Archive for October, 2018
Unknown
The known and the unknown exist side-by-side in our daily lives. We are familiar and comfortable with the known even when it is disagreeable and painful, because we know it. Conversely, we fear the unknown.
“People have a hard time letting go of their suffering – out of a fear of the unknown, they prefer the suffering that is familiar.” ~Thich Nhat Hanh
“The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown.” ~H.P. Lovecraft
Like all emotions, fear comes and goes as it darn well pleases. We have no control over this coming and going. Where we have power over fear of the unknown is in how we respond. We can choose ‘fear’ or ‘faith’.
“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” ~Corrie Ten Boom
Our sense of security encompasses a multitude of fears about the unknown; finances, health, love, jobs, home, family, freedom of expression, disasters, and death. Our degree of security can create an illusory complacency, leaving us unprepared to face the unknown.
“Faith and doubt both are needed – not as antagonists, but working side by side to take us around the unknown curve.” ~Lillian Smith
“There are things known and things unknown, and in between are the doors of perception.” ~Aldous Huxley
“We have to balance the lineality of the known universe with the non lineality of the unknown universe.” ~Carlos Castaneda
No other time in human history have we faced so many unknowns. Faith is the way through our fear.
“Peace is that state in which fear of any kind is unknown.” ~John Buchan
Wishing you all abundant peace!
Relaxing
Hope you are, too!
Blessings.
Silence
Silence has many applications. To ’cause to be silent’; to ‘muzzle or gag’; ‘concealment’; ‘to fail to communicate or keep in touch’; ‘concealment’; ‘stillness’; ‘quietude’; ‘complete absence of sound’; tranquility’; ‘peace’.
The din of modern society challenges the sound of silence, over-powering moments of tranquility that once were commonly accessible. Similar to viewing the night time skies. To see the fullness of the heavens you must travel or live in remote areas free of the incessant glow of population explosion.
“Somewhere we know that without silence words lose their meaning, that without listening speaking no longer heals, that without distance closeness cannot cure.” ~Henri Nouwen
Balance and timing are critical to overall health and are essential guideposts of the spiritual path. There is a time to speak and a time to be silent.
“Silence is the great teacher; and to learn its lessons you must pay attention to it. There is no substitute for the creative inspiration, knowledge, and stability that comes from knowing how to contact your core of inner silence.” ~Deepak Chopra
Learning to sit quietly and empty the mind completely is one of the greatest gifts of silence. When active thought ceases with conscious intention, we become one with our surroundings.
“True silence is the rest of the mind, and is to the spirit what sleep is to the body, nourishment and refreshment.” ~William Penn
As we move toward the Winter Solstice, I invite you into the practice of silence.
Blessings!
Safety
Finding safety amid a society that is burgeoning with rapidly escalating violence, financial instability, impinging personal freedoms and a growing sense of overall unease, is challenging to say the least.
“They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty or safety.” Benjamin Franklin
Stories of days gone by, when homes were seldom locked and children could play outside, in parks and walk safely to and from school are just that…stories of a time long past.
“We can’t solve modern problems by going back in time. Retreating to the safety of the familiar is an understandable response, but God has called us to a life of faith. And faith requires us to face the unknown while trusting him completely.” ~Charles Swindoll
However you personally define ‘God’, faith in your belief system is an essential component of safety.
“Security is mostly a superstition, it does not exist in nature, nor do children as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.” ~Helen Keller
“We must respect the past, and must trust the present, if we wish to provide for the safety of the future.” ~Joseph Joubert
The myth of safety and security is becoming a powerful presence in daily living. Sanctuary is found in the depth and breadth of the spiritual path.
Blessings!
