Brilliant article, Open. Full of inspiration. And so timely for what I'm currently experiencing. Like Aspasia, I love this bit. It knocks my socks off!

"Instead you'll look right into the jaws of it and say: " 'Fuck it, I've had enough now, the pain can't define me anymore, I'm going right into the heart of it.' " And so you look right into it's contracting jaws and say "No more! I will not be defined by you, I will unfold and unwind right through you...you son-of-a-bitch!"

It's tempting to rage at the outer world and get lost in trying to fix it. As you've often said, Open, "Nothing is out there. Everything is in here." Yes, indeed, the path less traveled is the inner journey. Taking responsibility for the pain one creates both individually and collectively. Letting go of identifying with it. Unfolding into pure Presence. Creating a higher way of being. Manifesting a higher, outer world.

So many sparkling gems in David Whyte's poem "Start Close In." Thank you, Aspasia! Many times I have ignored the 'close in' messages of the universe preferring to gaze off into the distance wishing for something easier, more comfortable, something with more fairy godmother glitter. Ah, well. I forgive myself. It's a mad, mad, mad world that makes it super easy to wish upon a distant star. Missing what's 'close in'.

These lines from the poem really hit home for me:

"Start with your own question,
give up on other people's questions,
don't let them smother something simple.
To find another's voice follow your own voice,
wait until that voice becomes a private ear
listening to another."

I have stifled my voice throughout much of my life. Now I am creating experiences 'close in' that make it hugely challenging to speak my truth. Perhaps because it's taking every ounce of will that I have whilst letting the chips fall where they may. I remind myself that life's not a popularity contest although many buy into that. It's so much easier to walk away from conflict and controversy. Here I am knee deep in shitty karma with my galoshes stuck in the muck and mire. Making it hard for me to put one foot in front of the other. I've literally made myself sick and have been flat on my back for the past week with the enormous effort it's taken to stay the path. It feels like I'm choosing between life and death at times. I know more surrender would help me to stop identifying with the life and death struggle. It's a fine balance between will and surrender. When to let go. When to push on.

Oy Vey!

x Cathy