Summer officially arrived this weekend, but the freedom of summer dissolved with last night's announcement. America began bombing Iran in the darkening shadow of war. Now we wait, and the world waits, for whatever comes next. The immigration upheaval continues, along with the federal vs. state conflict in L.A. over the local presence of the National Guard. Summertime as "free and easy" seems postponed, if not relegated to the past. Nevertheless, Earth continues it's path around the Sun, and the great light of the solstice has arrived. Where do we put our focus, this first week of summer: The vast uncertainty of human culture, or a stabilizing faith in the Greater Order of Life?
One can argue that this stabilizing faith is but a sliver of a dream, clutched by a minority of human culture. But one can also argue (as aspects of Hinduism and Buddhism offer) that the whole human drama is a dream. Or, one can affirm that the stabilizing faith in a Greater Order of Life, adds to that Order, and enhances its manifestation. In other words, we bring the world into being by our faith in It. The sum of nature, human thought, cosmic physicality, Transcendent Awareness, and, as New Thought philosopher Alan Anderson used to say,"then some", is God. "God is all there is, and then some."
There are many other views of life and religion, but my purpose today is two steer you away from the fear and gloom, long enough for you to pray for Peace and in that Peace, re-focus on living more fully. Prayer is a dynamic force. Prayer is about living in Peace, with Peace of Mind. Prayer in a time of war, means we find our way to affirm Peace for All of Life, including Peace for our "enemies", who are also of this Life, this World. That kind of prayer is seemingly a koan, a spiritual enigma--yet the only way to achieve Peace is to grant it to all, first finding your own place of Peace of Mind. Even though that may dissolve with the next news report, you found it, and you can regain it with prayer.
One way to live more fully in this unsettled time, is to set yourself some summer goal(s). Goals are one aspect of the human dance between the present moment and an unfolding future. The practice of "being in the moment" cultivates a sharper awareness and participation in the present--no question about that--but life is not a "frozen" moment. It's a stream of moments, and an unfolding story. Goals propel us forward. Goals give us a personal structure for action, so that we don't lose ourselves in the unrelenting bombardment of social media opinions and unsettling news. Goals reinforce our sense of agency. As human beings, we have the capacity to initiate action. As we commit to living from a spiritual perspective, that agency becomes more and more an inner directive. Our spiritual practice becomes the well-spring of new awareness and new goals. Summer goals may be very simple, short-term, and enjoyable. Or, they may re-orient your life path. Listen to your heart, and set your course with renewed Peace of Mind. (Susan Nettleton)
For poetry: https://gladdestthing.com/poems/the-rules-of-evidence https://allpoetry.com/poem/14326594-Unharvested-by-Robert-Frost https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/150995/dreams-5d767850da976 https://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/poem/peace-wild-things-0/