Reading my horoscope on October 28, 2017, I felt a spooky resonance:
"What works for other people won't necessarily work for you, and what works for you won't necessarily work for others. Still, the recommendations will be appreciated, and a nice way to connect."
Comments received in response to my questions are very insightful. This is an invitation to visit the blog and read them. Click on the word comments at the end of the post. I think that will work. I realize that my instructions before weren't altogether accurate which gives me a sense of compassion for those who compose instruction manuals.
When you go trick or treating, try this joke: "Why can't you hear a pterodactyl go to the bathroom?"
Because the "p" is silent.
Happy Halloween from Nicky & exploring the mystery!
I used to believe there was one right answer for every question.
I used to believe there was one God and he was a HE.
In the twenty first century (that phrase sounds dramatic to me) it has become evident that instead of one right answer there are many answers; instead of one God there are multiple ways to relate to our feelings of awe and despair.
In the 80's, Sunday mornings found me practicing meditation with Zen Buddhists followed by participating in Sunday School Class and Worship Service at Grace United Methodist Church.
One result of this double feature Sunday morning was a personal essay which I shudder to remember I read aloud during a Zen vegetarian potluck. My revelation, shocking to me at the time. was that I often felt connected to Jesus when I meditated.
I shudder because at that time I firmly believed that Christianity was the only way and believed that's why my mind went there while meditating. I remember nods and averted eyes.
This memory was triggered by reading that Thomas Merton's prayer was not one of words or intellect or even imagination. His prayer had no form but was a simple attention of the mind.
Do you believe there is one answer? Do you believe in one God?
Tell me about your way of praying.
Thanks for exploring the mystery - NIcky Mendenhall
A few brave souls respond when I ask for feedback on attention and prayer. I'm full of gratitude for comments.*
Prayer is routine for Merton but as subject matter for today's post, elusive for me. Instead we'll explore attention. Recently it occurred to me that paying attention to the feeling of breath in my body during meditation was becoming a little easier.
Dressing for Ai Chi water class last week was therefore quite humbling. When I pulled my new black maillot swimsuit on I wondered why there was so much floppy fabric on my abdomen. What a shock to realize that I was putting it on backwards!
According to the Merton Master of Attention book, the purpose of attention is to see better. Seeing beauty, especially wabi sabi, is important to me. Attention makes lots of things possible.
You can bet I'm now paying more attention in the locker room. What do you want or need to pay more attention to or see more of? What do you want to see better? Any thoughts on routine prayer?
Thanks for exploring the mystery - Nicky Mendenhall
*To read the comments click on the underlined exploring the mystery at the bottom of the email you are reading. When you click you will be directed to this post on the blog. Scroll down through post and find the word "comment" at the end. Click on the word comment & you will be directed to the comment section of blog. You will need to scroll up or down to see comments or for that matter, leave a comment. Once you post a comment, don't expect to see it immediately as first it comes to me to be approved and I check email at various times.
My gratitude goes out to everyone who responded to exploring the mystery. It was fun to receive your comments and greetings. I'm impressed that many of you are concentrating on being in the present moment.
A book entitled Thomas Merton: Master of Attention by Robert Waldron is now on my book stack. I was intrigued by the word attention in the title as I think being in the present moment is paying attention. I've never been a big fan of Merton but wanted to see what Waldron would say about Merton and attention. Attention is quite the buzzword.
One of the most interesting things in the book so far is a quote by Simone Weil: "Absolutely unmixed attention is prayer."
What do you think of this statement? I still think about it. I'd love to hear your perspective. Do you pray? What is prayer? What is unmixed attention? Is being in the present moment paying attention?
My goal is to publish on Fridays.
Quick Question: Two of my sisters asked what was in my mouth in the photo on the blog, Do you know?
Thanks for exploring the mystery - Nicky Mendenhall
Nine months has been enough time
- to begin a meaningful relationship with my body. Initially the diagnosis of NPH manifested suffering and despair. Fortunately the power and effect of Love was more potent.
- to discover and stay mindful of psychological patterns. In an interview I heard Anne Lamott say she had agreed not to see what was going on growing up; realizing this is also true for me.
- to read and study memoirs, novels, creativity books, biographies, Buddhist/Christian literature and then initiate an exhilarating search for works referenced by these authors.
- to encounter multiple quotes that nourish me and remind me of my basic goodness. Sometimes it is the tiniest suggestion that makes a difference. I want to share these with you!
- to notice I appreciate colors, textures, shapes and want to create images. My trickster wants you to wonder: "What is that?"
- to note the multiple times my intention was to show appreciation for something I read online but then failed. Don't be like me.
- to observe the political climate and anguish over the deep divisions between people; remain clear this is not political blog.
If you continue to explore the mystery expect fitness tips, seeing me as I am and inspiring tidbits from the treasure of books I've amassed. A common denominator: evolution.
I'd love to know what you have given birth to in the last nine months. What mysteries have you encountered and explored? Email me or use the challenging-to-find comment section so others can see your reaction. We learn from each other.
New photo on blog shows what I do after taking down my shingle. Please check it out by clicking on the underlined link at the bottom of this email or click on Exploring the Mystery .
Thanks for reading.
Nicky Mendenhall
