

SILENCE

Driving,
Silence,
Words drop like rain,
Cosmic downloading,
Juke and drive,
When the muse sings,
Listen.