choice

4 posts

Aging as a Spiritual Practice

I am teaching a 3 week workshop on Aging as a Spiritual Practice at the Center for Spiritual Wisdom in Brevard.  We have an amazing group of elders who are so wise and engaged in this process, I am truly humbled and in awe. I think some of you who are readers of my blog would appreciate the information from our last class.

The invitation in the second class was to review our place in the context of our lineage by entering deeply into the awareness of our mother (for the women)/father (for the men).  Imagine living their lives – in their times – under their circumstances.  Then zoom up to a birdseye view to observe the patterns of the lineage into which you were born.  See how you fit into that, and continue to play out the patterns of your heritage.  Notice of that what is helpful/useful – and what you might want to change. You can.  This is free will and choice.

The homework for the week was to continue to notice the patterns – and making conscious choices relative to what you see.

Then we wrote – and read – the obituary that might be written for us NOW and most especially we noticed what we wished could have been in there.  And, again – realize that now is the time to address that!  Choices.

Insights from this class:

All of us feel a certain vulnerability at this time of our lives.  If we stay with this – sink deeper into it as an invitation – we can see a way of being that is more honest.  More grounded. More real. More truly present with life and those around us. Be very patient; kind to self.  All we’ve done has worth. Now we can see/appreciate God’s creation more deeply. By being more quiet, we can invite the Divine in – right in and through us while still on earth.

Paradoxically, while feeling less able to “do”, we can practice more deeply the doing of the Divine through us. It is the will of the ego that is getting weaker here. Don’t fight this. Let it be. Let it rest. Lean into, open up to, allow the breath of the Divine to penetrate more deeply. As we are less ego driven – more present without resistance – we become part of the Gift of God to the planet.

This is the invitation of this time of our Life

Welcome that! Be curious – Let yourself be supported by the Hand of the Divine.

Love This Day

It’s a miracle – the way this world is built.  In so many ways, but right now I’m thinking about how each day is so brand new.  The sun rises on a world changed by rest every morning.  What wisdom this is. To start each day brand new, letting go of the tensions, trips, and tears of yesterday.  Let it be a new start. Every day.

Take this day

and love it fiercely

for you will never

be this young again.

I invite requests for topics you, my Dear Reader, would like to see me address in these blogs.

Mindful Eating Talk

Many of you who read my blogs have taken Mindful Eating classes from me.  We recently posted a talk I did on Mindful Eating on You-Tube, having edited out the sections in which individuals shared personal information.  You might enjoy this as a boost in your process!

More talks, including recent interviews with Coach Gordon and Dr. Iyer can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/user/DocMAWallace

I will continue periodically sharing “Fireside Interviews by Coach Gordon with Dr Iyer”, and would love if you joined us by signing up to receive You-Tubes from me as they are posted.

Joy in Spring, and the opening of daffodils!