Your Daily Gandhi

"In the attitude of silence the soul finds the path in a clearer light, 

and what is elusive and deceptive resolves itself into crystal clearness. 

Our life is a long and arduous quest after Truth."

Mahatma Gandhi

The Spirit Door New Blog

I have started a second blog, The Spirit Door, that will focus on dreams! Please take a moment to click on the link and become a follower. You will then receive all posts via email.

The Spirit Door: On the Nature of Dreams will be my third book slated for an early 2014 publication date. Stay tuned!

I will of course continue to post on the Flight of the Hawk blog as well.

Many Blessings,
Victoria

Your Daily Tao

Raw Silk and Uncut Wood

Stop being holy, forget being prudent

It'll be a hundred times better for everyone.

Stop being altruistic, forget being righteous,

people will remember what family feeling is.

Stop planning, forget making a profit,

there won't be any thieves and robbers.

But even these three rules

needn't be followed; what works reliably

is to know the raw silk,

hold the uncut wood.

Need little,

want less.

Forget the rules.

Be untroubled.

Translation by Ursula K. Le Guin

Tips for the Planet

Many of us talk about doing our part in changing the way we use our world's resources. 

Erica Sofrina has written a great article about what we can do in our homes to make a difference. Choose one and start today!

10 Tips for Creating a Zero Waste Home  (link)

Favorites from the Archives

Letting Go of Attachments

St. Francis of Assisi (1181-1226 ce) is credited with the saying “Wear the world like a loose garment." 

In order to be truly free, it is beneficial to cultivate a relationship to external events where clinging does not occur, and to see that anything outside of the self which is seen as providing security is temporal at best. This approach to life doesn't imply ambivalence or lack of participation, but rather suggests that it is when we become attached that we suffer as attachment lends itself to disappointment due to failed expectations.

The first step is becoming willing to let go of anything: people, objects, and expectations. We begin to let go of looking outside of ourselves for satisfaction and pleasure, understanding that our true sense of joy is within. And, contrary to what at first may seem as negative or indifference, letting go of our attachments creates the chance to experience life without imposing our hopes, needs, dreams, wants, desires, and expectations on others which then creates freedom all around. The freedom to choose, both for ourselves and for others.

Byron Katie wisely says "As long as we continue to resist reality we will suffer". When we wear the world like a loose garment we are accepting reality without the need to change it and this is where suffering ends and freedom begins.