freedom from suffering

"Notice how your body feels when you argue with what is.  Notice the emotional change happening, and notice what happens when you begin to open your mind just a little bit and invite the possibility-just the possibility- that maybe your conclusions about an event in life, maybe your judgments about it aren't as true as you think.  Just holding the possibility in your mind, you'll see that your emotional environment begins to change.  You'll start to come more into the present moment and this is what freedom from suffering is all about." (Falling Into Grace, p. 117)

I've often thought that if I only made one change in my life, letting go of judgments would be the one to make.  To judge something is to argue with what is.  When you stop and think about it, arguing with what is is futile.  It prevents energy, events, feelings  etc.from moving through us.  It keeps us locked in the psyche and blocks us from experiencing the power of Spirit.  If I remember this each time I choose to make and hold onto a judgment, perhaps I will let it go more readily. 

As Adya suggests, the way to freedom is to accept what is showing up in each moment.  When we are no longer arguing with what is (thereby trying to change it) fearful feelings may arise.  By taking a breath and allowing the feelings to be, we will find a place of peace within (this is what Michael Singer described as the Observer who is watching the psyche experience fear). 

As Jesus said, "You must become like little children in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven."  Little children, for the most part, live in the moment without judgment, without arguing with what is.  Join me this week in accepting life as it is showing up, opening to the possibility that our judgments aren't as true as we think, facing the feelings that arise with courage, and relaxing into a deeper place of Truth.