Seeking the Essential Life

I have recently found myself longing for a way of life that is more grounded. I am realizing how driven and distracted I am by the desire to acquire and consume.

Some of my propensities toward these sort of tendencies include:

-my craving for caffeine and empty carbohydrates
-my easy distractability of vision
-my quest for comfort, even when momentary discomfort may help me acheive something greater and more important
-my tendency to try to avoid rather than confront and overcome situations in which I feel anxious
-my compulsive drive for sensory gratification including losing track of time while watching television or using the computer

I desire to break the power that I have given these things in my life, and move to a more centered, balanced, less cluttered, essential life.

The disciplines of meditation, exercise, music, study, reflection, and deep listening have helped me to take steps toward the essential life.

Distractions and temptations always confront us in this life, but hopefully as we continue further along the journey, their power over our lives is gradually broken.

This sort of centered, essential life is the journey that the Holy One invites to seek; leaving behind all of our pursuits that distract us from what is pure and true.

That is the essence, of holiness, I believe- not a sort of arrogant "holier-than-thou" false piety, but a humble, honest journey to the center- set apart from all else.

That is what it means to be holy- dedicated to seeking the One- within ourselves, within others, within Creation, within the eternal.

Peace in the name of the Holy One,

John