“Everything can change in a moment; we have little control over the outer weather patterns as we make our way through the land-scape of a life. But we can become masters of the inner landscape. We can use what happens on the outside to change the way we function on the inside. This is the moral of the great teaching myths. The hero conquers a monster, the heroine completes a quest; the reward at the end was there all along the true self, the awakened consciousness. Joseph Campbell said, "What all myths have to deal with is transformations of consciousness. You have been thinking one way, you now have to think a different way. Consciousness is transformed either by the trials themselves or by illuminating revelations. Trials and revelations are what it's all about."
When we have been through a trial and survived it - or better still, transformed its terrors into revelations - then we begin to approach other adversities with a different attitude. Change and loss may still knock us off the horse, but soon we are back in the saddle, stronger and wiser than ever. As life progresses, and we continue to transform and refine our consciousness, we gain more insight and humility, greater strength of character, and deeper faith in the meaningfulness of life.”
Broken Open - How Difficult Times Can Help Us Grow by Elizabeth Lesser
Invitation: “…faith in the meaningfulness of life.”
More about Elizabeth Lesser and her other books and in Maria Shriver’s Sunday Paper.
We will meet for the Community Table Monday, March 17th at 4:30 PM ET. Contact us for information HERE.
We will begin our daily Shared Solitude: Embracing the gift of silence in community offered by our Courageous friend Emily - March 3rd through April 18th. See details on our Calendar HERE
Learn More About Circles of Courageous Commons HERE
I’ll never forget the day that I finally broke wide open and truly began to focus on mastering my inner landscape. A mentor said to me, “I know it feels painful and hard right now but never forget how lucky you are to truly come alive at such a young age. Most people walk around in the dark their entire lives”
Thank you for taking me back to that moment.
May I never forget where I came from and may I have the courage to reflect a little light to others along the way.
"Change and loss may still knock us off the horse, but soon we are back in the saddle, stronger and wiser than ever. As life progresses, and we continue to transform and refine our consciousness, we gain more insight and humility, greater strength of character, and deeper faith in the meaningfulness of life.” I am grateful for this insight and perspective from today's reflection. Thank you Jean and Pat for this daily dose of good medicine.