Awake in the World

“I know the secret of silence,” Indian saint, Mahatma Gandhi wrote. In the silence the mind comes to rest and all of the pieces come home like bees to the hive. The senses gather themselves together and the fragments of our self return home to become whole. Silent practices or vows have long been staples in religious communities. Monasteries and convents may practice partial or total silence. But it’s also possible to make it a practice in daily life.

Choose an hour, half a day, an entire day or even a week and stay silent. It may require some up-front explanation to family, friends and colleagues, and you may need to make a badge to let cashiers and airport attendants know what you’re up to. But like fasting from food, fasting from speech is a profound way of self-observation. In the silence we become receptive and listen more. It’s easy to recognize the difference between being in constant output and production mode and moving into a space of silent receptivity. In this quiet space miracles can and do happen. It creates wonderful opportunities for self-discovery.

Choosing to not speak is a first step to silencing the mind. It also conserves energy and brings about a totally new perspective on the world and the people we encounter. Will you give yourself the gift of a period of silence? It will be an opportunity to discover who your truly are beneath the chatter.

Bio: Debra Moffitt is author of Awake in the World: 108 Practices to Live a Divinely Inspired Life. A visionary and teacher, she’s devoted to nurturing the spiritual in everyday life. She leads workshops on spiritual practices at the Sophia Institute and other venues in the U.S. and Europe. Her mind/body/spirit articles, essays and stories appear in publications around the globe and were broadcast by BBC World Services Radio. She has spent over fifteen years practicing meditation, working with dreams and doing spiritual practices. Visit her online at http://www.awakeintheworld.com.

“Life is a joy between two pains.” – Sai Baba

When times are tough, it seems they will last an eternity. We get so caught up in the worry and anxiety that it’s hard to see beyond to the better times up ahead. But those who have an anchor in spiritual life find it easier to pull themselves up, face the challenges and grow beyond them. In ancient times, a devotee of Buddha felt great anxiety at the Buddha’s imminent departure from his village. “I cannot bear life without you here,” he wept. “What will I do? I will be drawn into the extremes of suffering and joy and I will not be at peace.” The Buddha wrote some wise words on a paper. “When you are pulled by life into the extremes of joy or the lows of pain and worry, read this,” he said handing the man the paper. The man opened the note. It read, “This will not last.”

Though many of us dread change, it’s often a comfort to know that whatever we are doing right now will change. Whatever our life condition is in the present moment, it will transform. Absolutely nothing in this life remains unchanged. By anchoring to the divine essence beneath the shifting plays of life and remembering the words of wisdom, “This will not last,” we may move into a deeper, broader perspective.

With effort and a concentrated focus on spiritual life and doing the right thing as dictated by our conscience, the life situation will improve. It may not move in the direction we expect, but it will not ever be stagnant. Things can change for the better or for worse. Take comfort in knowing that you are working to do your best – and do it. Never expect the world to conform to your desires. The only sure way to weather the turbulent ups and downs is to remain focused on the Divine that is above you, below you, all around you and in you.

Bio: Debra Moffitt is author of Awake in the World: 108 Practices to Live a Divinely Inspired Life. A visionary and teacher, she’s devoted to nurturing the spiritual in everyday life. She leads workshops on spiritual practices at the Sophia Institute and other venues in the U.S. and Europe. Her mind/body/spirit articles, essays and stories appear in publications around the globe and were broadcast by BBC World Services Radio. She has spent over fifteen years practicing meditation, working with dreams and doing spiritual practices. Visit her online at http://www.awakeintheworld.com.

Trees. We rarely consider them, but without them we’d breathe at lot less easy! They give and give, even when we harm them. They give us oxygen, fruits and nuts. They provide shade to everyone. They open their limbs to birds, frogs and lizards. They never say, “I will give my shade only to those birds and creatures I like.” Or “My fruits are only for people who have a certain status and dress.” Even when we chop them down they offer us their wood for desks, furniture, pencils and homes. The sandalwood tree offers its fragrance even to the axe man.

