David Howenstein Blog
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This blog focuses on putting spirituality into action, and is based on the book JUMBO JUMBLE (by this blog's author).
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 Illustration by Miki Howenstein
(From page 346 of the book “Jumbo Jumble”) …….. The kind of action you take depends on your character, environment, and, most important of all, what you have discovered about yourself through the many reflections (so far in this book) concerning the kinds of things which are fit for you.…… Author’s Comment: The best way to learn (and remember) is through experience or, in other words, by taking action. Preparing fertile ground for implementing action (through study, spiritual discipline, etc. as this book has largely encouraged in the previous 10 months) proves to become extremely beneficial; however, with the step of putting it into practice, it is fruitless, just like a seed in unproductive soil. Do the things most appropriate for you, unafraid of making mistakes, learning from them, and enlivening your (and others) existence.
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 Illustration by Miki Howenstein
(From page 312 of the book “Jumbo Jumble”) …….. Awareness then becomes a seed for hope, not only for you to question these myths that you have been living by, but also to dare yourself to develop new paradigms and envision a sustainable future.…… Author’s Comment: THE GRAND CHALLENGE—to envision an inspirational story for yourself and others and cultivate a strong faith in it so it powers you to live it out. In doing so, you produce a multitude of seeds which can take root near and far and move the world into the much-needed new paradigm of your making.  Illustration by Miki Howenstein
(From page 280 of the book “Jumbo Jumble”) …….. Our direct experience with nature stimulates our imaginations which, in turn, provide the seeds for our creativity to blossom. Nature’s beauty provides unfathomable inspiration for the arts, which uplift our lives. When we destroy nature, we are destroying our own creative and artistic capabilities…… Author’s Comment: Nature provides us with a host of benefits—clean air and water, stabilized soils, physical nutrition, relief from the heat to mention a few. Lesser recognized is its capacity to feed our creativity and uplift our lives. The countless forms of nature provide nourishment to mind and spirit which has cultivated the arts in cultures around the world. Preserving and building better natural environments helps us to build more inspirational works of art.  Illustration by Miki Howenstein
(From page 246 of the book “Jumbo Jumble”) …….. There is no one and only correct way connecting with life, but everyone benefits when any one person finds her own right way. And when you truly find the way that is right for you, the connections breathe life into your spirit as your integrity inspires those around you. Author’s Comment: There are two key points here. First, there are many correct paths, meaning that no one path (political, religious, …) is the best for all. While there are universal guidelines and values to light the way, how they are applied (and in what balance) will vary. Secondly, any person who finds the right way for herself blesses others with the inspiration she has found. Demeaning another’s path (which leads to her integrity) is detrimental to both the aspirant as well as society as a whole.  Illustration by Miki Howenstein
(From page 212 of the book “Jumbo Jumble”) …….. When society comes to perceive each person and all of life as being inherently valuable, extremism has no place to wrap its tentacles around and eventually withers away. When we treat people with dignity, they naturally comes to treat others in the same way.……. Author’s Comment: Treating people with dignity is key to creating a more peaceful society. When we act as if some lives deserve to receive respect while others deserve to be trashed, we provide nourishment for violence and extremism to flourish. Treating others with dignity doesn’t mean agreeing with them, but allowing them to be heard and understood (without coercion or the threat of violence from either side).  Illustration by Miki Howenstein
(From page 180 of the book “Jumbo Jumble”) ……. We fail to seriously consider or understand the reasons why we wish for our desires. Then, on attaining them, we wonder why the initial exuberance doesn’t last, not realizing that it was only a step to something else, which still hasn’t been acquired..… Author’s Comment: Ever remember a time that you wanted that cake (doughnut, juicy steak, whatever) so much, and then after pigging out on it, you felt so bad? The desire in your mind didn’t harmonize with what the body really needed (or the amount which it needed). So it is with so many of our perceived desires—they don’t fit what our spirit or our lives really need. Understanding this, and developing the persistence to find what you so seek deep down, can unlock an invaluable treasure of contentment.  Illustration by Miki Howenstein
(From page 146 of the book “Jumbo Jumble”) ……. There are some basic universal values on which the majority of the world’s people can agree. The disagreement arises on the optimal application and achieving the proper balance between these values..… Author’s Comment: What are the principle values which the vast majority of the world’s good people hold dear? In the May pages of “Jumbo Jumble,” there are several examples and lists of these highly-held standards. With these as our goal line, new policies and plans can be made which move us closer to living out our lives based more upon these ideals. The main issue in adopting new laws would be how best to balance these values so that all good people can benefit.  Illustration by Miki Howenstein
(From page 114 of the book “Jumbo Jumble”) ……. a non-violent spirit and society encourages creativity and cooperation, appealing to the unity of our existence. Non-violence doesn’t imply not hating evil actions, but it does mean engendering a spirit that does not hate the person. It doesn’t mean denying your anger (which always leads to its coming out in other violent ways), but rather transforming it into a force for good.…… Author’s Comment: While suppressing our hate and anger creates the danger of their seeping out of us in subtle, destructive ways, granting them uninhibited expression potentially can lead to the devastation of relationships and lives—neither of which is beneficial to the beholder. Rather, facing these feelings, and finding ways to use them to constructively right wrongs and create a society grounded in peace has the potential to uplift and (en)lighten some of the heaviness in the world.  Illustration by Miki Howenstein
(From page 80 of the book “Jumbo Jumble”) ……. Repressing your own sorrow will only harden you; however, facing your sorrows and weaknesses without judgement can melt your hardened heart and fill it with compassionate understanding. In turn, your judgements of others and the futile efforts to change them will start to dissipate as the compassion you have come to feel for yourself also flows out to them.…… Author’s Comment: SELF COMPASSION—without it, there is absolutely no way you can be compassionate to others. Facing your own sorrows and weaknesses, and accepting them as a part of yourself, allows you to do the same for others. You may come to find good reason for harboring them, or decide to cast them aside so you can become more the person you wish to be, but either way, a sense of humility and benevolence will be nurtured leading you to be a more loving and lovable person.  Illustration by Miki Howenstein Explore a winter wonderland—one way to be good to yourself
February 27 (in the book “Jumbo Jumble”) Many of us in today’s world have either become so busy, or so bored with our lives, that we have forgotten how to have fun. For others, having fun seems like “a waste of time,” preventing us from doing more “important” things. Yet, this is exactly what we need in order to enjoy life, rather than feel burdened by it. By having something to look forward to (every day), our lives become touched with joy and excitement. Having fun is good for our health, in that it makes us forget our worries. Also, during that time, the mind is relaxed and able to gain a new perspective, which may give us insights that make our lives more fulfilling. Most importantly, having fun means that you value yourself enough to treat yourself well. The best thing you can do for others, for your work, for your life is to be good to yourself. (David Howenstein, “The Importance of Having Fun,” Jambo International, October 2013, http://jambointernational.org/en/2013/10/08/3919/.) JR: Religion and spirituality often emphasize doing good to others. While this is surely important in order to bring a deeper joy and contentment into your life, it is impossible to do so without first doing good to yourself. Unfortunately, this is difficult for some people because of their sense of guilt or having been told that they are unworthy. Being good to yourself is not selfish, but rather is a first step in being able to be good to others. PP: Decide on something that you will do later today that you can look forward to. See how it makes you feel better throughout the day. PA: I need a routine to bring good things periodically into my day, mainly to give me a boost. These are my favorites:
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