Yellow Brick Road: Your Path to Heart & Health

Overcoming Addiction

By Debra Basham, on July 21, 2019

Start by doing what is necessary,

then do what is possible,

and suddenly, you are doing

the impossible.

~Francis of Assisi

“Addiction, it has been said, starts in pain and ends in pain.” This is the opening line in the Editor’s Note in the January, 2018, edition of GUIDEPOSTS. The title is ‘Overcoming Addiction.” The entire edition is dedicated to the hope of recovery that calls to every addict and the people who love them.

I am no stranger to addiction. My dad was an active alcoholic throughout my childhood. I am so grateful for his sobriety that came after my marriage and remained for the rest of his life. Grateful my daughter and grandchildren knew him in his sobriety.

Last evening we were with some friends. This past week has been about her facing her son’s alcoholism. Several times during the evening I would be aware of the smell of alcohol. No one else could smell it, but it was obvious to me. Eventually I said, “It must be my dad.”

Richard Rohr, an American Franciscan Friar ordained to the priesthood in the Roman Catholic Church, published a podcast titled “Contemplation and Action on the Road of Recovery.” Rohr’s message begins with the radical truth that we are all addicted. He says the universal addiction we share is our addiction to our way of thinking. He says, “Literal-ism is the lowest level of meaning, the least level of meaning. Literal-ism gets you nowhere.”

Whether taking something personally, literally, or insisting our way is the “right” way, addiction to our way of thinking is one of the most important things we can choose to give up. What would that be like? Recovery.

Recovery is simply this: union with reality.

Overcoming addictions is simply this: union with reality.

Addiction is anything we know is not good for us but we do it anyway. So how do we change this?

Here is a poem I wrote on September 25, 2017. It is titled ‘Addiction’s Daughter.’

His blood shot eyes told the story

Her words a sloppy slur

The arguments, lies, disappointed children staring

wistfully out into space

Alcohol’s real name is Satan

Fermented devil Scotch

And pray tell how one can in his right mind call it smooth

a true velvety swindler

Our broken dreams lie there shattered

Memories all scattered

Perfection in work and play disguising inward scars

all weeping done in silence

All weeping is done in silence in addiction. It is important we speak honestly. It is important we choose wholesome actions that invite recovery. It is important our awakened heart is capable of being present for our own suffering and the suffering of others.

I have found the practice of Tonglen helps to awaken the heart.

A Variation on Tonglen (receiving/giving) Meditation

(Instructions in parentheses are a variation for Christians.)

Sitting erect, note the breath moving in and out. Feel yourself in a circle of light (of God’s or Jesus’ presence, His Heart to your heart).
Breath in, feeling that Light and infinite love move into you.
Breath out. Let it fill your heart.
Breath in, note the immense suffering of the world, then direct focus to one place/person.
Breath out, sending that Love with the exhaled breath, to this suffering being. Here we are allowing ourselves to give freely, not to hold that Light which is so precious for ourselves but offering it freely in service to others.
Inhale. See the suffering as a black, thick, tarry mass. Allow yourself to draw it into your heart. Note any resistance, any fear of allowing in that suffering, any desire to stay separate; soften around it. This is not a matter of forcing oneself, but gently opening one’s heart to fear, to the fear that creates illusion of our separation from the suffering of the world. We MUST do it gently. If there is resistance, allow in as much as you can. No ‘shoulds,’ no judgment, just the heart that gently opens when its fear is met with mercy.
Exhale, allowing yourself to feel the heaviness of the suffering.
Inhale, (remembering God); we as human need not hold the suffering and bear it ourselves.
Exhale, release it out to whatever accepts it (to God or to Jesus).

Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu is a Sanskrit mantra which means:

“May all beings everywhere be happy and free, and may the thoughts, words, and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and to that freedom for all.”

By chanting this mantra, we move from our personal self and radiate a prayer of love for the world around us. It takes us from the egoic, little self, and its limited world view, and radiates from us global wellbeing. It is a reminder we are a part of the universe and can positively impact all of creation.

May all beings everywhere overcome addictions….

