October 2, 1997:
In this entry I quote The Astrologer’s Manual by Landis Knight Green:
In Buddhist and Hindu Philosophy the conscious sense of purpose is called dharma, the law for living and developing one’s own character through fulfilling the right duties. A person’s entire horoscope is a key to understanding and defining these duties; however, it is the Sun that dictates the exact nature or heart of this conscious and mature relatedness. The planets which form aspects to the sun show exactly how this is carried out. Naturally, this refers mainly to a person who has developed self-awareness to a degree where he can determine many of the conditions of his present, as well as future, life. In the I Ching, he is called a “Superior Man.” Astrology, as it is being discussed here, would have little meaning for someone who is not assiduously seeking the truth about his being.
The solar individual is enlightened to the degree that he can utilize, direct, and project his energies and his will precisely there that life has the greatest meaning and value.
-L.K. Green
The conscious person (solar self) is even more receptive (lunar self) so that he can continue to learn the laws of life that make his survival easier while he develops himself spiritually.
October 5, 1997:
I want to ponder what is happening w/ my existence and how to react to it. And, more importantly I think, what I want to happen and how to work towards that. I feel like my life is 90% (mas o menos) me struggling against the tide.
What are the lessons I need to learn?
In The Wisdom of Insecurity by Allen Watts, he talks about how we are all searching for comfort and stability, but that those things are illusions, so we are really just fighting off life. Is that true? To a certain extent I believe it is, but where is that line between building a solid foundation and being able to sway and bend with the wind. If only I could solve maybe one mystery, maybe I’d get some confidence which would give me more energy to keep striving.
Today:
I am very happy, and grateful, to report that there is little struggle in my life these days. Still plenty of challenges, yes, but I have learned (by much trial and error) that struggling against them is a waste of energy and serves no purpose. I do a lot of “swaying and bending with the wind” while at the same time making that foundation ever more solid and stable. I don’t think there is “a line” between the two.
Through meditation, mindfulness, reflection, observation, exploration, study, and practice, I have come to see that the foundation is our infinite soul and the more we are aware of it and honor/care for it, the more it will keep us steady in the worst of storms and serve as firm ground for our personal evolution.
I’m beginning to believe that the insecurity Alan Watts is referring to is a result of our clinging to and grasping (things, people, events, expectations, etc), not wanting to accept the inevitable changes of life. But, with a strong foundation, supple body/mind/energy/spirit, and awareness of the infinitely fluid rhythm of life, we can begin to embrace it in all it’s magically mysterious glory. So that’s what I’m going for these days, thirteen and a half years later.
November 3, 1997:
Life seems so short to me sometimes, oftentimes, so I want to jump in and swim and be carried by the stream – without checking to see how cold the water is or if there’s a big rapid or waterfall ahead or a rock or branch in my path. I get bruised a lot. Cuts and scrapes are inevitable, cracking my head open kinda sucks, for awhile. If only I could figure out how to really apply this metaphor to my life. Just because the water is warm when you jump in doesn’t mean it stays that way. Life is not static. I’m not sitting in tide pools very often (I don’t like pollywogs sucking on my toes.) And how do I know if there’s a strong current up ahead – I can only see about 2 feet in front of me. And, even if there is , is it worth the risk if I really want to get there and there’s no way around? These are questions I can’t answer so I usually/sometimes decide that the only way to know is to find out.
Today:
Life is not short! At the same time, though, each moment is passing, replaced by a new one. The more richly we experience our Now, the more satisfying our life will be. That river metaphor is a bit muddy but I do think that we all must find a balance, that works for us, of being safe and grounded and diving into the rough waters and getting banged up a bit.
I’m feeling pretty good about my balance these days.
January 4, 1998:
I’ve been feeling that I’ve been sacrificing and avoiding focusing on my inner reality and my future goals and dreams and my healthy. Well, I would like those to be my new focuses – I believe they are way more important to true peace and balance than the exterior realities (distractions and diversions a lot of the time) and they have been sorely neglected for a long time now. If the Universe is listening, I say a little prayer to be thankful for all I have and to ask for the strength to make these changes in my life and stick to my goals.
Today:
Thanks for listening!
I come up in resistance due to the perception that change brings about discomfort. However, the greater my resistance, the more suffering I bring to myself. I have since learned to trust the flow more and to be aware that change is the only constant. The more I ease into the process of change, the more harmony I’d experience.
I enjoyed what you said, “The more richly we experience our Now, the more satisfying our life will be. ” How true!
All the best to your future goals and dreams. I believe that honoring them offers us the opportunity to live life fully!
Thank-you for the best wishes, Evelyn and I take inspiration from you for following your dreams and reaching your goals – creating your vision! Resistance is something we continue to come up against, isn’t it? But isn’t it great how moving through it, with patience and a calm, steady practice, shows us how worthwhile our efforts are? As we go with the flow we are carried to a lot of great living.