Inspirations: Archives

Yesterday I carried a small blue bowl full of scented oil across the lawn. I held it lightly, mindfully, noting each step, attentive to not spilling. A thought darted through my mind, “Too bad you don’t carry your heart this carefully.” Another zinged in close behind, “Wouldn’t life be lovelier if you paid this much absorbed attention to every moment.” “Ahhhh yes, small blue bowl, I agree. How do you suggest I do that?” “Practice.” “Oh that. I’m not that disciplined/good/attentive/willing/careful.” “If it made you more joyful, would you? If you could remain mindful long enough to carry me lovingly across that great green stretch of grass, might you not Practice holding what delights your heart, even half that long? Do you not wish to become the skillful artisan of your days?” “I do! I do! But…” “The open heart of a practicing Artisan strews beauty along every path it walks. It is not perfect beauty, neither is the Artisan, but she has chosen to show up, to intend, to choose time and time again to stand worthy in her Practicing. Can you not choose the same?” “I’ll try.” “Personally, I don’t care for ‘trying.’ It arouses suffering. We are half-hearted from fear when we only try. Our imagination savors all that could happen from a full-out effort. Trying leaves ashy tastes on the tongue. No, I want you to commit. Failure is fine, for it’s full-hearted. Fall, get up, fall again. Be bruised, and honor those bruises of your commitment.” “No one ever told me they found me more powerful because I was a huge failure.” “That’s because all they were doing was trying.” Asana: Visvamitrasana. Visvamitra was the name of a man who through many failures finally became exactly who and what he wanted to be, a great… Read more »