PEACE OF MIND...YEARS OF MEDITATION

[The answer is in] peace rather than aggression. This path recognized the clarity and resilience brought about by cultivating one’s inner life....May I swiftly reach complete, effortless freedom so that my fearless, unhindered action be of benefit to all. May I lead the life of a warrior [for peace]. —Rev. angel Kyodo williams, Zen Sensei (teacher) -- Fr. Richard Rohr, "Daily Meditation," June 19, 2020

I recognized early that agree with your adversary quickly has a way deeper meaning than just shut up and be nice about it. I've gone through several try-on stages...all of which ended with get over your own self. I believe that is still the goal...it is how I get there that paves the way.

The focus must needs be spiritual...both sides must come out the winner and never by human manipulation. That's just a self-determined objective in disguise.

[The answer is in] peace rather than aggression. This path recognized the clarity and resilience brought about by cultivating one’s inner life. We turn our eyes away from the perceived problem, inward toward our inner life...God's hidey hole. We cannot do that in the moment of disturbance without prior proper planning, i.e., meditation. Days, weeks, months, years of meditation.

We must have our daily quiet time...purely for the discipline of our egoic mind. We need to open ourself to the peaceful power that dwells within which requires, again, days, weeks, months, years of meditation.

It is that discipline that allows us, upon meeting a resistant someone or something, to be nonresistant...to open ourself in the moment to peace rather than aggression. Most often that invites the other's peaceful response. But there are those married to the aggressive response...when we meet those, we can shake the dust off our feet and move on. 

It is in moving on, however, that I've found me most vulnerable. I must take care not to listen to my ego Lucy With The Football who will shout "Loser" in my inner ear. It is not easy to loose her and let her go, but...hard lesson a-learning...it is not mine to do. When my focus is stayed on my Father, it is done, and I am freed.

This whole process is my treasure. Commit to still more spiritual growth, and guaranteed, we are never bored. Evolving. That's the word I apply to myself. Rather than screw-up. Then I can laugh about it.

And whoever will not receive you nor will hear your words, shake off the dust of your feet going forth out of that house or that city! -- Matthew 10:14

Thank you.