The Western Baul Podcast Series features talks by practitioners of the Western Baul path. Topics are intended to offer something of educational, inspirational, and practical value to anyone drawn to the spiritual path. For Western Bauls, practice is not a matter of philosophy but is expressed in everyday affairs, service to others, and music and song. There is the recognition that all spiritual traditions have examples of those who have realized that there is no separate self to…
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The Destructible is anything that is impermanent. We fear loss of the Destructible by trying to hold on to things that will not last, which is suffering. What predominates in humans beings is not desire but fear. If we fear something, we are somehow attracted to it and yet do not accept and open to our feelings about it. Along with physical death, we fear destruction of aspects of ourselves that…
“Be in the world but not of the world” is a statement that has been considered on the spiritual path. Does it have relevance to engaging in social work? A bodhisattva works for the salvation of everyone else first, which is an impossible but worthwhile task. We have to know ourselves before we can help others, have a grip on the turmoil inside before we can really alleviate turmoil outside.…
The Sacred Feminine is not confined to those in female bodies. Many difficulties in life come from denigration of the Sacred Feminine, including the way the planet and women are treated. Imagery of Divinity has not included the feminine in our culture. Decades ago, many women were focused on claiming masculine power. Rinzai Zen is warrior practice, very masculine, but there is a feminine aspect to…
There are aspects of suffering that may not be necessary, such as “luxury suffering.” Luxury suffering may be defined as self-observation while judging ourselves. Judgment can be positive or negative. Trying to avoid things or make them better is suffering. Constantly watching the news can keep suffering in place. Without seeing the extreme state of the world so regularly in the media, we might be…
There is a distinction between what we would die for and what is worth living for. What we would die for brings us to reflect on something beyond this life. To consider this requires us to know and accept three things: our bodies are going to die, we are all connected, and we make a difference. Aging brings an imperative with it. Our society is uncomfortable with death. Keeping death from children…
If we put aside concepts, we really don’t know what a tree is. It’s a mystery of creation. The tree of life is a universal archetypal symbol. African, Celtic, Norse, and Cabala trees of life are discussed. Trees are a portal into appreciation of life and nature. Walking in a forest, we can feel sacred space. The decimation of trees and forests is also heartbreaking. It’s important to connect to…
In spiritual practice, quietude is a deeply desirable, nourishing nutrient. Most practitioners find quieting the mind to be very difficult. It takes a lot of stamina and strength to stop ourselves from being habitually drawn to the stimulus of contention or disruption through distractions such as the news and social media. We can start with basic practices. The human being craves constant stimulus…
Every time we tell a story, something new can enter our heart. Sharing a story with others can help us regain a piece of our humanity. Being in the present and letting go of the past can be a spiritual ideal, but if we trace back things that happened we may find buried aspects of ourselves. A spiritual act can pave over the past. Rick tells stories of his experience with recapitulation, of being…
As a culture, we are disconnected from our bodies. In school, we learn to meet standards outside of ourselves and to listen less and less to our bodies. Messages of a hidden curriculum tell us that the body should be productive, emotions should be controlled, rest must be earned, and time is more important than natural rhythms. A controlled body cannot be a sensing body. Sensation is a way to…
Creativity is going into the unknown with intention. Two “wings” of creativity are passion and play. Some people have titles for their role in creating, such as painter, writer, sculptor. Art connects us to who we really are; it’s an expression of our essence. Creativity is a purpose of the universe. It isn’t a luxury; it’s a primary function of consciousness itself. The big picture is that our…