Liberation

By Debra Basham, on July 9, 2019

“I would ask you not to settle
for anything less than liberation,
and yet not to hurry toward it,
but to know that if you practice
with sincerity, love, and courage,
it will come.
May the way be very beautiful for you.
May you find freedom and peace.”

Aaron’s words slide over my being as smoothly as silk.

We discovered mold under our dishwasher Sunday evening. It has been crawling along the floors.

After mold remediation at the office, mold remediation on Lot 51, and now EXTENSIVE mold remediation happening here, I thought it wise to search for the meaning of mold as totem.

Adaptability in the face of widespread, often destructive changes….

Black Mold helps to keep me humble, and reminds me of the privileges I enjoy, however temporarily.

An incentive to find more eco-friendly options for food, water, shelter, and other resources.

Any species that manages to increase its population due to human influence, rather than becoming endangered or extinct, is at least noteworthy for its adaptability.

It is truly amazing to be aware of the full monty. The full monty (or the full Monty) is a British slang phrase of uncertain origin. It is generally used to mean everything which is necessary, appropriate or possible; the works.

Even while feeling overwhelm, I am aware how easy my life is compared to so many. Along with emotions of dread, trust holds my trembling breast. If this is liberation, it is worth the wait.

One of the Brahma Kumaris inspirations of the day I received this morning says simply:

Repeat after me: My current situation is not my permanent destination.

Your Place in the Family of Things

By Debra Basham, on July 6, 2019

A few days ago, the mold saga continued as late in the evening our friend ripped up carpet preparing for solid flooring installation in the manufactured home she bought here in our park and found this:

(see Lessons from the Mold)

She was having a very difficult time navigating all of the uncertainty. I totally get that. I said I would come the following day while she was at work and I would get the rest of the carpeting up so she would know the scope of the problem.

We are now lovingly calling my friend’s space ‘AREA 51’ as her home is located on Lot 51.

It never occurred to me that evening I would know to ask for help even as I was giving help.

There is a story of the Buddha when in a past life he offered himself as food to a hungry tiger and her cubs. The story says when you start off by sharing your dinner with the hungry tiger cub and then some years or lifetimes later, you are giving your dinner, it’s only a natural next step to simply give yourself. For one for whom there is a giver it would not be an appropriate action, it would create an unwholesome karma for both you and the tiger cub. What happens is at some point there is no giver and no one given to. You are not making a martyr of yourself, because there’s really no distinction between you and the hungry tiger. You see the being suffering and you give.

The following morning, as I prepared to head over to her home, I spontaneously wrote a note to the guy across the street, “I need someone with strength at Lot 51 for a few minutes.” He arrived home from the gym as I was writing the note, so I walked across the street and knocked on his door. I pointed to the note, told him what happened, and said simply, “I could use your help ripping up the rest of the carpet.”

He walked over as I drove. There he stood—with a large pair of pliers, a utility knife, and a snub-nosed spade. He was amazing…. He showed me how to use the spade, and by working together, in less than an hour, we had all carpet and pad removed.

And we found NO additional mold. I sent my friend these photos:

I came home to have some lunch and rest a bit. I wrote a ‘thank you’ note, slipped 3 twenty-dollar bills into it, and taped it on his door as I headed back to remove the tack strips, pull up the linoleum, and sweep up the mess.

When I got back home the 3 twenty-dollar bills were in this envelope taped on my door:

When I saw him later, he grinned and said, “I kept the card.”

You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
for a hundred miles through the desert repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.
Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.
Meanwhile the world goes on.
Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain
are moving across the landscapes,
over the prairies and the deep trees,
the mountains and the rivers.
Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,
are heading home again.
Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,
the world offers itself to your imagination,
calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting –
over and over announcing your place
in the family of things.

