http://www.psychotherapywithspirit.com/journal/index.php babblings ! en anne@gerdesdesign.com Copyright 2006 2008-09-05T20:14:45 hourly 1 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00 http://www.psychotherapywithspirit.com/journal/index.php?p=5&c=1 2006-12-06T22:03:22 admin (mailto:lois@psychotherapywithspirit.com) General 5@http://www.psychotherapywithspirit.com/journal/index.php http://www.psychotherapywithspirit.com/journal/index.php?p=4&c=1 2006-12-06T21:53:04 admin (mailto:lois@psychotherapywithspirit.com) General 4@http://www.psychotherapywithspirit.com/journal/index.php Our deepest desire is just to relax and be ourselves. This is what we have always wanted. And yet we learn to turn away from parts of ourselves early in our development. When our Mom or Dad doesn't respond lovingly to some behavior or quality in us, we begin to ... We are so much more than we can even imagine from the perspective of the one who has become conditioned. When we Turn Toward Ourselves, we begin to allow,and make space for, all the parts that we have rejected. And we do this, not once, but over and over again.We learn, through practice, to offer ourselves the kindness and compassion that we need and deserve.And this kindness and compassion allows us to relax.]]> http://www.psychotherapywithspirit.com/journal/index.php?p=3&c=1 2006-02-21T11:24:20 admin (mailto:lois@psychotherapywithspirit.com) General 3@http://www.psychotherapywithspirit.com/journal/index.php This Rumi poem reminds me that all of our human experiences are precious - none are to be excluded.Turning toward ourselves means holding with kindness all that we are, in each moment, rejecting nothing. The Guest House This being human is a guest house. Every morning a new arrival. A joy, a depression, a ...
The Guest House

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they are a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice.
meet them at the door laughing and invite them in.

Be grateful for whatever comes.
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.


-- Jelaluddin Rumi,
translation by Coleman Barks
]]> http://www.psychotherapywithspirit.com/journal/index.php?p=2&c=1 2005-11-01T10:53:18 admin (mailto:lois@psychotherapywithspirit.com) General 2@http://www.psychotherapywithspirit.com/journal/index.php I just returned form a spiritual retreat where we explored the truth of who we are in relation to who we take ourselves to be. There is for me a subtle identification with this one who doesn't feel like she's quite good enough to be just herself- she's always got ...
My teacher shared this prayer/poem with us. It is translated from the Hebrew. I find it deeply supportive of what my "larger self" knows to be the truth. That I am, that we all are, precious just as we are.

I'd like to share this prayer :
MAY THE SPIRIT OF MY DEVOTION
INFORM AND FILL ALL MY ACTIONS IN THE WORLD,
WHETHER I AM IN A HIGH STATE OR A LOW STATE,
OR STRUGGLING TO OVERCOME SOME OBSTACLE IN THE PATH.

MAY I NOT BE ATTACHED TO THE STATE OF CONSCIOUSNESS
AROUSED BY MY DEVOTION,
BUT COME TO SEE EVERY STATE OF CONSCIOUSNESS
AS A RUNG IN THE LIFE OF ALL THE WORLDS.

MAY I LEARN THE DIVINE IN ALL THAT I DO,
SO LIFE ITSELF IS KNOWN AS THE DIVINE BLESSING,
AND EVERYTHING I THINK AND DO
BECOMES A WAY TO GOD

]]>