The tree’s nature teaches us ways of wisdom. It has often been a symbol of spiritual life throughout many cultures. It’s not uncommon to see a tree at the center of a Muslim prayer rug or in an Islamic or Jewish sacred weaving. When the tree grows and thrives, it’s seen as representing the vibrant inner life of an individual and a culture. The notion of sacrifice and giving is at the heart of the tree’s teaching. Its nature is to give its harvest and shade equally to all and it teaches us of the power of treating all as one.

Sitting quietly in a grove of ancient oaks, in Southern France, I realized that the trees has seen the times of Napoleon and even farther into the past. They held a regal bearing and sheltered me from a rising storm blowing in from the Mediterranean. Often when I felt a desire for peace I would walk up the mountain side to find this hidden sacred grove. The trees were so powerful in their silence that they were as much a presence beside me as a human. It’s impossible to be lonely with trees as friends. They are always there for us, always willing to listen. Even though you may not want to hug trees, at least notice them for today. Pay attention and with a heart filled with gratitude, thank them for all that they give.

Bio: Debra Moffitt is author of Awake in the World: 108 Practices to Live a Divinely Inspired Life. A visionary and teacher, she’s devoted to nurturing the spiritual in everyday life. She leads workshops on spiritual practices at the Sophia Institute and other venues in the U.S. and Europe. Her mind/body/spirit articles, essays and stories appear in publications around the globe and were broadcast by BBC World Services Radio. She has spent over fifteen years practicing meditation, working with dreams and doing spiritual practices. Visit her online at http://www.awakeintheworld.com.

In the South of France the summer solstice is a time of celebration. In Antibes, a bonfire is lit to pay tribute to the summer sun. Crowds circle around it and brave people jump the fire. This festival harks back to ancient festivals that expressed gratitude for the light that grows crops, brings warmth and opens hearts to joyful moments. Once the bonfire diminishes and the flames become manageable, the fire becomes a rite of initiation. Those who feel courageous leap over the fire. Some people leap alone and others hold hands and fly together. It’s a sign of courage and confidence and an exuberant celebration of the power of light to give and sustain life.

This ritual unites a community of people both old and young and from many nationalities. For ages this ritual has taken place. It reaches far back into time, probably farther back than the ancient Greek ruins of the city. It connects us with ancestors who labored hard and long for rare moments of ease and comfort. This ritual holds symbolic power. It gives a sense of unity to those who observe and a sense of confidence to the few who decide to leap the flames.

Though the scientific, rational mind often denies that something as simple as lighting and leaping over a bonfire can make any difference, on a psychic level, we know that it has a profound impact. It can send a message to our deepest, highest Self that we have the courage to face fears and leap the fires and obstacles of life. In this we gain an inner courage and strength. Rituals like these have marked the stages of life in many cultures. Baptism, graduations, weddings, taking communion. These all mark both inner and outer changes of situation.

One of my favorite rituals is to burn away attachments and obstacles using fire. On a piece of paper I write what is in my way (usually an inner obstacle) and then I burn it in a safe place – outdoors by the beach, in a fire pit or in an oven safe pan on the terrace. The gesture is an outward manifestation of the willingness to release. It’s active, energetic and it can make a difference.

Everyone has rituals that appeal to them – from taking coffee before work, to lighting a candle before meditation. Rituals can also be a great way to connect families and establish traditions. What kind of ritual might help you to grow?

Bio: Debra Moffitt is author of Awake in the World: 108 Practices to Live a Divinely Inspired Life. A visionary and teacher, she’s devoted to nurturing the spiritual in everyday life. She leads workshops on spiritual practices at the Sophia Institute and other venues in the U.S. and Europe. Her mind/body/spirit articles, essays and stories appear in publications around the globe and were broadcast by BBC World Services Radio. She has spent over fifteen years practicing meditation, working with dreams and doing spiritual practices. Visit her online at http://www.awakeintheworld.com.