Tuesday, May 2, 2017

Practice and Non-Practice

Finding Our Way

Every single choice we make, no matter how small, is the ground where who we are meets what is in the world. And the fruits of that essential relationship—the intimate, fertile conversation between our own heart's wisdom and the way the world has emerged before us—becomes a lifelong practice of deep and sacred listening for the next right thing we are required to do. We make the only choice that feels authentic and honest, necessary and true in that moment.”
Wayne Muller

Spiritual practice is many things—it involves, first and foremost, listening. That is the meditation and/or prayer part. But if one gets up off the mat or off their knees, and goes about their life without that meditation and prayer expanding toward kindness and right-action in the world, there is little benefit. Spiritual practice is a potent way of changing the one who is practicing, but if one simply meditates/prays without the practice informing their actions, they are reaping few of the benefits.

In fact, the majority of spiritual practice is what we do when we are not meditating and/or praying. How do we think and feel about others; about the world and our place in it? Are we expanding or contracting? Do we approach all of life with an open heart and an open mind, or are there still certain areas, certain subjects, certain types of people who are simply non-starters for us? Where does our compassion and understanding meet a wall of resistance? That's the sweet spot—the ah-ha moment. That spot is where the real work of spiritual practice begins. Every choice we make reflects where we are on our journey—and after all, it is the journey that matters, and not the destination.

                                                       In the Spirit,
                                                           Jane




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