Human beings tend to like structure. It makes life make more sense and eases the mind from the task of making decisions. The structure is in many ways, parental. It provides some necessities for our life that we may tend to overlook or skip over.
This blog is an example of structure, it begins on February 13th and ends on March 31st. The mind tends to relax when it has a marked beginning and marked ending. The uncertainty of the time of death is one of the reasons death disturbs us. But in this case, we have a definite beginning and a definite ending. So, relax. The structure is a support to your spiritual life.
There is no need to see the 40 days as a competition with yourself. It's perhaps kinder to consider the 40 days as a course of training that may influence and help you in your spiritual work. Spiritual life includes work much like everything else, but it's not drudgery. It's actually illuminating.
If it helps you, you may decide to make contact or make a comment in order to help you hold yourself accountable to your spiritual work. It's not necessary, but it might be helpful. The contact may be just a short, informal touch that reminds you that you have picked up this 40 day course of training your mind. But it's not required. It's up to you.
The work of spiritual illumination is mostly up to you because the work of spiritual illumination is with you and not with any one else. I say "mostly" up to you because there is no way to say exactly what might happen as you begin or continue to practice which suggests there are parts of spiritual illumination that remain, well...a mystery. All of the spiritual suggestions and tips that are offered from one person to another, however, are completely up to you. So this 40 day practice is yours to do or not. It's up to you.
Consider: Reflect on your daily life. Pick something to refine about how you live which will help answer this question: "What when you do it leads to eternal well-being?" Once you have picked something that answers this question commit to refining it for 40 days. You might want to share it in a comment if you feel it would be helpful to you.
Suggested Reading: Zen Gifts to Christians, Robert Kennedy, S.J., Zen Roshi.
Start by reading Chapter One. Don't read ahead.
If you did not receive an e-mail and would like to receive e-mails associated with this retreat please send your e-mail address to me at: marilyn.fischbach.gmail.com. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteBelow is a copy of the first e-mail.
Good morning...
There are a few housekeeping reminders for the upcoming retreat.
1. The retreat begins on Wednesday, the 13th.
2. Those who are local are welcome to attend a sitting and short talk on Friday morning from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. here at A Single Thread.
3. We will use e-mail throughout the retreat so if you do not want to be part of the retreat, please let me know and I will remove your e-mail from the list.
4. It is an open blog so you do not need any special signage to enter a comment and discuss the material. Please keep the comments focused on the retreat material.
5. There will be from time to time things to consider and perhaps do. Please be sure to read the blog carefully for your own practice.
6. And please be sure to read the first page if you have not done so.
7. If you have any questions, you may post the questions in a comment or send an e-mail.
Many blessings,
Marilyn