Category Archives: Overcome Difficulties

Positive Unrest

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See the rabbit in this picture?

There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and it will be lost. The world will not have it.

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space in this picture

It is not your business to determine how good it is nor how valuable nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work.

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…and a dragon in this one.

You have to keep yourself open and aware to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open. … No artist is pleased. [There is] no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a queer divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the others

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From The Life and Work of Martha Graham

Always we must be disturbed by the Truth. That’s a kind of positive unrest.

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Suicide In The Family Or No

Observation tells us that suicide runs in families, though whether the cause is nature or nurture is harder to know. For myself, I can say that my mother’s suicide has given me knowledge – unwelcome knowledge, but knowledge nonetheless. One element of that knowledge is the possibility of suicide. Like drink to an alcoholic, it is always there in the background, always an option. But another part of that knowledge is an understanding of the actuality of suicide and its consequences for those left behind.

From ‘Tell the boys I loved them’, in the Guardian earlier this month.

Thanks to Do They Hurt, and my walking companion, for pointing out this article. It’s thought provoking, for those who have a suicide in their family or no.

A couple of years ago I did a funeral for somebody who hung himself. Ones heart goes out to all who have to embrace the chilling fact of suicide. And live with the chill for the rest of their lives. Yes, suicide brings a chill, and raises Great Compassion too.

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Ponderings Autism

Definition of Autism – (psychiatry) an abnormal absorption with the self; marked by communication disorders and short attention span and inability to treat others as people.

I suspect the sentiments expressed below are echoed by many. Thanks to Jade for sharing her thoughts. Much appreciated.

Monday 30 March 2009

Dear Rev. Master Mugo,

Am sending this to your personal email address rather than posting it as a comment on your blog because blog comments ought to be brief, and I sometimes tend to ramble a bit. Of course if any of this you think might be of interest to other readers of your blog, and you want to use it there, please feel free.

Thank you for your blog entry about Amanda Baggs. I was especially taken with her saying that her (perhaps to others) puzzling behavior is her way of interacting with her world, and that it is just as valid a language, a means of communication, as is our way of speaking and interacting. The thought occurred to me that each and every one of us has our own unique way of perceiving and interacting with our world. The differences between our perceptions and natural interactions and those of our peers may be infinitesimal, but they are there. From birth on, we are taught, trained, forced, (the word “herded” comes to mind) to see the “real world,” and interact with it, in the same way as other members of our group. And, indeed, we strive to comply, and usually attain in our striving. But I wonder. Unquestionably, we benefit from learning to function productively and acceptably within our group, but for every benefit there is a cost. As we grow up and learn to perceive, behave, and communicate in the ways prescribed for us, does our ability to perceive and respond to true reality wither in inverse ratio? I think it does. I guess that’s why training on the Buddha’s Way is so hard sometimes. The autistic person unquestionably deserves our compassion, patience, and help, but also I think they have invaluable lessons to teach us if we will only be open enough to learn.

Rev. Master Mugo, are you familiar with Temple Grandin and her work? Dr. Grandin is a Professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado, an author, and lecturer. She is also, and has been all her life, an autistic. Granted she is what is referred to as a high-functioning autistic, but an autistic all the same. In addition to her work in her professional field of Animal Science, she also writes and lectures about autism, and has even invented a device to help autistic children find a place of calm in the conflict between their strong desire for, and overwhelming fear of, physical contact. Her being able to work and contribute to society isn’t unique. Many high-functioning autistics have successful careers, usually in mathematics or computer science or some field that requires minimal human interaction. What is unique about her is that she was the first autistic person who found a way to explain to the rest of us what autism is like from the inside. Her first book, “THINKING IN PICTURES,” is a frank and thorough account of what it was like growing up as an autistic person and coming to terms with her autism and building a useful and satisfying life for herself as a respected professional person in society. If anyone wants to begin to understand autism, this book is a good place to start.

Thanks to computers and patient, devoted caregivers who are willing and able to act as the interface between the autistic and the keyboard, more autistic persons are finding a way to reach across the communication divide and share their world with us. Several months ago, there was a documentary on TV about a young autistic woman, unable to speak, unable to sit completely still, insists on always having two plastic spoons to hold onto, etc. One of her caregivers found a way to understand which key on a keyboard, the young woman wanted pressed, and discovered that inside this “severely disabled” individual is a very intelligent and thoughtful person. With helpful caregiver and keyboard in tow, the young woman is attending regular classes and preparing to graduate from college. And yes, she still insists on holding her two spoons.

I wonder. Between those we impatiently designate as “disabled,” and we who arrogantly believe that we are competent to judge, which of us is really handicapped?

Rev. Master Mugo, thanks for letting me ramble. I hope this finds you in good health and enjoying life. When are you coming back to visit us again?

Take care.
In gassho,
Jade

For your interest – Chapter 1: Autism and Visual Thought, Thinking in Pictures by Temple Grandin.

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Waiting While Walking

Last evening I was talking to somebody about the difficulties and uncertainties of taking the next step. Pick up the mail? Or walk the dog first? Thats relatively easy. However when there’s a sense of a life change lurking in the background the prospect of lifting one foot, let alone bringing the other one along, seems impossible. Or can do. There is a call to make a change. What is the answer. Exactly?

I liken this situation to waiting at a bus stop. Waiting. Waiting for the bus to come. Perhaps it’s raining and, heck! any bus will do surely. Or will it? Still waiting. Maybe the direction of the bus is known, but not the time or the day. Would that be the 10.45 am to Garstang, via Trough ‘a Boland. Or, still waiting. Do I need to wait another three hours for the 1.45 pm, long distance, to Glasgow. And. Wait a moment. Is this the right stop? And the right day, or even year? Is the response right now to simply stay put until the rain stops, the clouds clear and the bus schedule is republished. In other words the answer to the call is to wait. Wait longer.

Taking the next step can be tricky especially when one doesn’t actually know what it is. There is a call yet the details are not audible. There’s no sense of when, where, what or how a move is to be accomplished?

And yet in life there is no standing still. Always there is the imperative for action. Perhaps the largest obstacle to acting in any given circumstance is fear on the one side and desire on the other. What’s a person to do?

Wait while walking on? Sit still, listen and walk? The move might be as simple as making a phone call. Lots of small steps add up.

This posting is for Ruth who’s taking a significant step in her life. Good fortune to you.

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Hearing Voices

He was quite a bit older than me. Six years. About that. At twenty he was told to give his money away. So he did. In the high street of our small town. He was hearing voices. What they told him to do he took literally. The doctors took the voices literally. 1960’s solutions were as they were. E.C.T – drugs – confinement. That became the story of his life. In and out, up and down, mostly unemployed. Raised a fine family.

Young and idealistic.
A phone call.
She tried to tell. To explain.
Stood in a red public phone box.
Shocked. Deeply touched.
Vowed to find a solution.
Hearing Voices.

It’s not uncommon for youngsters to make a silent promise. A response to a crisis. Sometimes the direction that takes is good, sometimes not so good. Glad to say my young vow matured and went towards the good. Found a so called solution within.

Glad to find that hearing voices is approached, by some, in a radically different way. Responding to the voices in a different way. A route paved with awareness, compassion and wise council.

He was my brother. He died June 2005. Bless him.

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