| Everything that is happening is ultimately for the good if we're willing to face it head-on and use our adversities for soul growth. ~Dr. Joan Borysenko~ |
LESSONS COMMENTARY: I have often felt that if pain is our greatest teacher, I want to drop the class.
However, it seems to be part of the human condition that we often learn much more for our painful
experiences than we do from our joyful ones. And the stark reality is that if we do not learn from Life’s
Lessons, history is bound to repeat itself.
This repetition of history can often be seen in our relationships. We seem to pick the same types of partners
over and over again, only to find it ending in the same horrible way. Many times we end up blaming the
other person, and go off and do it all over again. But as I have stated in other Healing Practices, we are
drawn to the familiar, rather than what is right for us. The purpose of this practice is to encourage you to
stop blaming and start looking at what the Universe is trying to teach you.
Of course, trying to find the lesson in the midst of the pain of chaos is no easy task; it takes practice. I have
found when my life seems to be spiraling into painful experiences, if I can just take a breath and ask, “What
is this situation attempting to teach me, or what am I suppose to learn from this?” eventually the answer
will come. At first, the answer may come slowly or as you become more skilled at asking, the answer can
come in a flash. Once the answer comes, you will be more accustomed to navigating through the painful
situation you find yourself in.
It is rhetorical to ask, “Why Me?” That question is rarely answered, and often based in a sense of self -pity.
It is useless to blame the person causing the pain, or to blame God, or even yourself. Playing “The Blame
Game” never teaches anyone anything at all, rather it usually adds to one’s suffering. It is more productive
to ask “What do I need to learn from this pain?” That question will move you forward into how to change
future situations, which will arise. Because, to paraphrase Aldous Leonard Huxley, “...it is not what happens
to you that matters; as much as it is what you do with what happens to you." And the most healing actions
are to learn from life, then change our futures for the better.
The only book suggestion I have for this practice is When Things Fall Apart, by Pema Chodron. Also, I would
strongly suggest you do what is called a “Life Review.” How this is done is through deep introspection;
looking back at your life experiences, painful and joyful, and writing down the lessons you have learned. You
can do this in the present as well. It will help you find some relief in your current situation if you look at life
more as an Earth School, which will open your consciousness to a “Higher Power Education.” lessening your
resistance to whatever comes into your life.
However, it seems to be part of the human condition that we often learn much more for our painful
experiences than we do from our joyful ones. And the stark reality is that if we do not learn from Life’s
Lessons, history is bound to repeat itself.
This repetition of history can often be seen in our relationships. We seem to pick the same types of partners
over and over again, only to find it ending in the same horrible way. Many times we end up blaming the
other person, and go off and do it all over again. But as I have stated in other Healing Practices, we are
drawn to the familiar, rather than what is right for us. The purpose of this practice is to encourage you to
stop blaming and start looking at what the Universe is trying to teach you.
Of course, trying to find the lesson in the midst of the pain of chaos is no easy task; it takes practice. I have
found when my life seems to be spiraling into painful experiences, if I can just take a breath and ask, “What
is this situation attempting to teach me, or what am I suppose to learn from this?” eventually the answer
will come. At first, the answer may come slowly or as you become more skilled at asking, the answer can
come in a flash. Once the answer comes, you will be more accustomed to navigating through the painful
situation you find yourself in.
It is rhetorical to ask, “Why Me?” That question is rarely answered, and often based in a sense of self -pity.
It is useless to blame the person causing the pain, or to blame God, or even yourself. Playing “The Blame
Game” never teaches anyone anything at all, rather it usually adds to one’s suffering. It is more productive
to ask “What do I need to learn from this pain?” That question will move you forward into how to change
future situations, which will arise. Because, to paraphrase Aldous Leonard Huxley, “...it is not what happens
to you that matters; as much as it is what you do with what happens to you." And the most healing actions
are to learn from life, then change our futures for the better.
The only book suggestion I have for this practice is When Things Fall Apart, by Pema Chodron. Also, I would
strongly suggest you do what is called a “Life Review.” How this is done is through deep introspection;
looking back at your life experiences, painful and joyful, and writing down the lessons you have learned. You
can do this in the present as well. It will help you find some relief in your current situation if you look at life
more as an Earth School, which will open your consciousness to a “Higher Power Education.” lessening your
resistance to whatever comes into your life.
REPEAT ASPIRATION EVERY DAY FOR 7 DAYS WEEK 1 ASPIRATION: Today, whatever arises in my day, I will look for what lesson may need to be learned from my experiences. SUPPORTS ~DAY 1~ Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood. ~Helen Keller ~DAY 2~ One of the many lessons that one learns...that things are what they are and will be what they will be. ~Oscar Wilde ~DAY 3~ Life will teach you the lessons; it is up to you to learn them. ~Unknown ~DAY 4~ If you always do what you always done, you'll always get what you always got. ~Unknown ~DAY 5~ [Psychoanalysis] is not the only way to resolve inner conflicts. Life itself still remains a very effective therapist. ~Karen Horney ~DAY 6~ Life brings you exactly what you need. ~Don Miguel Ruiz ~DAY 7~ REST AND REVIEW Now, without judgment review your week. This week there were times I was able to see the answers which life is trying to teach me. Now breathe in how it felt. Then breathe out the wish: May everyone share the education, which life has to offer us. Now, look at your short-falls. This week there were times I was unable to see through situations to the higher leaning being presented to me. Breathe in the pain of not understanding breathe out the wish: May all those who feels overwhelmed by their experiences be spared from the feeling of overwhelm. Feel free to use your own words in this practice |
| LIFE'S LESSONS |
| REPEAT ASPIRATION EVERY DAY FOR 7 DAYS WEEK 2 ASPIRATION: Today, I aspire NOT to focus on what is happening to me, but “what you do with what is happening to me.” SUPPORTS ~DAY 1~ Nothing ever goes away until it has taught us what we need to know. ~Pema Chodron ~DAY 2~ The way we learn those lessons is not to deny the feelings but to find the meanings underlying them. ~Stanley Linquist ~DAY 3~ Turn your wounds into wisdom. ~Oprah Winfrey ~DAY 4~ Learning is not child's play; we cannot learn without pain. ~Aristotle ~DAY 5~ There are no mistakes or failures, only lessons. ~Denis Waitley ~DAY 6~ The world is your school. ~Martin H. Fischer ~DAY 7~ REST AND REVIEW Now, without judgment review your week. This week there were times I was able to look at a painful situation and see that it was an opportunity for “Higher Power Education.” Now breathe in how it felt. Then breathe out the wish: May everyone share in this feeling of knowing that pain is part of learning. Now, look at your short-falls. This week there were times I was unable to see any benefit in my pain. Breathe in how this felt and breathe out the wish: May all those who feel put upon by life’s lessons be spared from not seeing beyond their pain. Feel free to use your own words in this practice. |
| SEPTEMBER I |
| A PRAYER FOR LIFE'S LESSONS Lord, please give me the strength to bear the pain and let me learn what I need to learn at a spiritual level. Please let my spiritual practice continue without getting obstructed. ~Author Unknown~ |
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