Run away, run away

I have gotten into spirituality lately...or perhaps I should say, the researching of spirituality (vs. religion). Reading books about Buddhism, Yoga etc. gives me insight into living my life differently. But transfering this information from an intellectual pursuit into daily life....well, sometimes I've been successful. The books I have delved into have never ASKED me to DO anything...they've been safe, I can view their idealogy from a safe distance. THIS book, however, challenges the reader to pick up her shovel and Work. Hmmmmmm. Caroline Myss even tells you how to do this. And even scarier for me, her book is based on St. Teresa of Avila's journey....St. Teresa was a Catholic nun from long ago.

Challenging the reader to become a mystic without a monastery...some of Myss' prose spoke to this infidel....

"As a contemporary mystic, you are measured by the quality of attitude you bring to all your tasks, by your capacity to be a model of generosity, and by challenging the fear that there is not enough to go around in this world-whether that is money, love, food, fame, power, attention, success or social position. Mystical service means modeling calm in chaos, kindness amid anger, forgiveness at all times, personal integrity--to live, in other words, mindful that every second offers a choice either to channel grace or to withhold it. (sic) Your goal in your practice is not perfection. Your goal is to live consciously and in accordance with the highest degree of truth that your soul can maintain."

She also brings up something that I'm familiar with, CHAOS.

"You focus on how you create chaos in this world, how you call it into your life to distract yourself and others, to cloud your and others' reason and confuse emotions. You ask yourself:
"Do I enjoy my ability to create chaos?"
"How often do I create chaos instead of tranquility?"
"Does chaos control me more than my inner guidance? If I were directed to trust and have faith that all would be well, would the chaos around me have more power over me than the message coming from my soul?"

Certainly some very interesting questions. With this book, I sometimes feel uncomfortable...almost queasy b/c it really shines light....now to decide to do the work? Stay tuned. I haven't run yet, but my sneakers are on!