Sorrow was an inflection point. Every one of us comes to such points—if we’re lucky. Is this turn not true today of the collective body we call humanity?
The courage to stay present. That really is what is being asked of us now as humans; perhaps more than ever. And allowing all of the present to be experienced; the joy and the sorrow, the pain of all the suffering, and the deep pleasure of seeing people alive and whole; and always, always, loving the beauty of the natural world. We have to allow ourselves to feel, hear, and see it all; to take it all in; in all its fullness. To hide and deny is such a waste of time and brings no true respite. To join with others is also crucial to our well being as we all face the truth of our present moment together as a species. I've been thinking it's more about surrender to what is that is the key, and have not considered the role of courage, but it really does take courage to surrender to the truth, and to continue to remind oneself over and over to find that courage in the face of feeling too overwhelmed by it all. From Mark Nepo: "We keep looking for a home, though each of us is a home. And no matter where we run, we land before each other thoroughly exposed. This is the purpose of gravity; to wear us down until we realize we are each other. Though we think we're alone, we all meet here. And though we start out trying to climb over each other, we end up asking to be held. Some of us just take longer to land here than others. Once worn of our pretense, it's hard to tolerate arrogance. Once humbled, it's hard to tolerate a litany of "me". Once burning off the atmosphere of self-interest, there's a tenderness that never goes away. This tenderness is like sonar by which we sense the interior of life. This tenderness is the impulse that frees us. Anything is possible when we let the heart be our skin. The point is to feel whatever comes and not conclude it out of its aliveness. The unnerving blessing of being alive, is that it can change us forever. I keep discovering that everyone is magnificent, lovable, and flawed." That takes courage: to see everyone that way.
Thank you, as always, for sharing your thoughtful reflections--and for patience in my response. I have "returned" from retreat with Cynthia Bourgeault and can think of no better entry than this comment from you beginning with: "The courage to stay present. That really is what is being asked. . . ." Yes.
You write: "We have to allow ourselves to feel, hear, and see it all; to take it all in; in all its fullness," and I would add here: to know that we have the capacity to "take it all in." And we have the capacity to feel; there is a wisdom within that will care for us when feeling feels like it's too much. This wisdom will hold us with tenderness and see us through, changed.
To be present and to allow feeling (distinct from emotionality) is to surrender self-interest. Is it not? And in that surrender, we come to this exquisite tenderness "that never goes away . . . by which we sense the interior of life. This tenderness is the impulse that frees us."
We come to a deeper order of human being when "we let our heart be our skin." This deeper order of being lights up with immediacy "the unnerving blessing of being alive."
Dear Renee, a bit like the White Rabbit, I am late, late for a very important date! Like everything this week it is taking me time to do things this week and so I arrive in a slightly stunned way feeling as though I've woken from a deep sleep. I hope that you had a restorative retreat and I'll be there at the next stop. Louise x
I understand "late, late for a very important date!" At least you showed up for the date. I seem to have fallen completely off the wagon en route! 🤔😉
In all seriousness, I read your words that the week took you by surprise and . . . woke you from a deep sleep. May it do so with kindness and lend a little breathing room for integration.
“Light pours through windows that look out across eons, and I have the sense we are being fed from one common hope across all time.”
This line Renée... perhaps, likely even, I have missed the essential in your words, words that take me time to digest and re formulate but here I see... I feel with each atom within the me of this beautiful world, the truth we all need to see.
“One common hope across all time...” this is will be an I finite need in us all forever, that you have been collecting and gathering on your journey, one that you are now sharing with us... thank you for that light.
With love and wishes for safe final days of your journey... Susie x
Thank you, as always, for sharing your reflections. "One common hope across all time" is a hope that lives within. It's there, always. And it's there FOR us at this time. It is hope not tied to outcome but to a fundamental goodness that pervades the universe. We come to this hope in any moment through feeling. Some would say we MUST call it up, now more than ever; that hope is a "substance" within that, when we call it up, nurtures the world.
It's good to be back after retreat and to come to your always thoughtful and loving reflections, Susie. Thank you, as always.
