An ethical comment on "quitting" this life. Posted by John on November 15, 1999 at 11:40:57:
In Reply to: Re: First Post posted by Sally on November 13, 1999 at 19:41:03:
The ethical foundation of the Plains Indians' spiritual practice was
simple and direct. "Don't lie, and don't quit."
So, I won't lie to you, Sally, It's time for a change. I'd like for
you to get over not being happy about living. But you must make the
choices to do that on your own. Over the last year you and I have
become friends for life—I can't think of any more fitting way of putting
my experiences of it than that. What the hell kind of "lifetime
friendship" do I get out of it, woman, if you are thinking about
quitting this life? I don't wish to go through that pain, so please
don't do that.
We all have these feelings at times. I have, too. You saw how tough I
talked to Douglas. I talk that tough to you here now. And you will
talk that tough to others caught in that pattern of life-denying
suffering in your own day when you are the teacher.
Hardships don't disqualify your authenticity in becoming a teacher,
Sally. You don't have to be ashamed about that. And yet, it's good
that you are modest! Hardships are the path to becoming a teacher.
You've been having as good a path for learning that as anybody, lol.
And you deserve to see a little more of the peaceful and harmonious side
in your life, as well. You've earned it! And you're a natural for it.
That too will come in its time.
And besides . . . . . if you'd quit this life ahead of time, you'd miss
out on the next wonderful thing that's coming along, you wouldn't have
the joy of the next big surprise that's just around the bend. Like . .
. . this is gonna be a real mind-bender, Kiddees! Don't miss it!
Coming towards the end of this week! Awesome surprises!
I am breaking out a section of that long, long class I told you about,
to make a separate class that is called "An Existential Tribute to
Scholarly Genius." It's about the experiences I have had, regarding my
boyhood idol, Albert Camus, upon reading that sharing that Douglas
posted last month about Camus' novel, "The Plague." Camus was my idol
long before I knew anything about mindfulness. For the first time in my
long life, I've been able to have the deep, deep satisfaction of knowing
in my heart, for sure, that my boyhood idol was, indeed, a practitioner
of mindful awareness . . . thanks to Douglas's scholarly genius. Can
one ask any more of a scholar than that?
I'm still working on that long class, too. Sorry to keep some of you
waiting. I may post it in pieces soon, so that I can get on with it.
I'm trying to proceed at a "steady and casual" pace this time around.
Please bear with me. I'm still learning, and just getting used to being
a "tough old man" who can do this work, week-in and week-out.
And . . . . . Hello, everybody! Welcome to the new week! I feel an
even greater excitement about our class this time than in previous
semesters.
Coach
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Archived February 13, 2000