“Trudging the Path of Happy Destiny:*
Did you ever get awakened from the deep marshes of sleep by canine laser-sharp eyes, piercing through your altered state?
Did you ever get awakened while deeply asleep to the sound of Dog-Speak that echoes something like this:
“m..m..M..MM.MMMM!!”
Did you ever stumble outside with said canine-companion—not awake, not asleep—to the sensory overload of a gloriously remarkable bejeweled sky, stars glistening against the inky sky?
Did you ever—not awake, not asleep—contemplate how, mere moments before, you slept beneath a ceiling, beneath a roof fully unaware of this starlight laser show that was simultaneously taking place?
This past week, I have had these experiences. Ugh.
Heading back to bed, heart still pounding in disbelief from the Tearing from Sleep, now the attempted return to the bed, the settling in, to the ceiling, to the roof, to the separation between me and that glorious sky.
Lying back in bed, the clock at 4:18, dog deep under the covers, her soft, warm furry self squashed against my hip, her breathing the soundtrack to this, the later years of my life, I find myself pondering—how bizarre it is to be human.
How fully weird, wrapped in the minutiae of humanness, the petty and inevitable concerns, the lists, the fears, the aging bodies, the world,
Etc. etc. etc. etc.
And all the while, the glory, the awe of the universe sparkles away, unbeknownst to us.
Today’s interruptions into that numbness of my human world were;
That breath-taking red tree standing strong against the blue/grey clouds,
The marshes filled with the sounds of invisible birds, alive in a cacophony of feeding, resting, gathering, on their way south.
These are the miracles.
How blessed are they, these moments, these momentary awakenings, when our humanity is blasted open and the grace of the Universe reveals herself.
She is always there. It is me; I am the one who exists.
Ahhhh! Friends.
How to abide our human journey.
How to bear our own anxiety,
Our busyness,
Our fears,
Our to-do lists.
I say—
Patience and tolerance for our householder lives.
I say—
Patience and tolerance for our humanity.
Kindness and breath and blessings to us, as we trudge this path
Of glory,
This path
Of happy destiny.
My thoughts strangely go to Bill Wilson, the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous.
A raging alcoholic, once sober, a genius emerged, ninety years ago he along with Bob Smith cobbled together this program that continues to bring life and health and goodness to so many people. Today there are approximately more than 2 million folks living throughout the world who are AA members. Not bad, ninety years later.
There is a six-word phrase in the Fellowship’s main literature, The Big Book, that has captivated me for so long. Bill says on page 164:
“We shall be with you in the fellowship of the spirit….and you will surely meet some of us as you trudge the path of happy destiny”.
Trudge the path of happy destiny!
What a contradiction—what an insight.
This morning, with my heart quieting down, with dog-breathing serenading me, a gentle smile came to me. I understand this phrase just a bit more, taught to me this week by Niki the Dog.
So often life can be a trudge.
Life can be a schlep.
Life can be a struggle.
I might be numb or overexcited.
I might be busy or bored.
I might be exhausted.
Or hyped up.
It is all true.
It is all inevitable.
I am everything.
We are—all of it.
And every now and then,
Happy destiny reveals herself.
And every now and then, the awe of the journey reveals herself.
We are awakened to see.
To really, see.
Human and divine
Wrapped in a body.
What a journey.
What a glorious planet upon which we live.
How very blessed are we.
~~~
Friends,
What about you?
What resonates in this tale?
How are you awakened into the Awe?
~~~
Metta meditation is a loving-kindness practice that cultivates compassion for all. Here is a stunning song by Bob Sima, called Metta.
Praying for ourselves.
Praying for each other.
This sounds, to me, like a brilliant response to the Trudge.
Let this song be sung to you.
Sing it to yourself.
~~~
Friends,
Let us go gently.
Let us go easefully.
Let us find our way.
When we are able.
And when we are not,
Let us be kind to ourselves.
Let us relax,
And so gently,
And so lovingly,
Keep practicing.
May all beings benefit from our time together.
Stay blessed,
Aruni
~~~
*The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, page 164
HI, BLOG READERS
SOME JUICY INVITES BELOW
Do you enjoy reading my weekly blogs? I absolutely adore writing them, sharing with you my understanding of the wisdom teachings through the lens of my daily experiences. Check out this exciting online event based on my blogs. It is called:
LIVING YOGA in TODAY’S WORLD—
ANCIENT WISDOM FOR MODERN TIMES
I will join our host, Charlyn Anandamai Reihman and together facilitate a juicy conversation about four main themes of the blogs:
- Non-judgmental awareness
- Riding the wave
- Surrender
- Grace
Each week we will focus on a few selected blogs that demonstrate these themes. You will receive weekly worksheets to support your practice and integration of the teachings.
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Please consider deepening your relationship to the wisdom teachings. Let’s spend some time together in contemplation and in practice.
~~~
A final reminder—please do consider:
THE INNER QUEST INTENSIVE
October 17-20