Found wisdom
For several years I worked with a wonderful grief therapist who helped me understand the depth of my grief, the layers of my grief and the hurt I was holding and immobilizing myself about. Wisdom is found in many places. With gratitude, I share his wisdom with you.
"The 14th century Persian poet Hafiz could be talking about our thirst now for the light of wisdom. As we move through our life we each search for a meaning that sustains us. We yearn to be nourished by something deeper. We may look to our faith or relationships for that spark. In the dark nights of our soul, we struggle to see the light of hope. I remember talking to a woman who had fled Ukraine to Poland. The reverberations of the loss of safety rippled through her in the most profound ways. There are many sharing that experience globally now."
"We are quenched in the moments we honor this life as a sacred gift. Our challenge is to call upon the poet within us to serve the light we must have. For it is in caring for our spirit that we can hold the suffering. We are invited to view our life as a spiritual journey. No special beliefs or rituals. Simply the recognition of our opportunity to grow our hearts. While in high school I came across the teachings of Leo Buscaglia. He was a professor in California who was deeply moved by a students' suicide. He began to explore human disconnectedness and the meaning of life in a course called Love 1A. It was hearing him speak that placed the light on my spoon."
"I felt my soul awaken with the realization that the meaning of life would only be found in the presence of love. Nothing dramatic. Just beginning to cultivate kindness. A couple of years later I found myself sitting quietly on a meditation retreat. It was here that I could feel the ways that stillness opened the light of wisdom and love. It is said that when the student is ready, the teacher appears. When we are open to quench the thirst for meaning, we look in places that hold the light. The teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh, Ram Dass or Jack Kornfield are powerful pointers to the practices of awareness, peace and compassion."
"It is a time to cultivate a sanctuary within ourselves. A place to seek spiritual guidance. A refuge for the weariness we all feel. We will need that as we gather around the table for the holidays. Perhaps we feel triggered by the insensitivity of a passing remark. When we anchor ourselves in our commitment to love, we can indeed become the sky for the passing clouds of thoughtlessness. Spark gratitude for your clarity in not taking it personally. Beyond the feast that is served will be the moments you nourish yourself in freedom. We need not wait for celebrations to begin such self-care."
Mitch Davidowitz, LICSW, LinkedIn
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