“Always remember that seclusion is the price of greatness. In this tremendously busy life, unless you are by yourself, you can never succeed.” — Paramhansa Yogananda
#1 – The price of greatness
Making the effort
“Often we continue to suffer without making an effort to change; that is why we don’t find lasting peace and contentment. If we would persevere we would certainly be able to conquer all difficulties. We must make the effort, that we may go from misery to happiness, from despondency to courage.” — Paramhansa Yogananda
Going into seclusion is — for me — about making the effort to change. Not everything and not all at once, but still…one has to try.
While in seclusion I’ll mostly be taking a break from technology, except that I don’t want to break my commitment to writing in my blog every day.
So, what I’ve decided to do is prepare three daily posts ahead of time, with a quote about seclusion and being quiet. That way I can simply publish each draft from my phone. It’s a compromise.
Twilight stillness
I’m easing into a time of seclusion.
I’m not completely “secluded” yet, as I have to finish a few things tonight and during a small portion of tomorrow afternoon.
But the magic is still happening. Like during a last minute decision to go for a walk this evening.
It was almost dark, but so beautiful. And so still. I could see bats flitting through the air. I could hear silence.
I could feel peace.
What we’re hungry for
“Our souls are not hungry for fame, comfort, wealth or power. Those rewards create almost as many problems as they solve. Our souls are hungry for meaning, for the sense that we have figured out how to live so that our lives matter, so that the world will be at least a little bit different for our having passed through it.” —Harold S. Kushner
All talked out
We started the day enjoying cinnamon rolls and coffee while catching up with fellow singers, who recently returned from travels overseas. We talked and talked and talked…
That was followed by a family Zoom call to connect with my brother and his wife in Sunnyvale. More talking, talking, talking.
A quick bite of lunch, then one final meeting to discuss upcoming choir events and catch up with another friend. No surprise that I’m completely talked out.
Going on and on and on…
It’s been a while since I shared one of John Roedel‘s amazing poems.
Ramesha read this one today and was deeply touched. He thought I might want to put it in tonight’s blog, and he was right.
on my last day
here on Earth
let me be like I
was on my very
first day
let me be
ready for my
great voyage
between worlds
let me be
ready to ride the cosmic
river of the vast unknown
on my last day
here on Earth
let me be like I
was on my very first
let me be
ready to see what
all the fuss is on
the other side of
the womb that I’ve been
hearing so much about
let me be
ready to be bathed in
a light that I could have
never have imagined
let me be
ready to be held in
the arms by my lovely
creator and to feel safer
than I ever have before
on my last day
here on Earth
let me be like I
was on my very first
let me be
ready to see the smiling faces
of all those who have been
eagerly waiting to meet me
let me be
ready to be swaddled up
in the warmest cotton
blanket of fresh starts
on my last day
here on Earth
let me be like
I was on my very first
covered in the
miracle of creation
no wonder newborn
babies cry
no wonder 45-year old
men cry
it’s all such an adventure
it’s all such a journey
it’s all such a circle
it’s all such a flowing river
it’s all such an endless passage
it’s all such a mystery
and it goes on and on and on
and on and on
it all goes on
and we go on and on and on
and on and on
we all go on
oh, divine light
oh, sacred spirit
oh, God
please let me
go on and on and on
and on and on
oh, I can’t wait to see
what comes next
~ john roedel
Urban Theory
I stumbled upon the group, Urban Theory, a few months ago. They intrigued me right from the start and I grew steadily more fascinated with them week by week.
Now I’m ready to acknowledge that I’m a total fan.
Every day I’m on the lookout for their latest Facebook story or reel, and I’m bummed if too many days go by without something new.
Their dancing (it’s called “tutting”) is amazing, and I find the precision absolutely thrilling, but I also love their free and easy social media presence. The fact that they’re Italian is like the icing on the cake!
You are loved
Pre-rehearsal sunset
The sky was so amazing tonight!
On the way to choir rehearsal it took discipline not to pull over and simply enjoy it.
(Not to mention get more photos of it!)
Sharing with Virtual Community
Today we had the great pleasure of spending time with members of the Ananda Virtual Community in their weekly “Say Yes to Life!” satsang.
We shared about what living in spiritual community has meant to us, and how important Ananda’s music is to living in community.
We also answered some great questions on a wide variety of topics.
What a joy to be able to have satsang in real time with people in California, on the East Coast, and in the UK!