~Mary Oliver

Simple Understanding

By Debra Basham, on June 30, 2019

Once upon a time…
there was the simple understanding
that to sing at dawn and
to sing at dusk was
to heal the world through joy.
The birds still remember
what we have forgotten,
that the world is meant to be celebrated.
~Terry Tempest Williams

June has been a very full month…. On June 22, I enjoyed a Day of Silence with St. Joseph Sangha and Empty Circle Zen. On June 29, I enjoyed a Yoga Retreat with Kathy Zerler. We did Hatha Yoga, then we each selected a rock created just for us for our retreat by friends Bobbie Roloff and Debbie Charleston. We thoroughly enjoyed Amy’s reading Everybody Needs A Rock by Byrd Baylor with pictures by Peter Parnall. In silence and gratitude we feasted on an amazing lunch before doing a Yoga Nidra exercise and having our closing circle. Om….

All of this was timed perfectly in my life as the office suites were being remediated and my husband was undergoing medical tests following some ongoing symptoms and a mini-episode. This same week, his cousin’s son (at the tender age of 34) was receiving an LVAD. LVAD or left ventricular assist device, is a pump used for patients who have reached end-stage heart failure.

I don’t know when I first heard the Birthday Dirge, but the opening lines are Death and gloom and black despair, People dying everywhere, but one does not have to sing a dirge to know that the conditions of human life can be challenging. What is the most beautiful truth about life, though, is how even difficulties and obstacles produce strength and compassion.

We went with several friends to see the film Rocketman. Rocketman is a 2019 biographical musical based on the life of musician Elton John. At one point, as his mother was speaking so unskillfully, I whispered, “I hope someone in our row is breathing.” It is not an easy film to watch. His life was littered with such painful experiences. However, HE rose up out of the ashes and that is what really matters.

The first day of July is my brother-in-law’s birthday. He passed two years ago. His life, too, had been littered with pain, and he too rose up out of the ashes of cancer to overcome addiction and soften into his authentic being.

While it is true we are not all musical prodigy, this week—every day of every week—we all have the stuff that helps us grow. And the simple understanding as Terry Tempest Williams and the birds remember is that the world is meant to be celebrated.

Here is the rock that selected me at the yoga retreat:

Overcoming….

By Debra Basham, on June 17, 2019

In wonderful ways, life is always providing us opportunities of overcoming amidst chaos. I met a man, Captain Ed, who had a brain aneurysm in 2014, and describes himself as a walking miracle. After hearing some of what he has been overcoming, I asked him, “What were you saved FOR?”

He went on to share about his business! Imagine a pirate-themed candy store, connected to a furniture store, run by a guy who loves dressing in character, a mindful man who has great passion to help kids love and learn to read. Welcome to Captain Ed’s Furniture in Michigan City, Indiana. From the website:

Captain Ed’s began as a TV and Radio shop in 1960. It still carries TVs, but has added several products to its inventory including living room furniture, appliances, dining room, bedroom and kids room at affordable prices. We offer several financing options on all of these items including layaway and rent-to-own. Captain Ed’s also features a Candy Store with the world’s largest ship shaped candy counter, vintage record shop and entertainment exchange.

Captain Ed’s gives back to its community whenever it is possible. It sponsors community events such as the Michigan City Cardboard Boat Dash, The Michigan City Police Department’s Easter Egg Hunt and Boo at the Zoo. It also sponsors local charities such as The Worthy Women Recovery Home and The Sandcastle Homeless Shelter. Captain Ed’s also operates a children’s’ reading program through its candy store. The program awards “Golden Tickets” to elementary students good for 1/4lb of the world’s greatest gummies from Albanese Candy Factory.

During the school year, the local schools award these “Golden Tickets” to students based on how many points they earn when they take their Accelerated Reader tests. During the summer Captain Ed’s passes out “Captain Ed’s Ship’s Reading Logs” which are initialed by the child’s parent or guardian for reading 15 minutes a day, 7 days in a row. When a child brings in a “Golden Ticket” or reading log they also get to pick out a book from Captain Ed’s Library. In 2014 Captain Ed’s awarded 2 tons of candy through this program.

I do not know who Ed was before his near death experience, but it is well-recognized that we do change. 31 years ago, Lesley Lupo died for 14 minutes after being trampled by horses, but it’s what happened in those 14 minutes that many people have a hard time believing, because not everyone has had a near death experience.

