The Dawning of the Duh

Well, I was god-smacked when I finally got it.  I mean I’ve talked about it on an intellectual level. But while I was sitting still this morning I got it on a gut level. G.I.G.O. Duh. If you remember in the dawning of the age of the computer, G.I.G.O. was the acronym created for the explanation of why programs wouldn’t run. It means garbage in, garbage out.  Program the computer with nonsense and that’s what you get, more of the same or nada.  Since computers were created in the image of the mind of man (in the non-generic delineation) to be a super mind the acronym is also completely appropriate for our bodies and our human manipulated environment. 

This body as a laboratory of exploration and discovery has been telling me, no showing me for years, that what I eat, what I allow to permeate my mind, how I move my body, who I associate with and when and where all these things happen is intimately synchronized with the quality of my life. Really, IS the quality of my life.

What we put into our mouths, the food stuff to nurture these meat bodies, and what comes out the other end is our ground zero for good physical health.  What we expose to our grey matter either supports positive change and cooperation or it promotes fear and anger. 

So many questions arise?

In this seemingly soulless culture how do we discern between commercialized spirituality and who we really are? How do we nurture our attitude? Are we mindful of our emotions? Do we treat the body with kindness? How do we create a congruent state of existence? 

At the same time, and this is the art of juggling and balance, we begin to realize the vast difference between self care and narcissism. If you hadn’t noticed, take a look around, we seem to live in a world that like the seagulls in “Finding Nemo” cry ‘mine, mine.’  When it’s all about me or those like me we have a tendency to separate ourselves from our fellow human beings. Experientially we know, just listen to a newscast, that when we otherize, our fellow species and the environment, we separate and demonize. We create hell from this heaven on earth. 

One basic truth, and it’s difficult to disagree, we are all in this together. Whether we like it or not we are co-creating the world as it is now. Sorry, but the victim card, the I didn’t know ticket, isn’t valid any longer.  With social media, we do know. We know what we are doing to each other, we know how we are treating ourselves, we know what we are doing to the environment. We know and although at times we may feel helpless and alone we are not.  Checked your friends list lately, and their list and so on?

Most importantly we have all been graced with the gift of choice. We choose every time we do or we don’t, every time we deny or affirm, every clinging, every aversion Naturally, the most obvious question is, “how do I know if I’ve made the right choice?” 

The answer is not that complex; in fact it’s simple. We have been equipped with a wonderful tool called feelings.  Feelings help us monitor our state of mind, body and soul. Check in regularly and check out the information your natural intuition provides. Then run it through the mind and make the necessary tweaks to change your health, change your thoughts, change your relationships. If you find the choice you make supports your integrity well, pat yourself on the back.  

Now back to GIGO, how do we check in with feelings that we may not know we have, may not be able to identify or darn well have stuffed for years.  That takes me back to the beginning. Still your body, still your mind. Let the external world fall away and nurture your inner space. All that needs to be done is to be with what is. Then in the midst of the roar of fear, anger, opinions, a veritable garbage dump of information, it will become self evident. It’s not about more control. It’s about giving up the need to be in control.   With a metaphorical smack to the forehead, coincidentally the third eye, we will awaken to that which has always been here, this moment, this life, each other. Buried under all the GIGO is who we truly are. The beauty. The mystery. The divine grace of life. 

Afterwords: In which, the non-linear and the linear collide and create a tasty word soup much to the delight of this writer.  She laughs.

Eye of the Storm

Always change.  Sometimes slow and dependable like the breath. Long slow flow on the inhale. Long slow flow on the exhale. Sometimes churning and tumultuous, a vortex of energy swirling and twirling, engulfing. Most off though with this natural always evident, every present phenomenon, we deny it’s existence. “ I can’t believe this happened.” “She died.” “The motor just stopped.” “They broke up.” “The movie’s over.” 

Our language echoes our denial. We are so detached from the present moment that like the proverbial deer caught in the headlights we are surprised by the ever changing flow of existence. The quote, “This too will pass,” is a truism that can change our relationship with not only the present moment but our existence in this body. 

Every thing comes and every thing goes. Even this is only a pointer to actuality. We, this is not a thing, in the relative sense of the word. All that is contained in this moment is a verb, it is action, every changing. The mind, our left hemisphere understands, craves opposites. We need to know. We find our comfort in a simplistic, dumbed down, dualistic view of the world. If it’s not good; it must be bad.  If you’re not with us; you’re against us. 

To acknowledge that there are absolutely no absolutes and that no thing is one thing always is very uncomfortable. My motto for many years has been “Just say know.”  I am a product of this age of reason.  As I season, I sense, intuit, embrace, “I don’t know.”  Because I really don’t. Perhaps I am certain of only one, this body I inhabit will after some time cease to be. In knowing that, a great gift is revealed. I, we, get to play and be played by the mystery of this moment. 

So together, as one, let us befriend this moment. 

Wherever, whatever, whoever!

Wherever I go
Wherever I roam
Wherever I am
Is always my home

Whoever I meet
Whoever I see
Whoever I greet
Is still always me

Whatever I say
Whatever I hear
Whatever is present
Is music to my ear

One home, one heart, one voice
Wherever, whoever, whatever
Be still with what is
One always has choice

The Key To Success

Seems to me that we measure success with excess. Excess of the almighty dollar. Excess of stuff. Excess of activated grey matter. Excess of status. Excess of opinions. Excess of that stuff that makes you a legend in your own mind. I’ve been thinking perhaps the key to success can easily be measured by the number of keys you have on your key chain. 

Is your key chain dangling with success?  Multiple keys to safety deposit boxes or storage facilities, keys to numerous vehicles or a variety of domiciles, key to the office...               Is success in the sweet sound of the jingle in your key chain dangle? 

I have very few keys.  Until recently, home, bike lock, now a car key. Now, the key to the yoga studio. In my heart and soul, I don’t need to feel successful, all I need to do is love more and fear less.  For me that is the key. 

One key I forgot; here, the key to my heart.

I offer it to you.