Posted December 16th, 2004 by sarah_inseattle(#9715)
Dear Nayak,
I was so touched, moved, and enlightened by your post. What a gesture
of self-offering! I am all gratitude to you, Nayak, for your post and
for your place in my family's and my spiritual journeys.
Isn't what you described the ultimate battle in life? In society at
large, people are always trying to find ways, big and small, to
anesthetize themselves to keep from feeling pain. Loneliness ---
separation from God--- is the ultimate pain. Addictions, habits,
relationships, people will try anything to keep from feeling that
loneliness. Ironically, aren't many bad "solutions" even culturally
sanctioned and commercially encouraged under the guise of taking care
of yourself/you deserve it? ("Have a drink!" "Oh, he has an important
job and he works so hard!" "Shop until you drop.")
Whether or not to turn on the TV outwardly seems like such a small
thing. Yet you had the presence to recognize the power of what lay
behind it, and the strength to take it as an opportunity to transcend
and use that moment to become closer to God.
And isn't the pain of loneliness one of people's most guarded
feelings? You have transcended that as well, allowing us precious
insight. What a gift.
Dear Nayak,
I was so touched, moved, and enlightened by your post. What a gesture
of self-offering! I am all gratitude to you, Nayak, for your post and
for your place in my family's and my spiritual journeys.
Isn't what you described the ultimate battle in life? In society at
large, people are always trying to find ways, big and small, to
anesthetize themselves to keep from feeling pain. Loneliness ---
separation from God--- is the ultimate pain. Addictions, habits,
relationships, people will try anything to keep from feeling that
loneliness. Ironically, aren't many bad "solutions" even culturally
sanctioned and commercially encouraged under the guise of taking care
of yourself/you deserve it? ("Have a drink!" "Oh, he has an important
job and he works so hard!" "Shop until you drop.")
Whether or not to turn on the TV outwardly seems like such a small
thing. Yet you had the presence to recognize the power of what lay
behind it, and the strength to take it as an opportunity to transcend
and use that moment to become closer to God.
And isn't the pain of loneliness one of people's most guarded
feelings? You have transcended that as well, allowing us precious
insight. What a gift.
I am all gratitude,
Sarah
Seattle