My Heartsongs

A few specific, realistic commitments for 2021 remind us of the power of intention as a force for good—especially when they involve self-care, or altruistic actions towards other beings. They help us remember the everyday beauty that makes existence not only livable but infused with joy.

Greatness resides in trust. G R I T. This little acronym came to me in those subtle moments between sleeping and waking. Grit seems to be a combination of perseverance and determination, fueled by passion and a mindset willing to explore one’s edge—a we are here to grow and evolve perspective. When I reference trust in the context of true grit, I am speaking about its trifold dimension: trust other humans, trust God or the Universe, and trust oneself.

This is a time to be true to my own solitude and the secret knowledge it harbors from whatever storms swirl about in the outer world. Beyond the notions of ‘to thine own self be true’ and 'trust thyself', and 'the unexamined life is not worth living', what also emerges for me is a deep appreciation for all who have nurtured me along the way.

As I record this, the first doses of the heavily guarded Pfizer vaccine are being shipped across the country from their Michigan production facility, targeted initially for health care workers and at-risk elderly. I want to explore a number of issues relating to the vaccine that I believe are important for folks to understand.

Rudolf Steiner, founder of the Waldorf method of instruction, speaks of Human's Twelve Senses and their relation to Imagination, Inspiration, and Intuition. I believe that feeling the miracle rhythms of our senses aids the process of metanoia, a change in one's way of life resulting from spiritual conversion, a transformative opening of the heart. Such radiance is always relevant to our journey, more so when battling pandemic fatigue and full catastrophe.

What does the current condition of the world and the pandemic have to teach us? What lessons keep repeating until we really grok them? Rules for Being Human here: (copy and paste in your browser)

https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1a4a46_ec637daa47264e118b74e8cb4350e724~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_510,h_676,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01/10%20Rules%20for%20Being%20Human.webp

There is a huge body of scientific evidence about the healing powers of music. Even just listening to it stimulates many astounding beneficial effects. Recover faster post surgery, heal more quickly physically and cognitively from a stroke, lighten depression, reduce anxiety, improve sleep, calm road rage, boost energy. Children who play instruments do better at math and learning languages. We all intuitively know it helps us chill, and is good for body mind spirit.

We are without doubt in an apocalyptic time. The Latin word apocalypsis refers to a disclosing, a revelation. How to summon our inner juju, mojo, duende in order to stay balanced? Without getting too esoteric, abstruse, arcane, or obscure, I have been playing with these four ideas…

 

I am exhausted by the many rapidly radicalized adherents to online cults with fringe fulminations, tired and disappointed by all the superior and know-it-all mien of conspiracies. It seems so many in our world feel alienated, which makes them ripe to acquire an unquestioning faith in the veracity of any cause that offers them a chance to vent their frustrations. I am keeping my fingers crossed that we come together as a nation, with respect for each other and our differing ideas about how to solve the problems confronting us.

Freedom involves the precious gift of choice, and the power to change both our internal perceptions and external circumstances. Shenpa, a Buddhist concept, drags us out of the present into a painful habituated past. Seeking relief from such unease, we crave comfort via food, sex, shopping, alcohol or other drugs, or even work: pick your favorite habitual hook that keeps one trapped.