11 Comments

I enjoyed reading your essay, Asha. You ask, in conclusion, "Who do you bow to?" My answer: the earth. Knowingly or unknowingly I have always been bowing to, touching, reminding myself of whence I and all of us came - from the earth, from the incorporated star dust. The transcendent is not so much above and beyond in its limitlessness, its eternal presence as much as it is integral and indelible to every atom in existence. So when I first felt the grace of the Great Mystery present and powerful, and I bowed down to that, even then, my forehead touched the ground be it the fuzzy carpet, wooden floor or actual earth. When mindfulness became more of my practice, still bending forward to bow reminded me of that origin - that the threads of the carpet came from so many hands involved, so many plants and chemicals, the wood boards so much life, rain, air, clouds (Thich Nhat Hanh). It's all very humbling, literally grounding. And yes, it helps with integrity but none of that requires a belief in a Transcendent God. My husband is an agnostic and he reminds me in so many ways, that integrity requires only the recognition of one's effort to respond in a loving and generous way to the people and world. When one lies to oneself about that - or deceives others no amount of spiritual claims or religious affiliation can shore up integrity.

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I agree. A belief in a transcendent God is not required, but it sounds like both you and Stephen have a deep and transcendent love for the world. Thanks for weighing in. ❤️

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Glad you have this person. And glad you get to spend some time with her. ❤️

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Wow. This has been such a boost to me!!! It IS hard and it IS scary but without It I don't have a life. I've tried it that way and have ended up with a an avalanche of regrets.

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I have a best spirit soul friend who makes sense of the world for me to and it is the best and one of the longest lasting relationships in my life. We Get each other. We trust each other implicitly. I dread the day We are separated by death or disease. I do not know how any of us have been so lucky, or so blessed, as to have this kind of life saving, life defining friendship. I owe my sanity, survival, and much of my growth as a human being to their steady presence, unwavering love and witness, and the priceless opportunity to do the same for them.

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Too, not to.

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This was so lovely, Asha

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Also, for real, those cows WERE LOUD! 😂😂😂

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😂😂😂😂

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Oh, wow, I was so *not* expecting to see anything about me in the newsletter! This is such a honor! Thank you for your sweet words, and for seeing the best in me, too. And for being the *you* who you are and for being in this long journey with me. I can’t wait to see you and crack some butt jokes (see what I did there??? LOL!)! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

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It is a testament to you (and your sweet ass) that I’m already laughing. 😂❤️❤️❤️

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