We are made, the scriptures of all religions assure us, in the image of God. Nothing can change that original goodness. Whatever mistakes we have made in the past, whatever problems we may have in the present, in every one of us this ‘uncreated spark in the soul’ remains untouched, ever pure, ever perfect. Even if we try with all our might to douse or hide it, it is always ready to set our personality ablaze with light.
Eknath Easwaran, Original Goodness
Some people think that it always takes time
for the mind to arrive in the space of silence.
How about simply dropping this idea,
simply feeling how you are sitting right now,
in contact with the ground and thus with the earth
in this earth contact that knows neither here nor there.
Simply letting yourself feel how you are sitting right now
in contact with the space above your head and thus with the sky
in this sky contact which knows neither yesterday not today.
Silvia Ostertag, It Takes No Time [extract]
Do the best you can until you know better.
Then when you know better
do better.
Maya Angelou
A new month begins….
We are daily forced to choose between depression and anxiety. Depression results from the wounding of the individuation imperative; anxiety results from moving forward into the unknown.
That path of anxiety is necessary because therein lies the hope of the person to more nearly become an individual. My analyst once said to me, “You must make your fears your agenda.” When we do take on that agenda, for all the anxiety engendered, we feel better because we know we are living in ‘bonne foi’ [good faith] with ourselves.
Courage is not the absence of fear. It is the perception that some things are more important to us than what we fear.
James Hollis, Jungian Analyst, Swamplands of the Soul: New Life in Dismal Places
The mysteries of time and the calendar: a Leap Year “extra” day
As time goes on, you’ll understand. What lasts, lasts; what doesn’t, doesn’t.
Time solves most things. And what time can’t solve, you have to solve yourself.
Haruki Murakami
You must decide for yourself to whom and when you give access to your interior life. For years you have permitted others to walk in and out of your life according to their needs and desires. Thus you were no longer master in your own house, and you felt increasingly used. So, too, you quickly became tired, irritated, angry, and resentful.
Think of a medieval castle surrounded by a moat. The drawbridge is the only access to the interior of the castle. The lord of the castle must have the power to decide when to draw the bridge and when to let it down. Without such power, he can become the victim of enemies, strangers, and wanderers. He will never feel at peace in his own castle.
It is important for you to control your own drawbridge. There must be times when you keep your bridge drawn and have the opportunity to be alone or only with those to whom you feel close. Never allow yourself to become public property, where anyone can walk in and out at will. You might think that you are being generous in giving access to anyone who wants to enter or leave, but you will soon find yourself losing your soul.
Henri Nouwen, The Inner Voice of Love
Mindfulbalance 