Dear Tom:
You can probably tell I have been struggling with my own thoughts on perspective, attitude, and overall how I bring the best of myself into my daily life. Sufis seem to say it better than I have been able to articulate when they say that the ultimate work of art is ourselves. Your Pir Khan wrote, “We are each endowed with the faculty of being able to become what we want to become; life is a great loss if we don’t avail ourselves of this potential…. How we could be is so much greater than the way we’ve become. The Future lies before us….”
These are truly words to bring to a meditation, a walk in the park or on a beach, or a long retreat or vacation. Enjoy your summer dear friend. Webb
Dear Webb,
These last 2 entries really strike at the core of what most of us struggle with, regardless of religion or spiritual perspective. I particularly resonated with your statement, “I have been struggling with my own thoughts on perspective, attitude, and overall how I bring the best of myself into my daily life.” I take solace in the thought that we are all perfectly designed to be imperfect. Surrendering to that concept would help, I think. Getting the ego out of the way is the challenge, at least for me.
I’ve learned to do a daily set of spiritual practices and to set an intention for the day. I’m getting better at holding the intention, which enables me to improve at bringing my best. When I look back over the past couple years, I do see advances. And then I will slip up with a careless thought or action and feel like I’m back at square one. Until, that is, I realize that when I’m down on myself I’m living out of the past rather than being present in THIS moment. That plus remembering to breathe are powerful aids in this continual struggle. Also remembering Rumi’s powerful message, which I’ve shared before, “Come, come, whoever you are. Wanderer, worshipper, lover of leaving – it doesn’t matter. Ours is not a caravan of despair come, even if you have broken your vow a hundred times, Come, come again, come.”
Another wonderful read is the novel “The Forty Rules of Love” by Elif Shafak. Powerful.
Your friend,
Tom