What do you believe?
Some people believe what their parents taught them or what they learned in school. Others, like myself, believe based on experience. I’m actually writing a book about all of my spiritual aka connected experiences that I’ve had since a child. Now I’m doing this project BibleRoadTrip.tv where I’m reading the book that has spawned so much hate and love in the world. As I work on a TV pilot that has loads of Bible quotes and write a book about my own experiences, I thought it’d be a perfect time to tackle this big reading adventure.
As we go on this road trip, our days are pushed forward out of the kindness and support of others. Since the day we left, all of our gas, food and lodging has been covered by those who are following us. I wrote a post about how I was moved to tears with gratitude for those who support all of my projects. Last night I reached for my favorite book that I always carry with me, Shambhala: The Sacred Path of the Warrior
Tenderness contains an element of sadness. It is not the sadness of feeling sorry for yourself or feeling deprived, but it is a natural situation of fullness. You feel so full and rich, as if you were about to shed tears. Your eyes are full of tears, and the moment you blink, the tears will spill out of your eyes and roll down your cheeks. In order to be a good warrior, one has to feel this sad and tender heart. If a person does not feel alone and sad, he cannot be a warrior at all. The warrior is sensitive to every aspect of phenomena – sight, smell, sound, feelings. He appreciates everything that goes on in his world as an artist does. His experience is full and extremely vivid. The rustling of leaves and the sounds of raindrops on his coat are very loud. Occasional butterflies fluttering around him may be almost unbearable because he is so sensitive. Because of his sensitivity, the warrior can then go further in developing his discipline. He begins to learn the meaning of renunciation.
In ordinary sense, renunciation is often connected with asceticism. You give up the sense pleasures of the world and embrace the austere spiritual life in order to understand the higher meaning of existence. In the Shambhala context, renunciation is quite different. What the warrior renounces is anything in his experience that is a barrier between himself and others. In order words, renunciation is making yourself more available, more gentle and open to others. Any hesitation about opening yourself to others is removed. For the sake of others, you renounce your privacy.
There’s another way to look at the Facebook privacy issues – be open, be available, be authentic. I love my life. Thanks for being a part of it.
Thanks to the HikingArtist for your lovely work.
