October’s Focus: Accept What Is

In one sense, accepting what is, is a given.  What is–the reality of the moment–can’t be otherwise, so why fight it?  But acceptance doesn’t mean resignation.  It’s also an invitation to dig deeper.  That’s where we strike gold.  Beneath appearances lies a more nuanced level of reality.  It’s like looking at someone’s face and seeing the story behind it.  Everything is precious once we know how to look.

Practice: Open Your Mind

The suggested practice for September from the One Spirit Book of Days:

Were you allergic to math or science in school?  Are you a computer geek who hates to read?  Deliberately push your brain out of its cozy nest.  Enroll in a math-for-poets course, or Shakespeare for engineers.  Read something by an expert who writes accessibly on the subject you sidestepped in school.  Seek out conversations with knowledgeable people and hang on their words.  Let yourself be transported by others’ passions.

Trails of Discovery

From any new field of knowledge, there are by-ways branching out in all directions, leading to thrilling discoveries.  If you’re pursuing an interest in, say, local history, you might get sidetracked by events on the national scale; if you’re intrigued by astronomy, you might enlarge your perspective on the topic by learning about the mythic figures who lend their names to the constellations or planets, such as Pegasus or Jupiter.  All knowledge, ultimately, is interconnected.  Illuminate your life by tracing some of the threads.

Set Your Intention for September

Latest words of wisdom from the One Spirit Book of Days:

I’m committed to lifelong learning.  I continually open myself to new ideas.  I make a point of informing myself on all sides of an issue.

Octupus’s Garden

Sea creatures include some of the strangest species in nature:  think of the seahorse, the octopus, the starfish.  Face to face encounters with such animals give us food for thought about life itself.  An aquarium usually has subdued lighting, making it a perfect setting for meditation as you contemplate unfamiliar life-forms.  As a brave next step, consider the idea of learning to snorkel or dive–in a realm far from everyday routines.

September Focus–Expand Your Horizons

It’s never been easier to be well-informed, with so many learning opportunities, on- and off-line, a lot of them free.  The vast university of cyberspace offers the possibility of pursuing nearly any subject, no matter how obscure.  Just searching an entry on an encyclopedia website can send you down an electronic trail crossing centuries and cultures.  Unloose your curiosity and let it roam.

August–Final Thoughts

I enjoyed the focus for this month of Slowing Down.  I see families already gearing up with the start of school, fall activities, and, of course, Football season (Go Packers!!)  How many of us fit in the time to relax, slow down and be?  How many tried to pack in as much as we could as soon as the “Oh my goodness, summer is almost over” panic?  Did you do a mix of both?  As we move into Labor Day weekend, examine what your plans are.  Look to see how much or how little activity you have in store for yourself.  Enjoy!

Project: The Joy of Anticipation

“I want it all, and I want it now” is the cultural mantra.  Funny, because research shows that anticipating something is more gratifying to us than actually having it.  Give yourself things to look forward to:  plan a party, book a ski trip, buy a lottery ticket, order seats for the play that’s generating a lot of advance buzz.  Wallow in the exquisite pleasure of waiting.

Practice: Stretch Time

Great daily habit suggested by the One Spirit Book of Days:

Nobody’s day is long enough.  So how can you make more time for yourself?  Spend 20-30 minutes daily sitting quietly, doing nothing.  Turn off all media.  At first you’ll probably be restless, antsy.  Observe your state of mind.  Are you anxious, impatient, or bored?  As the days go by and you continue the practice, watch how your body and mind adjust to the calm quiet.  See if time doesn’t magically attenuate.

Kitchen Oasis

Kitchens often bustle with action but if you’re cooking alone, use slow, careful work as a mindful meditation.  Appreciate the flavorsome smells and natural textures.  Utilize good quality tools; sharpen your knives when they need it.  Avoid electric aids and relish the efficiency of old-fashioned chopping, stirring, and whisking.  Do the dishes by hand, too, instead of resorting to the dishwasher.  Take pride in your kitchen skills:  relish this most wholesome and vital of household activities.