Happiness

10 posts

Divine Will

One of my greatest interests is embodying Spirit as a known reality. To simply discuss or learn about theological doctrines and history is to keep it intellectual. All head-stuff. To translate the laws of God as written and learned into action is the next level of absorption. We put into action and make relevant what we have learned.

But even deeper than this is the embodiment of Spirit, Itself, as a known, felt, motivating force that informs and guides our every action without even needing to “think” about it. The Spirit becomes an ever present, in-dwelling force that guides us completely in every circumstance and situation without thought.

Only then do we know the full import of the words: “Thy Will Be Done.” Not my will, but Thine, Dear Lord be made manifest through this vehicle which is me.

Amazingly, all things come and become much easier, then. We realize what folly it was that our small will with our limited understanding would have known what was best all this time. It is only thinking that we are separate from the Whole that makes us fear that “Divine Will” is separate from and oppressive to what is best for us.

Rather, we know ourselves to be truly safe and cared for in the context of that Infinite “Is” whence we came, and to whom we shall return. We live “in” and of the Creator always.

Aging as a Spiritual Practice

I love noticing how spirituality can be lived out through our ordinary days.  Lately I’ve been noticing – given the season of my life – how aging, itself is a profound spiritual practice.  Letting go.  Letting be.  Surrendering.  Learning compassion with the self that got out of bed this morning, with the capabilities of today.  It’s all right here – every “lesson” ready-made.

Since I want the material I teach in the few workshops I feel called to do to be juicy and relevant – boy did I just hit the jackpot on this one!  If you’re in the near area of Brevard, North Carolina, consider joining me at the Center for Spiritual Wisdom in February – for our joint dive into the topic of “Aging as a Spiritual Practice”.

Here are the details:

Aging as a Spiritual Practice
with Dr. Mary Ann Iyer
Mondays, Feb. 13, 20, 27 from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m.
Elk Haven Wellness Center, Brevard, N.C.

Aging can be a spiritually growth-filled time if we open to the gifts and possibilities of this stage of our lives. Letting go of historic roles and “self-identities.” Redefining possibilities with sometimes new limitations. Exploring latent talents, desires, aspirations. Finding a deeper sense of value with different priorities.

Join Dr. Mary Ann Iyer, CSW Associate, on Feb. 13, 20 & 27 (Mondays) at 2:00 p.m. at Elk Haven Wellness Center as we explore each of these themes. Dr. Iyer will ask you to consider: What are we invited to open – during this magical time of releasing what was – into what is yet to be?

Mary Ann Iyer, MD has been at the forefront of Mindbody Wellness since 1982. Board-certified in Internal Medicine and with a Masters in Psychology, she takes a uniquely psycho-spiritual approach to healing and wellness.
Choose from 2 types of registration: General Admission at $36 per person or Admission Plus at $66 per person (Admissions Plus helps us underwrite the cost of this and other events). Learn more about “Aging as a Spiritual Practice” HERE.
  Register now at Eventbrite   

Taking Care of Ourselves

We often have the idea that in order to take care of ourselves we need something special – out of the ordinary. Something big enough to stand out.

But that idea can set us up for frustration if we are not able to get away. It is when we learn to appreciate the small things – the sunrise (and really – isn’t that huge? Every. Single. Day.), a bird’s sudden first chirp in the fresh, crisp spring morning, the cat curling up with sudden onset purring next to us – that we have a chance for ongoing nourishment through the course of our days. Often what goes missing is gratitude.  What makes the difference between a good day and bad one is the rise of irritation vs gratitude for the impact of things that occur to us.

 Sometimes there are unforeseen difficult events that grab our focus for extended periods of time. We feel like we are stuck in survival mode. Like a sudden health emergency with ripple challenges. These things happen no matter how careful we are or how “perfectly” we conduct our lives. Especially during these times, having nurtured a capacity for noticing and appreciating the “small things” in our lives can get us through.

This doesn’t mean never go on retreat. It just means don’t depend on that as the only way to nourish yourself. Try this experiment: each time you notice a rise of irritation today, counter it with what you can authentically feel grateful for in that moment. See how that shifts your internal sense of the moment with such minimal effort.

Nourishment often really is best served up in small bites.