The Practice: Faith
“things falling apart is a kind of testing and also a kind of healing. we think that the point is to pass the test or to overcome the problem, but the truth is that things don’t really get solved. They come together and then they fall apart. Then they come together again and fall apart again. It’s just like that. The healing comes from letting there be room for all of this to happen: room for grief, for relief, for misery, for joy.”
Daily Practice and Reflection:
These last two days go hand and hand… trusting the process with faith as faith implies our allowing of life to unfold naturally, our willingness to be with, come what may. And these two practices are so timely as most of us are going through some sort of transition; conditions largely created by our current circumstances of life. So, we call upon faith to sustain us through this journey of transition, the uncertainty of change.
I also realize the word faith can be somewhat loaded for many of us, but I find great inspiration in Sharon Salzberg’s description of faith as “placing our hearts upon.” I love this definition as she reminds us that faith isn’t something out there but a quality that come from within, initiated by our own hearts and wisdom. Faith is the deep trust and confidence in ourselves, in our own capacity that develops and deepens over time through the consistent practice of presence and heart. Faith is allowing a quality of loving kindness to guide us instead of our reactivity.
And this type of faith can be a source of inspiration, something that started us out on this path and/or the inspiration to continue along when times are tough. Faith sustains us to keep going, trusting that liberation is possible, that we can experience freedom of both heart and mind even if in small moments. And as we accept things as they are more frequently through our mindfulness practice (which is wisdom), our faith only strengthens.
It is difficult to experience true peace in this world without faith. So, in moments of challenge, can we come back to our own meaning of faith: faith in this practice, faith in the teachings, faith in the present moment, or faith in our own sweet selves? Can we connect back to our own hearts, placing our attention upon what matters most, what has value and meaning? Can we place faith in our own goodness and the goodness of others? Can we place faith in the natural unfolding of life? This is a lot. It isn’t always easy, and it is our work; the work of a lifetime. So, I ask you, what do you place your heart upon? What matters most to you?
“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern.”
Meditation Practice:
“Our worst moments can be the seeds of our best moments. They have an amazing power to transform us.”
“The greatest meditation is a mind that lets go.”
“Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.Hope is a function of struggle.”
“If we wish to live well in the world, not just amble along through life without any examination of our being, then we must engage in the effort to find meaning in our lives.”
“In moments of upheaval and uncertainty, there’s clarity and knowledge and perspective to be gained, but we have to live into those possibilities.”
“Let go of thinking and your faith will come from within.”
“Perhaps the secret of living well is not in having all the answers, but in pursuing unanswerable questions in good company.”
“We are not called upon to be successful, we are called to be faithful.”