Dearest James,
I just wanted to restate how thankful I am for your swift and direct kick in the butt! I don’t know how I fell so far off life’s bandwagon, got lost in all its stuff. Even difficult things were easy until unsought circumstances landed very close to home, never letting up. Ever thankful for my mentor!
James: Always reluctant to accept occasional opportunities to kick, but when I’m forced, they inspire. I felt like saying something over the years, but advice should be opportune, or it queers the pitch. The wise should not unsettle the minds of the ignorant unless petitioned in a timely fashion. Ignorance hides our duty to ourselves and God, existence itself.
Sally: This kick wrapped me in a huge warm homey blanket. Since most of my “keeper” books (your books) are in storage owing to our move, I read postings on your website. The old website was great but the new one is AMAZING!!! I feast there daily.
It’s humbling to stop and reflect on how long it’s been since the truth has visited my mind. For years it was on vacation and now it’s back. The apparently existent self was real for many years and now it isn’t. Thoughts and feelings arise and subside in awareness; they do not belong to me.
James: The upside of this non-dual reality lets us avoid wasting time figuring out if we are responsible for anything at all and gestures toward the totality of existence, without which even tardigrades and dandelions would never be.
Yet one needn’t jet to unknown worlds when one gardens daily in the daily self. Happiness is freely given, and we drown in it with every passing thought, sailing right through turbulent seas unshaken. Chock full of useless childhood toys like materialist’s closets, drawers, basements, and garages, the hidden self hides the truth. But knowers know they never sought or found it. They wake up mornings pure as the driven snow. Looking in the bathroom mirror they think, “It’s nice being me. May God bless anyone who isn’t.” Relaxed and present, they face the day. Patterns emerge languidly from the shade and details refract brightly in the sun.
I spent over an hour figuring out how to install a new toilet seat yesterday, enjoying many failures. The old wooden seat set up in minutes. By God’s grace seat technology has moved on. I’m humbled and amazed! Sentient butts revel in warm water, warm winter air and wonderous pampering.
