Finding our way to The Way one situation at a time. I don't know how great it will be, but I expect it will be interesting, and I look forward to it going on past all reason because wonder is just that way. Are you coming or not?
I invite you to take up the practice of dropping into the silence (emptiness, stillness) at various points throughout each day without interrupting what you are doing. This is a simple matter of doing what you are doing while being intently aware of opening yourself to HOW you are doing it.
Attend your attention and your emotional reaction to what's what here, now, with the intention to distance yourself from the goings on and shift over into the way of, in the Buddha's words, "Peaceful abiding, here, now."
Focus on just doing what is called for in each moment without emotional reaction to the moment. If someone cuts you off in traffic, just observe what happened and what responses you are making without being pulled into the moment, but remaining apart from the action by observing the action and how you are dealing with it. Concentrate on doing what is called for without embellishing anything.
We can remain calm and deal smoothly with what is going on just by observing what is going on and being aware of what is needed when, where and how and doing what is called for, as you would if you were returning serve in a tennis game.
Distancing ourselves from the action by being aware of the action and doing what is necessary spontaneously, automatically, is a wonderful way of "peaceful abiding, here, now." And a fine way of being here, now, moment by moment for the sake of the moment all our life long.
I'm retired, and still finding my way--but now, I don't have to pretend that I know what I'm doing.
I retired after 40.5 years as a minister in the Presbyterian Church USA, serving churches in Louisiana, Mississippi and North Carolina. I graduated from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, in Austin, Texas, and Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana. My wife, Judy, and I have three daughters, five granddaughters, one great granddaughter, and a great grandson on the way, within about ten minutes from where we live--and are enjoying our retirement as much as we have ever enjoyed anything.
View more posts
2 thoughts on “November 05, 2025”
I love this! It reminds me of several things used in some mental health groups I attended a few years ago in Los Angeles.
The first thing is when you are in a negative reaction to what’s going on around you (cut off in driving, anger management issues, things that depress you) envision telling yourself “Don’t take the can!” – we had an empty coffee can to illustrate that. It means give yourself time to mentally see yourself stepping back from the can in front of you so you don’t engage in immediate situation/emotion.
The other concept was called being aware of the “thought stories” you tell yourself. Let’s say you imagine a negative conversation with a family member, friend, boss, etc. But you need to remind yourself that this is a “thought story.” You are feeding yourself a fake “story” – the words of the other person are not real – you are imaging the conversation in your head. The conversation lacks feedback from the real person, so they are useless to you. In fact, you may base an action you take on a story you’ve created in your mind that lacks valid feedback from that person.
These concepts are hard for me to put into words, but I had 15 years of classes that reinforced these ideas. My words don’t do them justice. I hope they relate to your post.
These are beautiful guide rails for our meandering daily path through the events and circumstances that give rise to other events and circumstances all day, every day. They offer direction, focus and purpose, putting us in “the driver’s seat” guiding our life into balance and harmony by hearing, seeing, knowing what’s what and doing what is called for here, now throughout the day, every day. Thanks for your comment!
Jim Dollar's Photography and Philosophy 
I love this! It reminds me of several things used in some mental health groups I attended a few years ago in Los Angeles.
The first thing is when you are in a negative reaction to what’s going on around you (cut off in driving, anger management issues, things that depress you) envision telling yourself “Don’t take the can!” – we had an empty coffee can to illustrate that. It means give yourself time to mentally see yourself stepping back from the can in front of you so you don’t engage in immediate situation/emotion.
The other concept was called being aware of the “thought stories” you tell yourself. Let’s say you imagine a negative conversation with a family member, friend, boss, etc. But you need to remind yourself that this is a “thought story.” You are feeding yourself a fake “story” – the words of the other person are not real – you are imaging the conversation in your head. The conversation lacks feedback from the real person, so they are useless to you. In fact, you may base an action you take on a story you’ve created in your mind that lacks valid feedback from that person.
These concepts are hard for me to put into words, but I had 15 years of classes that reinforced these ideas. My words don’t do them justice. I hope they relate to your post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
These are beautiful guide rails for our meandering daily path through the events and circumstances that give rise to other events and circumstances all day, every day. They offer direction, focus and purpose, putting us in “the driver’s seat” guiding our life into balance and harmony by hearing, seeing, knowing what’s what and doing what is called for here, now throughout the day, every day. Thanks for your comment!
LikeLiked by 1 person