I’m thinking about letting go for Lent. Yes, I’ll give up my usual things like coffee, sweets, alcohol, but I’m trying to taste something different. I received a clue from a dream the other night. I was in a familiar setting, alone in my Respiratory department at the hospital. It was a quiet day, peaceful. … Read more
Feeling center. It’s taken me a long time to become aware of feelings. I mean that there is sensation in my chest area even when there’s no big emotion going on. Yeah, I know it’s not the same for everyone. But that’s how it was/is for me. My focus is usually inside my head or … Read more
I sit in front of this blank page, not knowing what will flow onto it. It’s not always like this. Usually an idea forms before I get to my desk. But today, in order for something to come, I must be available. Something wants to manifest through me. But I do not know what it … Read more
Last Friday marked the annual celebration of Gurdjieff’s birth. It fell on the thirteenth, just before the Orthodox Russian New Year. Traditionally, January 13th has been celebrated as Gurdjieff’s birthday, although the actual year and date of his birth are shrouded in mystery. Apparently, Gurdjieff designated January 13th as the time to renew one’s work, not … Read more
There’s a knot in me. More and more, I’m becoming aware of it. I’ve been up against this before when I was introduced to my own Chief Feature. That did not taste good, yet there were moments when I experienced something delicious in the ingredients. This is similar, but different. This knot is also deep … Read more
Prayer—‘Tis the season… My recent work has me looking—at my relationship with feelings. With taking an “impression” of myself in an inner, collected moment, and in a moment of interaction with others. And the glue of why and how to keep working at these things in an active way. Somehow, I sense there is a … Read more
Mr. Bennett’s words were ringing in me as I woke up this morning. “Everyone must understand that this is the greatest opportunity that has existed for many thousands of years in the Work. Because not for thousands of years has there been such a need for people who could work.” For instance, look at this … Read more
The dénouement of my retreat at the Center for Conscious Living and Dying came during my last workshop, Process Spirituality. In the first workshop of the retreat, Grief Within and Between Us, we had played the game of Opposites. It had been facilitated by Will Daddario PhD & Joanne Zerdy PhD. The objective was to … Read more
Process Spirituality was the last workshop I attended during the Birth, Breath, and Death retreat. The title, Process Spirituality, didn’t reveal what to expect, but I heard others recommending Kalyan Volpe, the facilitator. It ended up the central experience for me on this retreat that my daughter-in-law, Michelle, had encouraged me to go to. Before … Read more
My journey continued as it had begun, full of serendipities. Despite the last minute uncertainty about where I would stay during the retreat, the Air BnB that Jack booked for me for one night was perfect. Arriving at dusk, I found it accessible, cozy, comfortable, and “safe” feeling. I began paying attention to owning my … Read more