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Ecstatic Laundry
August 28, 2021
“What we plant in the soil of contemplation, we shall reap in the harvest of action."
Meister Eckhart
I recently returned to my summer home in Lily Dale, New York, from a five-day Arhatic Yoga workshop and retreat. A synthesis of the seven traditions of yoga, Arhatic Yoga was developed by the founder of Pranic Healing, Master Choa Kok Sui. Basically it is a system of spiritual practices to enhance and further one’s inner growth.
This training had been on my radar for five years, and it was life-changing. During the retreat I experienced everything that was promised: inner transformation, cleansing, joy, fellowship, spiritual lectures, growth, renewed inspiration, fun, blissful meditations, and healing.
But I’m not just basking in the afterglow, I’m doing laundry - literally and figuratively. Laundry is a satisfying task for this modern Western householder who also happens to be a Virgo: sorting, ironing, folding, putting away, ahhhh. Perhaps I was a laundress in a previous lifetime....
This training had been on my radar for five years, and it was life-changing. During the retreat I experienced everything that was promised: inner transformation, cleansing, joy, fellowship, spiritual lectures, growth, renewed inspiration, fun, blissful meditations, and healing.
But I’m not just basking in the afterglow, I’m doing laundry - literally and figuratively. Laundry is a satisfying task for this modern Western householder who also happens to be a Virgo: sorting, ironing, folding, putting away, ahhhh. Perhaps I was a laundress in a previous lifetime....
After the ecstasy, the laundry
This phrase became part of our common vernacular with the publication of Jack Kornfield’s illuminating book by the same title. Some people believe that walking a spiritual path is all about ecstatic experiences. And in a sense that is true. But in a truer sense, the spiritual path is what one does in-between peak experiences. The point is to integrate into daily life the wisdom and insights one receives in those flashes of inspiration.
During the retreat I spent a great deal of time “in the soil of contemplation” as Meister Eckhart alludes, and several seed ideas were planted - thank you, Spirit! Now, in order to “reap in the harvest of action” I need to tend my garden - to feed and fertilize, thin and train, weed and water, prune and pick.
Action as a key to mastery
Of the three pillars of creative manifestation - intention, attraction, and action - for me the key to mastery is action. My vision, mission, and objectives are crystal clear, and I am already “in the flow” of the sweet magnetic force which brings closer to me that which I am creating.
This week I’m experimenting with a schedule to integrate new spiritual practices into everyday life upon my return to Cincinnati next week. Committing to a daily and weekly routine is currently a challenge for me because discipline is not my strongest trait. But I will master this. Here are my commitments:
This week I’m experimenting with a schedule to integrate new spiritual practices into everyday life upon my return to Cincinnati next week. Committing to a daily and weekly routine is currently a challenge for me because discipline is not my strongest trait. But I will master this. Here are my commitments:
- I will start my days with these new practices.
- I will focus on strategic activities and tasks.
- I will begin with short time commitments, and increase them as I progress.
- I will make up any practices I miss.
- I will meet regularly with a support community of Arhatic Yoga practitioners.
- I will “choose once again” when I miss the mark.
Choose once again
Most importantly, when I miss the mark, I will remember these simple words (from A Course in Miracles, final chapter of the Text) that have helped me tremendously in life: “My brother, choose again.” I will pick myself up and keep going, I will try another way, I will begin over and over until I have mastered it. I will treat it as I would a distraction during meditation: as soon as I become aware that the mind has strayed, I simply continue with the meditation.
Do you see how these strategies can be applied to your life? To your own spiritual journey and personal goals? If you want to explore these concepts further, I can recommend two books that might help:
Do you see how these strategies can be applied to your life? To your own spiritual journey and personal goals? If you want to explore these concepts further, I can recommend two books that might help:
- Small Move Big Change: Using Microresolutions to Transform your Life Permanently by Caroline Arnold
- The One Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan
Or, if you’d like to delve even deeper and become highly proficient at creating a life you will love, consider scheduling a private coaching session with me. Over the past fifteen years I have helped thousands of people - helped them to navigate major life changes. To discover greater meaning and purpose in life. To explore meditation and other spiritual practices. To develop their intuition. To find fulfilling work and cultivate meaningful relationships. It’s what I love to do as an intuitive life coach and spiritual mentor.
Harvesting at Inner Compass
And now I’d like to share with you some bounties from the Inner Compass garden, which I have been tending while at my cottage in Lily Dale, New York. You may think I’ve been dillydallying around (and I’ll admit to doing a little of that) but I’ve also been creatively active, and these are the pickings from our late-summer harvest:
- Mediumship Development Circle
- Spirit Speaks Weekend Intensive
- Mediumship Mastery Program Year One
- Fall Equinox Celebration
- How to Lead a Development Circle
- Inner Vision Quest
- Pranic Healing Level One featuring guest instructor Stephanie Toney
Many of our offerings are being held in person at our offices in Cincinnati, and you can be sure we will continue to follow CDC and Ohio rules and regulations for COVID-19. We also have a few online offerings now, and are also putting final touches on a brand new online community; it won’t be long before you can join us for more events no matter where you happen to be! As always, I hope that you’ll find something that you feel was created just for you.