Inshallah
Darkness October 2011
When I began Darkness this time I set up some intentions and ground rules. One of these was recognizing and avoiding likes and dislikes. Why? Because true non-attachment, accepting whatever "is" with an even mind, brings true contentment. If one has no "druthers" what's not to like? Pretty consistently I have been catching myself as I respond with a desire for something to be other than it is. I just mentally label it "likes and dislikes" and move on. This has been incredibly freeing. It doesn't mean I always flow easily with it (remember the salad?) yet at least it is clear I am the one who is creating the experience of life as less than perfect!
When I was fasting I broke my favorite juice-drinking glass. I enjoyed that glass because my own self-created value declared drinking from it was a celebration of the of act of drinking regardless of what was in it. I was really disappointed when I broke it shaking out excess wash-water too close to the counter-top. It's pitch black here, remember. I said "likes and dislikes" and considered the mug that would be it's replacement. "Maybe this will work out O.K." I thought.
When it came time to use the mug it served me substantially better as a Darkness drinking vessel. It was much easier to accurately pour into and it made the juice seem more abundant as well. Sometimes (more often than we expect, I proprose) our likes and dislikes can really be off-base, if not downright destructive. The self-sabotaging relationship choices of several folks I know come quickly to mind.
I am thinking that an honest assessment of our habitual likes and dislikes and how these are impacting our chance for true happiness could be very wise. Indeed, Darkness doesn't lie. May what it contributes to the growth of my life flow into yours as well!
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