THE EXCHANGE

Blinding flash of the obvious: There is no 'should' in God's world...there is only 'is.'  

For this we change our mind, more to the point, we exchange our reasoning mind...for the non-dual mind that is open to everything. It begins with a radical yes to each moment. (Fr Richard Rohr. 11/21/17)

Imagine...living in a world without should and all the variations of should that our mind lays on us. Remembering, reminding ourself repeatedly, that what our mind lays on us is our personal invitation for what comes to us. It is not "my rotten luck," "God punishing me," "him, her, them." No. It is my own thoughts run amok.

Mini BFO: Any thought of protecting self is our thoughts run amok. 

Face it, "protecting self" is code for "attacking you." Hiding behind "in self-defense," of course.

Since we profess as Truth that God has our back, that he goes before us to make the crooked places straight, how can we continue to rely on self-defense as legitimate, as acceptable? I doubt we actually believe we're reacting in self-defense, I suspect it is resistance that is the hook...where's the buzz in nonresistance? All we get from nonresistance is peace...that which we pray for and resist by our very prayers. 

Reminds me of a truth I backed into a while back: The more we pray for something, the less we believe we have it...even with it sitting right there within us. Patience, for instance. 

It all boils down to finding the peace within our own self that is already there...rather than praying for how we "should" be, thank God for how we are right this very minute. Then walk out in that.

I desire not to desire, for my will is without value, since I am ignorant in any case. Therefore choose Thou for me what Thou knowest to be best and do not put my perdition on what my autonomy and free choice prefer. -- Bayazid Al-Bistami (from Eawaran's April 8 "Words to Live By" )

Thank you.