“I popped out of my body and I stood about 15 feet away, and this was mind-blowing for me because I didn’t have any spiritual inclinations,” said Lupo, who wrote the book, “Remember, Every Breath is Precious: Dying Taught Me How to Live”.

Tara Brach knows this truth.

If you would like to strengthen this truth, enjoy True Refuge, a podcast with Tara Brach, and learn a process of self-compassion she gives the acronym RAIN:

Recognize what you are feeling
Allow (give your consent to) the experience of unease and discomfort
Investigate your underlying beliefs and inquire into what you need
Non-identification with the story of the “small self” that is failing at this or that, and a return to open, loving presence

Captain Ed knows this truth….

Red and Blue

By Debra Basham, on June 8, 2019

I love color, and I am also fascinated by shapes. In my next life I might like to study sacred geometry. This image came up when I searched “What color does blue and red make?”

My question about what color you get by mixing red and blue resulted from a recent post-puzzling conversation with two dear friends.

Here is the photo of Linda and me with our completed puzzle, snapped by our hostess:

Linda found it incomprehensible that neither Kathy nor I know which US party is represented by red, and which US party is blue!

Our conversation had begun with questions about what I had learned at the recent Dharma Path Intensive. An inner journey is not easy to explain. When the word ‘politics’ came up, I said I could recall having heard Abraham Hicks say, “Politics is just outside of the vortex.”

The next question was, “What is the vortex?”

I was now trying to speak Buddhism, Abraham Hicks, and DebraESE. For this blog post, I will add some WilberESE to the mix!

Maybe the questions about mixing the colors of red and blue might make things a bit more clear. The answer seems to depend if you are referring to pigment or light. Commonly people think about pigment. Mixing blue and red pigment, would result in purple or violet.

However, if you are referring to light, which is additive color, mixing red and blue light produces magenta. Yikes….

I found this reference to magenta online. It comes from Integral Theory (levels of consciousness) by Ken Wilber: Magenta Altitude tends to be the home of egocentric drives, a magical worldview, and impulsiveness. It is expressed through magic/animism, kin-spirits, and such. Young children primarily operate with a magenta worldview. Magenta in any line of development is fundamental, or ‘square one’ for any and all new tasks. Magenta emotions and cognition can be seen driving cultural phenomena.

I am working with a few others to develop a blog called Words of Light, where the teachings of Aaron (as channeled by Barbara Brodsky) will be made available. This is a snip from one blog entry:

The whole Earth is in process of growing through from the lowest level of consciousness, which has a very heavy vibrational frequency, to a higher and higher and higher consciousness. Just as you cannot rush the 2-year-old into the next level of consciousness, but must allow gradual transition, you cannot rush the Earth and the sentient life upon the Earth.

But, just as your willingness to explain to the 2-year-old even though he doesn’t yet understand—to hold the door open to the next level of consciousness—is vital to his shifting into that higher level of consciousness, so your willingness to hold the door open is essential to the shift in consciousness in the Earth….

We were all two. We were all teens.

Also in that post, Aaron makes it clear that the levels of consciousness are not like floors in a building. They are more like intersecting planes. When lower levels of consciousness arise in us (Aaron says this happens in all of us), by being able now to see it for what it is, you do not get caught up in those early beliefs.

Think of an election, not as two forces in opposition to each other, but really the higher consciousness inviting the lower consciousness.

Higher consciousness is making the clear statement, “You cannot stay hidden there in such early childhood consciousness. You must move out.”

Now this has my mind going to Wilber’s Turquoise Attitude…. Turquoise is a mature integral view, one that sees not only healthy hierarchy but also the various quadrants of human knowledge, expression, and inquiry (at the minimum: I, we, and it). Turquoise is the first to begin to integrate Spirit as a living force in the world (manifested through any or all of the 3 Faces of God: “I”—e.g. the “No self” or “witness” of Buddhism; “we/thou”—e.g. the “great other” of Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Islam, etc.; or “it”—e.g. the “Web of Life” as seen in Taoism, Pantheism, etc.).

