Ten ways to suffer less and enjoy life more

Part 3 – Making Use of Teachings

First, I wanted to say a brief word about the authenticity of these words.

I know not if what I say, what I am trying to convey, has any meaning for you – whether these words will land at all.

One thing that is important for me is to say that these words come from my heart.

This is something that AI will never be able to do – it can do many things, but it cannot speak from the heart.

And in the same way that you may be able to discern when food , or a story or a painting, or even simple acts of kindness come from a place of and are made with love, I hope you will appreciate where these words come from – and AI will never have any part to play – for better or for worse, these words are from a real human with all the love in my heart.

Anyhow, having gotten that off my chest, the message in this blog is very simple.

There is unending support - all you have to do is take the first step.

There is a lifetime’s (in fact many lifetimes) resource available of wise words and spiritual teachings, and they have become an invaluable support for me on this journey.

I start each day listening to a podcast or an audio book while I have breakfast and finish many days with the book that life has chosen for me to read in the evenings.

There are so many wise voices – Adyashanti, Gangaji, Mooji, Jack Kornfield, Rupert Spira, Papaji, Ramana – these are the teachers whose words speak to me – there are countless others who may speak to you.

By way of example, here is a poem by a chap called Bill Johnson, who I had never heard of before but whose words filled me this morning:

I take to myself

My broken self:

My guilt, my peace,

My folly and joy,

My sickness, my health;

In laughter and agony,

Hating and loving,

My fear and my birthing –

And I am made whole.

I take to myself

You, my neighbour,

Cupping your life

Within my hand;

Your broken self

Pure gift to me;

Not burden, gift,

As mine to you-

And I am made whole.

I take to myself

You, broken Earth;

Stripped and abused,

Paved over and poisoned,

You mother so freely,

Abundant in grace;

Clasp in your mercy,

Surprise into tears –

And I am made whole

I take to myself

Your broken self,

My dear, near God;

Broken for broken,

For lost and for spent,

As fragmented love

And nectar of life,

You come gentle God –

And I am made whole.

These teachings, these words, inspire me every day – I hope with all of my heart, that they may do the same for you.