Tuesday, December 30, 2025

Tuesday, December 30, 2025

Nothing spiritually wonderous happened to me until my early fifties. Living with love of my life and our two beautiful and bright daughters, and a decade of teaching behind me I still felt something significant missing in my life. But I did not know what it was. The more I read and wrote, the more yearning I felt for the unknown. What was I searching for that felt absolutely real, true, deeper? 

I had discovered that at the core of major world religions is the lesson that to live a life of awareness, joy and contentment is to live simply and fully. A whole life, a holy life. The lesson seemed simple but was difficult to cultivate. Eventually, with enlightened audacity I developed a regimen of five practices with which you are now pretty familiar. The five disciplines included mindfulness meditation, journaling, walking, creativity and reading. The daily practice of these I named Writing Meditation Practice. The practice has guided me on a path that is stimulating, inspiring and spirited. As I tread on this path I continue to note areas where I can improve. 

Daily practice has made me realize that the primordial questions: Who am I? What is the purpose of my life? Where am I going? only beget more questions. I must learn to accept what is and live each moment fully. I must feel comfortably certain in uncertainty. 

After moving to the Retirement Community at Ashby Ponds I began leading a Meditation and Journaling class much appreciated by the residents who attend. The class has not only helped them but me as well. The Writing Meditation Practice has benefited us in going deeper within and experience the source of awareness, vitality and pure joy. Having experienced this joy, we recognize others who also have experienced or are learning to experience this inner peace. Such persons exude serenity, equanimity, and inner peace. It is possible for each and every one of us to experience such bliss and peace. For me the pleasure of stillness, kindness, and wisdom derived from the Writing Meditation Practice is closest to everlasting joy.