The courage to stay present. That really is what is being asked of us now as humans; perhaps more than ever. And allowing all of the present to be experienced; the joy and the sorrow, the pain of all the suffering, and the deep pleasure of seeing people alive and whole; and always, always, loving the beauty of the natural world. We have to allow ourselves to feel, hear, and see it all; to take it all in; in all its fullness. To hide and deny is such a waste of time and brings no true respite. To join with others is also crucial to our well being as we all face the truth of our present moment together as a species. I've been thinking it's more about surrender to what is that is the key, and have not considered the role of courage, but it really does take courage to surrender to the truth, and to continue to remind oneself over and over to find that courage in the face of feeling too overwhelmed by it all. From Mark Nepo: "We keep looking for a home, though each of us is a home. And no matter where we run, we land before each other thoroughly exposed. This is the purpose of gravity; to wear us down until we realize we are each other. Though we think we're alone, we all meet here. And though we start out trying to climb over each other, we end up asking to be held. Some of us just take longer to land here than others. Once worn of our pretense, it's hard to tolerate arrogance. Once humbled, it's hard to tolerate a litany of "me". Once burning off the atmosphere of self-interest, there's a tenderness that never goes away. This tenderness is like sonar by which we sense the interior of life. This tenderness is the impulse that frees us. Anything is possible when we let the heart be our skin. The point is to feel whatever comes and not conclude it out of its aliveness. The unnerving blessing of being alive, is that it can change us forever. I keep discovering that everyone is magnificent, lovable, and flawed." That takes courage: to see everyone that way.
“I keep discovering that everyone is magnificent, lovable, and flawed." That takes courage: to see everyone that way.”
My heart and soul are warmed to read these words. 🙏🏽
Susie,
Mine, too. Thank you for sharing.
Dear Ed,
Thank you, as always, for sharing your thoughtful reflections--and for patience in my response. I have "returned" from retreat with Cynthia Bourgeault and can think of no better entry than this comment from you beginning with: "The courage to stay present. That really is what is being asked. . . ." Yes.
You write: "We have to allow ourselves to feel, hear, and see it all; to take it all in; in all its fullness," and I would add here: to know that we have the capacity to "take it all in." And we have the capacity to feel; there is a wisdom within that will care for us when feeling feels like it's too much. This wisdom will hold us with tenderness and see us through, changed.
To be present and to allow feeling (distinct from emotionality) is to surrender self-interest. Is it not? And in that surrender, we come to this exquisite tenderness "that never goes away . . . by which we sense the interior of life. This tenderness is the impulse that frees us."
We come to a deeper order of human being when "we let our heart be our skin." This deeper order of being lights up with immediacy "the unnerving blessing of being alive."
Thank you, Ed.
With love,
Renée
Dear Renee, a bit like the White Rabbit, I am late, late for a very important date! Like everything this week it is taking me time to do things this week and so I arrive in a slightly stunned way feeling as though I've woken from a deep sleep. I hope that you had a restorative retreat and I'll be there at the next stop. Louise x
Louise,
I understand "late, late for a very important date!" At least you showed up for the date. I seem to have fallen completely off the wagon en route! 🤔😉
In all seriousness, I read your words that the week took you by surprise and . . . woke you from a deep sleep. May it do so with kindness and lend a little breathing room for integration.
With love,
Renée
“Light pours through windows that look out across eons, and I have the sense we are being fed from one common hope across all time.”
This line Renée... perhaps, likely even, I have missed the essential in your words, words that take me time to digest and re formulate but here I see... I feel with each atom within the me of this beautiful world, the truth we all need to see.
“One common hope across all time...” this is will be an I finite need in us all forever, that you have been collecting and gathering on your journey, one that you are now sharing with us... thank you for that light.
With love and wishes for safe final days of your journey... Susie x
Dear Susie,
Thank you, as always, for sharing your reflections. "One common hope across all time" is a hope that lives within. It's there, always. And it's there FOR us at this time. It is hope not tied to outcome but to a fundamental goodness that pervades the universe. We come to this hope in any moment through feeling. Some would say we MUST call it up, now more than ever; that hope is a "substance" within that, when we call it up, nurtures the world.
It's good to be back after retreat and to come to your always thoughtful and loving reflections, Susie. Thank you, as always.
With love,
Renée