We are one-quarter of the way through the moon cycle. The moon is waxing - growing in light and energy, creating a time for decisive action. I use this July quarter moon's energy to help me to discern my Truth and then act on it; this requires some discipline.
The ancient Stoic philosophers used discipline as a tool in their journey towards a life lived well. Epictetus listed three disciplines: Amor Fati, or the loving acceptance of one’s fate, which was for living in harmony with the nature of the universe as a whole; Hormê, or the impulse to ethical action, for living in harmony with humans; and Sunkatathesis, which is mindfulness, for living in harmony with our own essential nature, with reason and truthfulness in both thoughts and speech.
I long for better discipline - to give me stability and structure, and help me to be responsible; to allow me to keep promises to myself and to others, and maintain the integrity and self-control that I want; to empower me to grow and reach my dreams. But hope this growth should lead to a transcendent state where I no longer rely on discipline because I love and understand myself enough to follow the right path naturally!
Agenda:
1. Journal queries
1. Journal queries
1. Journal queries:
The Stoic philosophers were famous journal keepers:“We should every night call ourselves to an account; What infirmity have I mastered today? What passions opposed? What temptation resisted? What virtue acquired? Our vices will abort of themselves if they be brought every day to the shrift.” ― Seneca
Today, at the first quarter moon, I prepare to give full effort to my priorities.
What potential challenges and obstacles do I face this week and month (things I don’t enjoy, don’t know how to approach, or feel blocked on)? How can I best meet these challenges?
What do I need to help me shine through the clouds?
From my journal: The challenges I face this month are all internal. I have the skills and the materials to complete all my goals, but I'm going to need a whole lot of persistence! I need some of that Hormê - impulse to ethical action. But really, that impulse comes from my inner Spirit of Truth and Love, and I trust that it will be there when I need it.
2. Read "Repacking Your Bags":
I'm studying the book "Repacking your Bags; Lighten your Load for the Good Life" by Richard Leider and David Shapiro, third edition. Chapter 7 is The Freedom of the Road.
The authors talk about Victor Frankl and "tragic optimism", a phrase that is so relevant in our "current era of crisis and uncertainty ... (now) often expressed as resilience." Frankl was convinced that even when every bit of self control is taken away from you it's still possible (and imperative) to find meaning in life. The authors ask, how many of us are exercising our courage and curiosity on a regular basis?
The authors talk also about the ongoing struggle in each of us between freedom and security - that our work lives can make us feel trapped. We can find the "freedom of the road" by shifting our perspective: It's not that we don't have enough time, but that we don't have enough of the kind of time we want. We have two options: Increase our income to buy more time, or simplify to own more time. They suggest that we ask ourselves regularly, "How much is enough?"
"Simplicity is not a static condition that you can possess. It is an ever-changing art, the art of having less and being more."
They go on to suggest a fast from media and / or a vacation from words as ways to reboot your life.
3. Make a full effort plan:
I have two large tasks before me this month:
Next week I'll go to our Quaker Annual Session, in person for the first time in two years, and (among other things) work all week to write the Epistle (a letter to other Quakers explaining what we did).And then near the end of the month I'll lead arts and crafts for all ages at the park, for our area neighborhood picnic, also very much in-person and public.
Here's my full effort plan for Annual Session:
- Start now to read and write on the theme: Deep Hope in Optimystical Times, and the suggested book, Thomas Kelly's A Testament of Devotion
- Also, read all of the minutes we are seasoning and meditate on them.
- Connect soon with the other two epistle writers, and set up for online writing.
- Say NO to all other requests for help. I'm full up with responsibility.
- Pack one novel and one daily reading book; a laptop for daily writing; and a sewing project.
- Stay outside as much as possible, for covid safety and mental sanity.
- My mantra is "Listen well, go slow, take care".
4: Write a Mission Haiku:
My missions are my various big projects or directions in life. Today I'm thinking about my mission to "share my skills and joys generously, and volunteer in my community," because I'm going to be doing a lot of that this month.
I'll write it as a haiku, because a poem has a unique ability of getting to the core of a Truth, and I'm always surprised by what surfaces. Here's the steps I use:
1. Write a brief, evocative sentence or two describing this top mission in my life, and the significant issues that surround it:
Generous sharing in my community requires a wide open kind of love. I need to be present and patient, and let down my defenses (and, at the same time, be aware of my limitations and take care of my self). And I need to have impeccable integrity with my words and actions.
2. List the most exciting or pleasing verbs that describe what I want to do with this mission:
Inspire, create, play, giving, grow my community, deep listening
3. Next, list some core values that go with this mission:
Community / Unity, Witness, Purpose, Integrity, Love, Creativity, Celebration and Play
4. Turn these sentences, verbs, and values into a haiku, an unrhymed poetic form consisting of 17 syllables arranged in three lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables respectively (or a Cinquain, which is five lines, with 2, 4, 6, 8, and 2 syllables), that gets to the core of my mission, and gives me a framework for my actions.
Listen;
Share skills and joys;
Prepared, present, open-
Unity in community.
Blossom.
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