The Mundane Way

“The situations we struggle with that are the most difficult for us are also the ones in which we need mindfulness the most.” Jon Kabat-Zinn As Eknath Easwaran says frequently in his talks, pain is necessary for growth. In times of difficulty or uncertainty, spiritual practice becomes a lifeline, and if I allow challenging circumstances to drive me deeper into my practice, rather than away from it, I will be making the most of my pain. Someone told me recently something to the effect that it is not getting an answer that does me good but seeking an answer. The desire and the search are what shape my thoughts, my character, my life. This does not mean I need to spend a long time struggling with, pondering or grasping for a solution to a particular problem. It means I am to remain open, curious, unattached, willing to take the next step in the process but equally willing to find the path blocked and to turn in another direction. As one person, describing their way of discerning G

As much as I benefit from having a routine, I seem to benefit just as much from having occasional breaks from the routine. Stepping away from my daily and weekly rounds offers perspective, giving me a broader view of my path and where I might be headed. Without this vantage, it would be extremely difficult to reflect meaningfully on my life and make the needed adjustments.

“...anything beyond need tends to become burdensome. If you have it, you have to take care of it!” Peace Pilgrim Simplicity of living is a worthy goal, but how does one already loaded down with possessions go about it? Perhaps it’s different for each person. Some may be able to rid themselves of most of their stuff without much trouble. Others may need to unburden themselves gradually. What comes to me as I consider Peace Pilgrim’s statement is that the first step may be simply to observe for myself the truth of what she says. Do I see how some of my unnecessary possessions have become a burden, either because of the upkeep they require, the money I spend to hold onto them, or the energy I use fussing over them when they break? In what other ways do my possessions become a burden? How do they weigh me down or cause me trouble that could be avoided if I didn’t have them? What would I stand to gain by giving them up?