Have faith
but see your own
inconsistencies

Strive to be whole hearted
but be willing to see your
own doubt

COVID-19, ground zero
could it be
our teacher?

This poem is my response to the Chalkboard prompt “Ground,” March 11th by D. E. Fulford. What follows are my further thoughts about how we are living this reality.

Note: This piece is about how we think about our power to create. It is not about our interdependency nor our duty to our community. Please don’t confuse this with these issues.

With all the confusing information, the hype and the scares regarding COVID-19, what do you do? You say you believe in the power of your word. Do you just go on as usual knowing you are whole, complete, safe? Or do you consider the possibility that you may still have conflicting beliefs, doubts, cultural and family programing that just may operating in the background?

A friend of mine once met with Mike Dooley, someone who understands the power of our visioning and of our word. When asked if he had health insurance, he said “yes.” My friend looked at him and said, “Oh right. It’s thought insurance.”

I believe that we need to focus on the end result we want, knowing it is done, seeing it fully, imagining having it now. But I also believe you need to see the current reality clearly without judgment. And for many of us that means being willing to do inner work. The inner work of becoming aware of what is happening inside of us: observing our body’s reaction to what is going on, paying attention to our feelings and to the thoughts/beliefs behind our body’s reaction and our feelings.

My experience is that that you have to become conscious of what is driving you before you are able to release it. And, it is only after you release it, that you can truly say “I’m no longer subject to what my [conditioned] mind believes.” (adapted from Michael Beckwith)

During this time, say your formal prayers, do your visioning. But also watch the words that come out of your mouth when talking with friends, and notice the words that roam around in your head. Pay attention to your body, your feelings and get curious about what is behind them.

What are you creating?

*Adapted from Sufi stories. It is also one of the reported sayings of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.