This week in class we will be exploring Brahmacharya which translates to moderation, balance, "just enough" and proper application of your life energy. The places I see this in my life are as I learn to recognize balance, the place of not too much and not too little...."just enough". Just enough effort, just enough food, just enough socializing, just enough media/TV, sleep etc. Finding the sacred in the ordinary, in the simplicity of life....in walks, reading, gardening, drinking tea, doing yoga....in "being" instead of "doing" is another way I practice Brahmacharya. These practices ground and center me, literally help me grow roots to the ground which brings energy to my life. Overdoing and pushing past boundaries takes me out of balance and depletes my life energy. These practices are my life's work, each time I make a choice toward balance and "enoughness", I increase my energy and ability to continue down that well-worn path.
The things you do not have to say, make you rich.
Saying things you do not have to say weakens your talk.
Hearing things you do not need to hear, dulls your hearing.
And things you know before you hear them — those are you, those are why you are in the world.
-William Stafford
WALK DON’T RUN
Walk, don’t run.
That’s it.
Walk, don’t run.
Slow down, breathe deeply,
and open your eyes because there’s
a whole world right here within this one.
The bush doesn’t suddenly catch on fire,
it’s been burning the whole time.
Moses is simply moving
slowly enough to see it. And when he does,
he takes off his sandals.
Not because
the ground has suddenly become holy,
but because he’s just now becoming aware that
the ground has been holy the whole time.
Efficiency is not God’s highest goal for your life,
neither is busyness,
or how many things you can get done in one day,
or speed, or even success.
But walking,
which leads to seeing,
now that’s something.
That’s the invitation for every one of us today,
and everyday, in every conversation, interaction,
event, and moment: to walk, not run. And in doing so,
to see a whole world right here within this one.
-Rob Bell