Your writings have been particularly helpful for me this week after spending much of the past weekend wondering how to navigate numerous relationships with both close friends and family. There was a very real part of me that simply didn’t know how I could continue to show up in many of those relationships and yet I knew in my heart I still loved these people and couldn’t imagine walking away from them. I had the profound sense that was not the answer yet I saw no way forward that didn’t require me to abandon a part of myself that felt like betrayal.
Thank you for providing me the hope I was praying for and directing me towards a path I was sure existed but could not find on my own. Reading your post today I thought of Marianne Edgar Budde’s beautiful book, “How We Learn to Be Brave. Decisive Moments in Life and Faith.” She, too, writes about the “go vs stay, leave vs root” question. I appreciate being reminded of the importance of building a spiritual ground on which we can stay true to ourselves and stay in community with those who see the world differently. 💞🕊️🙏🕊️💞
I am in my mid 80’s. I live in a retirement village in New Zealand. I love my little villa and I appreciate the support services available for us when we need them.
However, I don’t mix like most here. I don’t have the energy I once had so I only do the things that feel right to do. That is chair yoga led by a Swami from a local ashram and a group which cares for the earth here in the Village and advocates for change where necessary.
I live a contemplative life. I walk a lot.
I so value this opportunity of slowing down and having time to see my self and my world as we really are.
So I really connected with today’s meditation!! Thank you indeed
What I have been telling those who share with me their despair over current happenings is this - “be the change you want to see in the world.” I believe this is what you are saying here. We can be the best versions of ourselves despite what is happening around us - and thus change the world a little at a time.
Thank you, Cameron, for imaging a way forward not only to endure this desert thrust upon us but also how to grow (reimagining the world as the Ammas and Abbas of the desert) as witnesses of our faiths so as to not become stagnant, or worse, resigned but to carry resolutely light of justice and eventually peace.
Your words are very insightful. There are seasons in life where some are called into solitude to acquire and nurture inner stability. Much clarity can be found here that provides the clarity of an inner conversation with wisdom that brings clarity. There is room for this experience.
Today’s practice - build one small rule of life - just for today…this is breathing life into me this morning. Grateful for this manna in the overwhelm - just enough for today. 💚
We can turn to Divine Love and be quiet and listen and just breathe until we become aware we are held in love. And it is from that secure place of knowing we are loved that we can love others. We can look for the kindness of strangers and be the kind stranger that helps others, by treating each other with respect and common courtesy–for that is love, that is hope, that is humanity at its finest.
Your writings have been particularly helpful for me this week after spending much of the past weekend wondering how to navigate numerous relationships with both close friends and family. There was a very real part of me that simply didn’t know how I could continue to show up in many of those relationships and yet I knew in my heart I still loved these people and couldn’t imagine walking away from them. I had the profound sense that was not the answer yet I saw no way forward that didn’t require me to abandon a part of myself that felt like betrayal.
Thank you for providing me the hope I was praying for and directing me towards a path I was sure existed but could not find on my own. Reading your post today I thought of Marianne Edgar Budde’s beautiful book, “How We Learn to Be Brave. Decisive Moments in Life and Faith.” She, too, writes about the “go vs stay, leave vs root” question. I appreciate being reminded of the importance of building a spiritual ground on which we can stay true to ourselves and stay in community with those who see the world differently. 💞🕊️🙏🕊️💞
I am in my mid 80’s. I live in a retirement village in New Zealand. I love my little villa and I appreciate the support services available for us when we need them.
However, I don’t mix like most here. I don’t have the energy I once had so I only do the things that feel right to do. That is chair yoga led by a Swami from a local ashram and a group which cares for the earth here in the Village and advocates for change where necessary.
I live a contemplative life. I walk a lot.
I so value this opportunity of slowing down and having time to see my self and my world as we really are.
So I really connected with today’s meditation!! Thank you indeed
What I have been telling those who share with me their despair over current happenings is this - “be the change you want to see in the world.” I believe this is what you are saying here. We can be the best versions of ourselves despite what is happening around us - and thus change the world a little at a time.
“Make us people who can stay without surrendering what is sacred within us”. Thank you
Thank you, Cameron, for imaging a way forward not only to endure this desert thrust upon us but also how to grow (reimagining the world as the Ammas and Abbas of the desert) as witnesses of our faiths so as to not become stagnant, or worse, resigned but to carry resolutely light of justice and eventually peace.
Your words are very insightful. There are seasons in life where some are called into solitude to acquire and nurture inner stability. Much clarity can be found here that provides the clarity of an inner conversation with wisdom that brings clarity. There is room for this experience.
Today’s practice - build one small rule of life - just for today…this is breathing life into me this morning. Grateful for this manna in the overwhelm - just enough for today. 💚
We can turn to Divine Love and be quiet and listen and just breathe until we become aware we are held in love. And it is from that secure place of knowing we are loved that we can love others. We can look for the kindness of strangers and be the kind stranger that helps others, by treating each other with respect and common courtesy–for that is love, that is hope, that is humanity at its finest.
The desert elders have so much to offer us in these challenging and distressing times. Check out:
https://www.oasisofwisdom.org/ and the work of David G. R. Keller for more
The desert wasn’t escape. It was training. Benedict knew that too. This names the difference between stability and surrender beautifully.
“To build inner ground”...
“Stay... Awake... Rooted...” Love-shaped.
“The goal is freedom.”