Coming into spring has been a very bumpy journey for us. In brief, we moved into a rental home in Portland, OR in March, only to find out that a combination of mold and new carpets/paint made it uninhabitable for us. We spent several weeks couch-surfing, and we’ve temporarily landed in an apartment (new contact info below) while we look to buy a home.
In the course of this, we had many scared, lonely, and hopeless times, and we also had moments of complete transcendence and beauty. Where was the difference? Our situation was exactly the same whether we felt great or felt hopeless. Have you had experiences like this?
I know I certainly care whether I’m comfortable or not, whether I’m challenged or not. But the deeper question here is: What are you really doing? The surface of the ocean changes all of the time- beauty and sunshine replace storms and wind, but does this change the depth of the ocean? No, the depth stays the same despite all surface changes. Where are you living? On the surface or in your depths?
Sure, Mark, that sounds great, but how do I do that when I’m in the face of the hurricane, when my business is struggling, when things look miserable?
If you are struggling, accept that you are struggling. I mean REALLY accept it. It sucks! I know I’ve said this before, but until we can really accept where we are, we can’t move.
With the acceptance, then remember your depths.
How? One of my teachers told me the question is not “How do I remember?” Rather, the question is “Are you remembering?”
One of the simplest, and yet most profound practices I have learned is called, not surprisingly, the Remembrance. It is merely the practice of repeating the name of the Divine, of God, of Love, into your heart, quietly, silently, repeatedly. I invite every one of you to take 5 to 10 minutes a day for two weeks, and quietly, eyes closed, do this practice in your heart.
This may not seem a hard-nosed business tip, but if you don’t take the time to be with your own holiness in your heart, how much grace will you have in your hard-nosed business actions, face to face with the hurricane?
I’m betting that most of you, when you are brought to your knees by some situation, turn to some sort of higher power/God/the Divine to ask for help. Why wait until you are brought to your knees? In your friendships, people will come through for you in the hard times, but is a friendship truly made if you only call when you’re in trouble?
Spend time building your friendship with your own holiness now! Then, when you need help, guidance, miracles, you may already find yourself held in your depths. Try it, you’ll like it.
