A life of spiritual intentions
I often – daily – challenge myself to clearly state my spiritual intention for the day. I remind myself and others that I do not need to make this challenge unrealistic or complicated. Pema Chodron, the Buddhist nun, reminds one that one’s spiritual intention may be as simple as enjoying a cup of coffee rather than mindlessly drinking it without enjoying it.
If I am not intentional it is very easy to allow the day to just happen to me rather than taking responsibility for making choices for setting goals and doing my best – just for today – to live up to those goals.
As a young man, it often felt as if life just happened to me. Other people told me what they thought I should do or I reacted to whatever came along. In this way, I “ended up”, for example, enlisting in the United States Navy. Later I “ended up” as a Midshipman at the U. S. Naval Academy studying naval engineering. Much of my life was spent reacting to situations in which I “ended up” being the passive actor. Obviously, I did not just end up in places and situations. I actively or passively made choices which led to my being in certain places or situations.
The extent of my spiritual intention at that stage of my life might have been a prayer which stated, “Please God don’t let me commit sin X today.” or “Please God help me have purer thoughts today.” In other words, often the closest I got to a spiritual intention was to pray or wish that I would not displease God.
Individuals who are using the 12-step recovery program to free themselves of active addiction so that they can live a life of which they can be proud, often begin with the desire to be free of the obsession to use or to resist the obsession to use for the next ten minutes. One is not, at that stage of recovery/spiritual growth, concerned with accomplishing anything other than not using. If they are successful with this initial stage of recovery they will begin to set very clear, positive spiritual goals.
Those not in recovery for whom life is just happening may not be presented with such a clear challenge as the 12-step program to live a life of daily spiritual goals. One may not realize that one has the opportunity to let go of past hurtful behavior and move on to a purposeful life.
For me being successful is not about making money although I would rather not be homeless or go hungry. Neither it is about becoming famous, being responsible for world peace or even being exceptional. It is about intentionally showing up and being the kindest, most loving and most responsible person I can be today. Sometimes, at Pema Chodron suggests, just be grateful for a cup of coffee, the smile of a friend, or to share a smile with a friend is as successful as I need to be. Life does not have to happen to me. Today, assuming the absence of dementia or other diseases which affect my ability to make decisions, I am free to be intentional about the person I want to me. Life will still show up but I can choose my how I want to respond.
Written August 4, 2018
I often – daily – challenge myself to clearly state my spiritual intention for the day. I remind myself and others that I do not need to make this challenge unrealistic or complicated. Pema Chodron, the Buddhist nun, reminds one that one’s spiritual intention may be as simple as enjoying a cup of coffee rather than mindlessly drinking it without enjoying it.
If I am not intentional it is very easy to allow the day to just happen to me rather than taking responsibility for making choices for setting goals and doing my best – just for today – to live up to those goals.
As a young man, it often felt as if life just happened to me. Other people told me what they thought I should do or I reacted to whatever came along. In this way, I “ended up”, for example, enlisting in the United States Navy. Later I “ended up” as a Midshipman at the U. S. Naval Academy studying naval engineering. Much of my life was spent reacting to situations in which I “ended up” being the passive actor. Obviously, I did not just end up in places and situations. I actively or passively made choices which led to my being in certain places or situations.
The extent of my spiritual intention at that stage of my life might have been a prayer which stated, “Please God don’t let me commit sin X today.” or “Please God help me have purer thoughts today.” In other words, often the closest I got to a spiritual intention was to pray or wish that I would not displease God.
Individuals who are using the 12-step recovery program to free themselves of active addiction so that they can live a life of which they can be proud, often begin with the desire to be free of the obsession to use or to resist the obsession to use for the next ten minutes. One is not, at that stage of recovery/spiritual growth, concerned with accomplishing anything other than not using. If they are successful with this initial stage of recovery they will begin to set very clear, positive spiritual goals.
Those not in recovery for whom life is just happening may not be presented with such a clear challenge as the 12-step program to live a life of daily spiritual goals. One may not realize that one has the opportunity to let go of past hurtful behavior and move on to a purposeful life.
For me being successful is not about making money although I would rather not be homeless or go hungry. Neither it is about becoming famous, being responsible for world peace or even being exceptional. It is about intentionally showing up and being the kindest, most loving and most responsible person I can be today. Sometimes, at Pema Chodron suggests, just be grateful for a cup of coffee, the smile of a friend, or to share a smile with a friend is as successful as I need to be. Life does not have to happen to me. Today, assuming the absence of dementia or other diseases which affect my ability to make decisions, I am free to be intentional about the person I want to me. Life will still show up but I can choose my how I want to respond.
Written August 4, 2018
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