The Practice Before The Practice

9/7/2023

The title of Mark Nepo's book The Endless Practice: Becoming Who You Were Born To Be is like a mirror for me to see the reflection of the spiritual journey of my life. We are pilgrims of light to discover the purpose of life. It's a long journey. It requires the practice of knowing where I'm going and the practice of remaining awake, alert and steadfast as I'm walking on the path. As the author says "I need to meet life head-on and heart-on" and "reveal the gift." It took time for me to figure out the purpose of my life. Why am I here? I had read about it by reading spiritual books and talking with advanced spiritual seekers and teachers. I sincerely walked on the path head-on and heart-on. I took two steps forward on the the path of spirituality and one step backward. As I had seen the glimmers of light I continued my journey. The light of my faith never got extinguished. Patience and perseverance, practicing meditation, and seeing the light coming from within have been very helpful to me in the pilgrimage of my life.
Namaste!

2 Comments

Debbie Podwika

9/9/2023 01:15:44 pm

I really like the OP and your comments! I agree we are a part of the spirit of this world/planet and each of us has a gift which is given to us to play a role in this world. I also agree it can be difficult figuring out what that gift and role is and being comfortable with it and gaining confidence as we begin to realize and share that gift with the world. I also believe we may have more than one gift in life or we may realize we have another gift as we journey on life's path. Some of the things that happens to us in life may allow us to develop new gifts to share with others. We do have to experience quite a bit of life (some more than others) to realize our gift and become confident in sharing it. We also do have to have a really good support system which can help question things in life and give us ethe freedom and time to develop our gifts.

Therese M Griffin link

9/9/2023 02:41:07 pm

A spiritual woman told me years ago, "If its messy God is in the mist." Then I heard if you want to keep the goodness you have to give it away. Neither makes any sense.

That was me, kept making poor decisions 'over and over again, and expecting different results” (Albert Einstein). I was 29 years old when I started to work on where do I belong? Some family members showered me with negativity with no affirmations or good thoughts. Yet, if I look at my years of 18 to 29 - I was provided with supporters and cheerleaders. Yet, I didn't understand why a stranger in the factory would tell me to keep up your resume that I didn’t even know the meaning of resume. In 1965, that wasn't a common word as today.

She was a Black woman about 20 years older than me. She kept asking the same question. I started saving workshops, conferences, taking no credits classes at Roosevelt University and Catholic Interstate to understand alcoholism/drugs by saving all my certificates. I became a Union Leader. By the time 1982 came along, I was able to apply and develop a portfolio with GSU Credits by Live Experiences. I had 49 credits from local community colleges. My documentation gave me 65 credits through GSU program. And I needed 16 more credits from GSU to receive my BA degree. That's how I met Dr. JP Dave'. Now close to 40 years later, I am a rich woman. I don't call myself negative names like 'What do you expect? I'm nothin' but a dummy, loser, factory worker, etc.

Today, I don't have to be a bully because of low self-esteem. I can roll with the good or less productive days without putting myself or others down. I am God's beloved daughter. If there's a hick-up, I laugh saying, "If this is the worst thing that happens to me today - I am blessed. I am responsible to have the hand of reaching out to others as others reached out to me to become who I am. I’ve earned titles in the workplace that I would have never expected as UFCW Labor Union 247-P President and Financial Secretary, Director of Joliet Job Corps, Assistant Maintenance Superintendent at Joliet Public Housing, AZ Licensed Addiction Counselor, AZ Prison Counselor III over other counselors, and Chaplain Trauma Hospital and in jails/prisons. I do have a Playful Creator.

Mindfulness

The Practice Before The Practice

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