Musings from the Sanctuary: chaos
The following quote is from a Yoga book I’ve been reading. In spite of the chaos that continually invades my life, I do believe that there is a place inside…my spirit…where “stillness and abiding peace abide”. It is something I cling to when my illness starts screaming inside my head…reeking of despair. It’s not about hiding from the truth, but embracing the truth and allowing truth to wash away the chaos. Sometimes all we seem to be able to do is create a lot of noise, when silence and deep empathy is what is needed to provide healing and comfort.
“Despite illness of body or mind, in spite of blinding despair or habitual belief, who you are is whole. Let nothing keep you separate from the truth. The soul, illumined from within, longs to be known for what it is. Undying, untouched by fire or the storms of life, there is a place inside where stillness and abiding peace reside. You can ride the breath to go there. Despite doubt or hopeless turns of mind, you are not broken. Spirit surrounds, embraces, fills you from the inside out. Release everything that isn’t your true nature. What’s left, the fullness, light, and shadow, claim that as your birthright.”
Never allow your spirit to be broken! Ignore all the meaningless noise and focus on your own inner stillness. Share it with others. I, for one, hope that it is part of my birthright to use my own experiences to provide some comfort to others. Everyone wants the magic pill to make this disease go away…but, in the meantime, let’s do what we can to help each other out.
I hope you find peace and joy in your life,
Alan
I really like that. You know I feel like my life is filled with all kinds of chaos. When I feel really lost though, if I can get to that quiet place, I become more balanced, sturdier and the storms wash over me instead of knocking me flat on my face.
The hard part for me is getting to my quiet place. I'm one of those people who must be doing, doing, doing even if my body is crying out, "Quit!"
Also, it is common for people in so much pain, who have had their lives ripped apart my life changing events like a chronic illness, to be angry without realizing their anger or how loudly it can come across to others. I feel a lot of anger these days from all the struggles that I have. I feel that I've been cheated out of what my life could have been. I know I'm being dumped on or ignored by those whose job is supposed to be to help others. All of that churns up inside. It makes chaos. The trick is not to let the chaos grow like an overwhelming storm that destroys and hurts others.
Well put, Alan! Thanks for the reminder and positive encouragement!
God Bless! Laura
Luda, that's not shallow. That's cool. Being creative is a perfect way to find calm. I know in some of my craziest times during my life, that's when I did the most peaceful paintings.
And, what's better than have a pooch to understand about taking it easy. Dogs know more about being laid back than almost any other creature.
Deanna, I'm glad to hear that you a painter also. I think there's somebody else who is a painter on this boardThanks for your comments...very insightful and compassionate. I think we often get caught in a vicious cycle: chronic illness leads to pain and discomfort, leads to chaos, leads to stress and fear, causes illness to get worse...and round it goes! Breaking out of that cycle can be very difficult. I have to admit I haven't found an answer that allows me to set it all aside and find peace...the reality of my illness is always there in the background. What I have found is that it often just takes a little reduction in stress and fear to slow and eventually break the cycle...and that I can accomplish. For me, I practice yoga, prayer, and meditation. It calms me and helps me to see my illness from a broader perspective...not perfect peace by any means...but enough to start breaking the cycle. By the way, denial never works...it actually feeds the stress and fear...facing the truth is always better.
Alan
Linda K is an art teacher. Alan is a poet and muscian as well as a physicist (sp?). There are several other artists and writers. Linda B and VickiLee are our travelers. We have lots of nurses and hope to be nurses.
There are just too many cool people here.