David Howenstein Blog
This blog focuses on putting spirituality into action, and is based on the bookJUMBO JUMBLE(by this blog's author).
- Each blog entry includes:
- JR - the author’s reflection of the writings in the book
- PP - a personal question for the reader
- PA - My own personal answer (not included in the book) to the question
8/16/2019
Illustration by Miki Howenstein
Connecting the spiritual and the earthy
Whatever stands in the way of a conscious contact between the spiritual and the material in human life, only that is truly evil. The desire from physical things, family, safety, comfort, sex—none of that is evil. These are all aspects of one of the great forces of the universe in the human animal.
No, the real evil in our lives is now, and has always been, the cloud of human ignorance and fear which prevents experiential contact between the two levels. (Jacob Needleman, “Money and the Meaning of Life,” page 115)
JR: What is it that you desire? Is it spiritually uplifting or soul destroying? Does it move you towards the kind of person you want to become or lead you away from the path of your dreams? The answers to these questions determine whether the desire is to your benefit or actually works against your innermost desire.
PP: What desire do you have that fills you with positive energy, is life-promoting, and moves you towards the person you wish to be? Design your life to better meet this desire.
PA: Writing and getting people connected - these are two of the things which fill me positive, life-promoting energy. And yet, in terms of writing, I don’t take out nearly enough time to do it because I haven’t developed the mental stamina it takes to get going. Rather, I choose “being lazy,” and go out drinking with friends - my great weakness revealed! Awareness is the first step, and now it’s time to take action.
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