September 22, 2008

UNTITLED UNKNOWN, CHANGE

What a time in the world? Did you ever think that Morgan and Stanley would have to join to stay around? Did you ever think that Fannie Mae would need to be bailed out? How much has the happenings on Wall Street really affected your life? Were you already struggling to survive or were you already striving toward your ever evolving enlightenment? And the election? In these days and times, in case you are feeling some fears and/or some sadness as I have been experiencing these past two weeks, you're not alone. Change can feel pretty scary, the entering into the world of the unknown. What is going to happen next? Who knows? Three weeks ago I interviewed a wonderful professional organizer. We haven't been able to reconnect and we had no idea of the changes that would be coming over these next weeks. At some point soon I look forward to being able to share her inspiring words. In the mean time, I rely on my favorite poet and sage to lend a word for the week:

AUTHENTICALLY WANDERING
by Mark Nepo

So often, I hear two responses to the mystery of life. One is a
declaration of how awful a world this is and how overwhelming the burden
is of what needs to be righted. The other is a declaration of how
enlightenment and perfection are possible if we only work hard enough.
The mood of these responses is either one of despair and apathy (What
difference could I make?) or one of pushing for a romantic ideal
(Imagine a world where children never cry). The lifestyle engendered by
these responses is either a life of isolation and endurance or one of
missionary zeal to change the world en route to some form of Heaven.

Though I’ve spent time lost in each, I find both responses
insufficient. In declaring how awful a world this is, we escape by
retreating from life through resignation (It’s all too much to bear).
In declaring that perfection is possible, we escape by wanting to
transcend out of the life at hand by hiding in the future (My hope is in
tomorrow). Either way, the goal is to leave and bypass the work of being
here.

It is interesting to compare Western and Eastern views. While the
Western view is that life can be improved and, therefore, it is our
responsibility to control and shape the behavior of others in order to
make the world a better place, the Eastern view is that life cannot be
improved upon, only experienced. Life was complete before you or I
arrived and will be complete when we pass.

Herein lies the paradox of being human. While we cannot eliminate
hunger, we can feed each other. While we cannot eliminate pain, we can
hold each other. While we can’t improve upon the nature of reality, we
can make things better for each other while we’re here.

In light of this, falling to either the pessimistic or romantic side of
this paradox is a distraction from being here and helping each other
while we can. In truth, I have more sympathy for those clouded with
despair. For this romance with the ideal in the face of true suffering
is more than annoying. It can be dangerous; leaving others in jeopardy
while the state of things as they are is being denied.

The challenge is to feel the pain in being human and not escape down
the rabbit hole into despair, but to stay here and hold each other up in
the mystery. Likewise, the other side of the challenge is to not escape
the other way, into striving for a perfect world, always out of reach,
whose dream is its own addictive sedative.

This is why I am moved by the courage of the Bodhisattva who, on the
threshold of enlightenment, refuses to cross over; committing to wait
till others can come and join. Though this, too, is a dream of Heaven,
what moves me is a sense that the Bodhisattva knows that the others will
never come. And so, in essence, he or she embraces an enlightened life
on earth. Not shaping or purifying others, but wandering authentically
among the living.
*****************************************
These reflections are excerpts from several books, including a new book
of poems, Surviving Has Made Me Crazy, CavanKerry Press, and a new book
of spiritual non-fiction, Facing the Lion, Being the Lion: Inner Courage
and Where It Lives, Red Wheel/Conari Press. For more info, please visit
www.MarkNepo.com.


SAMARRA AM MANAGEMENT
Inspiring & Empowering Your Financial Goddess
October 29, 2008, 6pm-8pm
243 W. 30th Street between 7th & 8th
$30.00
Call 718-350-6095 to register today.
Start your holiday season aligned. Address your finances emotionally, spirtually and practically with me and Carol L. Bauchman, CPA for over 19 years.

If you missed last week's live interview on GBN Talk Radio, you can listen at:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/GBN/2008/09/17/Bring-Your-Family-Back-to-the-Table-1
Topic: Bring Your Family Back to the Table
This show is about food and finances. Meal time and the teaching of fiscal responsibility are things that our society has moved away from. Atlanta-based Lisa Patterson of Creative Menus, and East Orange, NJ-based Samarra Mbenga of Emotional Money will be featured on this call. In this age of technology and fast-paced living they both are inviting people to stop, come together and communicate.



UPCOMING EVENTS
TURN ON TO LIFE
Integrity Day
You will be amazed at how much you can accomplish in four hours --
and how much fun you can have doing it -- when you have an
enthusiastic support group cheering you on.
September 23, 2008 (Tuesday), 9 AM ET
September 26, 2008 (Friday), 10 AM ET
September 30, 2008 (Tuesday), 12 PM (noon) ET

To register for one of these dates, visit:
http://www.turnontolife.com/integrity_schedule.html

I look forward to "seeing" you at an Integrity Day soon! Get ready
to HAVE FUN and GET STUFF DONE!






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