This is a recent interview I did for the Center for Spiritual Wisdom:
From Rob Field, the Director:
“And if you’d like to hear my full 30-minute conversation with Dr. Mary Ann Iyer, you can enjoy it here”:
Cheers! MA
truth
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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.
The recent workshop I led on “Aging as a Spiritual Practice” was so delightful. The shared wisdom in the group reverberated. I realized how very much I love sharing time with elders who are invested in growing in self-understanding – and to do this as a group was delicious.
I wrote a poem, on the back of a slip of paper – sort of a tongue-in-cheek bit of humor. A couple of folks asked me for a copy of it afterward — so I’ll share it with you, too. Perhaps you’ll enjoy the humor — and understand! – also.
Coming together – all the loose shards of my life. What to call this? “Retirement” hardly seems to qualify. Although I do seem to be tired, a lot. Memories, in part, the fragments of my mind drifting through hazy, lazy days in a sometimes frenzy. Wanderings, a fair bit, the mind wondering what – if anything – might motivate me to put in time - and energy – to “step up to the plate,” “volunteer,” “pay back” (whatever does that even mean?) I do seem to be tired, a lot. Curious, still, what the day and days will hold. Grateful, often for deeper and deepening relations. With those I’ve known and are still meeting. Awestruck at the way the changing light of the seasons glint off the old log pile in the back. That can’t be new – yet – to me, it is. What is left, then – without the alarm propelling me into the busy days of clinic-life? “Re-tired” OK, Well. Let’s just see where these new treads will go.