The Path Forward is not Linear

Hari Om

Sometimes we find ourselves feeling the quick comeuppance of old feelings, emotions, and wounds emerging. Usually, this is not as surprising in it’s reality as it feels in the moment because these things are often slowly building up over time. Often, it is a result of bypassing feelings and uncomfortable situations under the guise of thinking that is what it is to ‘let it go’. Letting it go is not a bypass. We must first acknowledge the feeling, sit with it for a moment, and accommodate what is being given to us, and release our attachment to continuing to think the thoughts that hold us to the feeling. This is far different from bypassing.

Luckily for us, the old things will always come back. Always. And when they do, we have another chance to step into the place of presence with a slew of new tools we have been practicing in our daily mindfulness work! Use them.

Go to the breath.

Go to the body.

Ask the feelings questions of curiosity not defensive dismissiveness.

Listen to what you hear.

Act accordingly.

This is how we understand that understanding itself is a name of love. It is what love requires of me most in the moments I feel misunderstood.

Today we sit with bell hooks Appalachian Elegy 23, once again. We are going to work with this poem for the rest of the week, I believe.

Appalachian Elegy 23
bell hooks

bring Buddha
to rest home
in Kentucky hills
that outside each window
a light may shine
not a guilt teaching tradition
be balanced
know loving kindness
end suffering
rejoice in the oneness of life
then let go
carry nothing on your back
travel empty
as you climb steep mountain paths

Find the teaching today that you were not present for yesterday.

All In Love,

Michael

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