Aligning with Grace

What does a life well lived look like? Conversely, what are the characteristics of one that is wasted and squandered away? As I reflect more deeply on the meaning of life and death, I reviewed a Power Point presentation that my mother sent me recently of a poem attributed to Pablo Neruda , the Chilean poet who spent a portion of his life in exile, and who was also the subject of the wonderful movie, "Il Postino," in the mid-nineties, although some of my online research, disputed his authorship. Still, I was captivated by its message. I read between the verses of "Muere Lentamente" or "Die Slowly," and discovered a manifesto for living one's life as fully and completely as possible. I offer it here, in an adapted translation, as the perfect "book end" companion to my recent entries... Die Slowly The one who becomes a slave to habit, who follows the same routines every day, who never changes pace, and does not risk changing the color or style ...

Today I woke up feel very down, but in the morning I was reminded of the title of this blog - "Aligning with Grace" - which means in essence, to live from a place where we are always aligning with the Divine... I shared with my students this morning, that I do not always feel like I align with the Divine. One of them seemed very surprised I said this, because she felt that I do this. I gently noted, that I strive to align with the Divine for the most part in my words and actions, but that I know I often miss the mark... I was reminded of the importance of aligning with the Divine, as I read the daily update on my friend Lili Cunningham, who is transitioning. Her husband Bill, titled the post, "Turning to the Light." And I thought to myself, when we align with the Divine - we turn towards the light, as a sunflower does, which the update duly noted. My friend always did that, for she lived fully and deeply, in all her experiences and encounters. Now, in her slow and f...

I arise and step into a day of silence, for Tuesdays is often a hallowed gift to myself - a day that I allow to unfold in whatever way the Spirit moves and prompts... But today, I am filled with thoughts, and love, and prayers, for a friend who is transitioning, and I turn to read, as I have every morning now for weeks and months, the daily entry describing the details of her previous day... Today, all of us - near and far - who are following this journey, are praying, and standing vigil, knowing that the end is finally very near... I read today's posting, and find it heart-breaking, and though I am not physically present at her bedside, my heart is very much there. I find myself revisiting memories of happier days, as we began marriages, over 30 years ago, and had children, who have long since grown into adulthood... I visit the river which is quite and cold. A crest of waves literally frozen in place fascinates me, as a squirrel scampers about. I tell him to be careful, lest he c...

I awaken before dawn, before going off to teach, and take a moment to check in at my computer to read the daily blog posting, so beautifully and eloquently describing a friend's gradual transition from this life. Her husband lovingly documents this incredible journey, which has inspired and touched souls all over the world... I am moved to read, that despite having a day where my friend was largely unconscious, she rouses herself long enough, to sing the Beatles's song, "All You Need is Love," to the roomful of friends that have gathered there, to enfold her in their loving presence... I feel my heart swell, and almost break, for indeed, this simple song tells the greatest truth, and once again I realize, my friend is teaching me how to live, with passion and great abandon, and to acknowledge what is truly important, as she slowly slips away from this life... I also realize, that my friend is not only transmuting all vestiges of her ego into love, as her husband wisel...

The day is bitterly cold and windy, and armed with my ipod, I step into the deep winter morning that cuts like a knife, though the sunlight is shining brightly... I reflect on the fact that at 55, I have reached an age where my friends have started to die... I do not visit the river today, nor tread on its towpath, instead I navigate the walking path that ambles through different sections of my neighborhood, and which I have walked for nearly two decades of my life... I am deeply moved by the process of a friend who is not long for this world. She is truly teaching me how to live on so many levels... I wrestle with profound philosophical and theological questions during my brisk walk in the biting wind, recalling the night of "Faith and Worship," an ecumenical prayer service I attended last evening at Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School , where I had chaired the Theology Department for twelve years. I was moved by all of the panelists and their sharing, and most especia...

My life and schedule opened up unexpectedly this morning, given to me as a gift, so I made my way down to the river, which I had not visited since last week... The day before yesterday we had an ice storm, so schools were canceled. I tried to go out for a walk, but came back home after nearly killing myself in the process. But today, everything was melting, and the sun was shining through the clouds. I was down at the river a little later than I usually am - some time during the mid-morning, and the river was beautiful. It was warmer, and the sun was peaking through the clouds, and it felt delicious to turn my face towards it and soak in its healing rays. The ice covering the river seem more thin - and overhead I could hear the ice melting off of the trees, dripping onto the partially thawed ice on the grass as well. The air was fresh, and I filled my lungs with it. Overhead, two crows danced from one maple tree to the other, and then settled down. Soon, they were joined by a cacophony...

I've been thinking a lot about renunciation and detachment, and the process of letting go... Such things are never easy, and I wonder if they are ever fully learned, because they seem to arise as lessons we must re-visit over and over again... I attended a book club this weekend, and the selection chosen was Ram Dass' Paths to God: Living the Bhagavad Gita. I realize now, I was meant to read this book, because of some very specific lessons... I'll start off by saying that I've never been particularly drawn to Ram Dass or his writings, and I only heard him speak once, about six years ago. And while some parts of this book are genuinely dated, and stem from a series of lectures he delivered on the Gita in the seventies, there were still some parts that spoke to me, and to a number of things that I have been reflecting on these last few weeks... So, I have chosen to note some of these passages here. I could write a dissertation on each one of these passages - and on the n...