In Hardship, Choose Bewilderment Over Cleverness

7/26/2024

Based on the article by Toko-Pa-Turner, below is my reflection:
I love the wise Statement of Rumi: "Sell your cleverness and buy bewilderment". We are on a journey and we need to keep our mind and heart open to see the bewilderment that unfolds spontaneously without preconceived notions. A mind free from the bondage of preconceived notions shines and helps us see the light. When I face a fog of confusion as I move on the path of life, I face it with clarity, calmness and courage. When I bear witness to what is happening in my life, I do not get attached to and bound by my desires and wishes, by ups and downs in my life.
It is very difficult for me to go through pain of several losses of people in my long life. Bearing witness to such losses in my life has been very helpful to me. Witnessing and accepting what is happening in my life has helped me to remain grounded and centered.
Practicing mindfulness with loving kindness, patience and perseverance has been very helpful to me after a long exile.
Namaste!

4 Comments

Nina Kandel

8/3/2024 09:42:16 am

Very beautifully explained. Thank you for sharing 🙏

Elaine

8/3/2024 01:17:09 pm

Hello Dr DAVE’. You reply is what I agree with as well, and have an experienced in my life. Seeking challenging experiences with bewilderment and open heart and mind help to flow with the process and the journey.

My father passing away at age 42 and I was nine years old with my brother seven years, We learned and understood at a very early age, the volatility of life, and the love of people in it. This influences everything about the rest of life based on this principle.

I am grateful for everyone and everything. You’re teaching in our stress management program at Goverñrs State University reinforced this and taught me new vocabulary as to how to express it. For that I am forever

Namaste

Elaine Gotfryd Noonan

Debbie Podwika

8/3/2024 02:26:29 pm

I agree that we should authentically feel our feelings whether they are good or bad and take the time no matter how much it is for the individual to feel them. We should not be rushed by others or our perception of what others want us to do especially when it has to do with grief or some type of loss. We need to be careful not to listen to others and then also ourselves not try to tell people to just be positive or look on the bright side etc. This is why I liked Barbara Ehrenreich's book bright-sided: how the relentless promotion of positive thinking has undermined America. While it may be good intentions, and something we can say when we just don't know how to help someone, maybe it's just best to let them feel that way for a while. Tell them that you're there for them but only say that if you mean it. In this world lately people get labeled as being a drama queen, I guess you can have Kings too haha, if you happen to be down or the lovely phrase Debbie Downer right ha. They always want people to listen to them when they're down but they're not willing to be there for the other person to reciprocate and that is part of the issue that we have today in society, people are afraid to talk real feelings to each other and that wasn't the case in the past. That's what family and true friendship was about from what I recall. I think this is why we're seeing a big uptick in depression and suicide and we need to really work on this. Everybody wants a miracle pill and to not feel bad, not realizing that real growth can come from going through and coming out the other side stronger.

Therese M Griffin link

8/3/2024 03:51:10 pm

As Rumi puts it, “Sell your cleverness and buy bewilderment.” Because in cleverness you rely on known ways of making the world, in bewilderment a new vision always, eventually, emerges.

My friend Gloria passed away this morning. She was at the low-end financially, Before receiving Social Security - she fished daily for one fish to eat where we live. And continue to catch one fish per day for approximately 18 months. A friend Kay asked me if I knew anyone that would accept a $2500 donation to purchased item for Native American Children who had nothing. Can't spend anything on adults. Yes, I know a Native Women with children program of addiction recovery. Gloria was happy that I said yes. Even though we were not close friends, she trusted me. Amazingly, she handed me an envelope to count 25 - 100-dollar bill to equal $2,500 that took her 20 years to save. Gloria worked at the Tanque Verde Swamp.in Tucson. We in our community would give her items to sell. Then, she would look for blankets and other items the Native could use to stay warm. She had a special envelope for each $10 until it equaled $100. All the bills were brand new.

This morning her neighbor Kay contacted me, and she left a statue of St. Francis, and I would know what to do with it. Gloria made in the pottering group of St. Francis of Xavier. San Xavier del Bac Mission is an active Roman Catholic Parish in the Diocese of Tucson set within the Tohono O'odaham Nation ministering to Native Americans. Now, I need to find St. Francis of Xavier to home. Gloria told Kay; Therese will know what to do. Gloria has more faith in me than I do. God will provide.

Mindfulness

In Hardship, Choose Bewilderment Over Cleverness

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