Perhaps I should do a search asking what two colors make turquoise….

Lessons from the Mold

By Debra Basham, on May 28, 2019

I am just back from a retreat/intensive with the Deep Spring Dharma Path group. This group is a two-year commitment to daily practice, weekly meetings, and twice-yearly intensives. I said this morning I have not yet found my feet, but I know where I left them, and I assume they are still there waiting for me.

That is how grace works.

We heard truth articulated over and over. When it is lost, where is joy? Peace? Love? Trust? Hope? You fill in the blank.

Barbara Brodsky, founder and guiding teacher of Deep Spring Meditation Center, announced that she had seen two horses in the middle of the road as she was nearing Triple Crane Monastery in Chelsea (Michigan) where the retreat was being held. Barbara, concerned for the horses, pulled into the driveway. Seeing no one around, she honked the horn a few times. Barbara is deaf, and she has some physical challenges walking. She did not deem it feasible for her to leave her vehicle and walk to the barn to see if she could find the owner of the horses. Reluctantly, she drove on to the retreat.

Aaron, the discarnate teacher whom Barbara channels, spoke to her. I am paraphrasing here. “If you are going to be here, be here. Or get some one to go with you and go back to check on the farmer and the horses. Either is OK, you did what you could. If you decide to be here, let it go, trusting that all shall be well.”

As this was being shared, my mind had gone to a massage therapist in my office. Just before I drove to Chelsea, we had met with the owner of our building, the property manager, and a mold remediation professional. This therapist’s room was discovered to have an unacceptable level of active Aspergillus mold spores. For people with healthy immune systems, breathing in Aspergillus isn’t harmful. However, for one who is allergic, or those with weakened immune systems, breathing in Aspergillus spores can cause an infection in the lungs or sinuses which can spread to other parts of the body.

This therapist has a known allergy to mushrooms, and also has some immune deficiency. A perfect storm….

Many times throughout the retreat my thoughts would go to her. I have great compassion for what she is going through. She has only been in practice for one year, much of that year she has been feeling ill. Financially and emotionally she is drained.

I also have great compassion for the owner of the building, and truly for everyone affected, including myself.

At retreat I would gently remind myself to be present with the thoughts and emotions, and to remember to be here now. I was at the retreat.

I had a precious connection with my roommate, and I worked a lot in the kitchen! One way I deal with stress is to clean. This is going to come in handy with remediation….

We received Darshan (a Blessing) from ‘The Mother’— a very loving being whom Barbara also channels. I was told, “You are a sunbeam. A sunbeam is not diminished in any way by shining its light. Nor does it wonder, ‘Have I shined enough?’ This is a place for you to release. You are that sunbeam.”

Oh, my, goodness!

We received reminders to deepen our intention, and to notice where our true power is. If we feel contracted energy, we were instructed to just notice: fear, sadness, doubt, uncertainty, anger. Say to yourself, “I concentrate this contraction in service to all beings who feel _____.”

Many years ago, a group of friends worked at another office which flooded (with gray water!) and had to go through remediation. Feelings are close to the surface as I am remembering all of that now. Every day humans are facing threat. Every day humans are experiencing harm. But as we heard—we are not just mammals. We are also awakened beings.

From my retreat journal: You don’t have to be fully awake to be fully awake! You who can see the light, rest in the light. Guide others without going into the darkness.

We did quite a bit of sitting, but we also enjoyed learning through play. Here I am STANDING on a balance ball (with the help of others who would catch me if I started to fall).

And here is one of my Dharma sisters flying a kite.

Where does joy go? Or humility? Where is justice when it is lost?

In Buddhism, these fruits of the spirit are called the Paramitas, or the Ten Perfections.

None are truly lost. All want to be invited back.

How do I invite something without grasping? “I have set it in motion by my intention. If it is for highest good, it will happen.”

I was humbled to remember that mold, like a weed in the garden, or the mosquito on my hand, is a sentient being. Can I open my heart to the mold, too, knowing it cannot stay, but cleaning it out with love? Reading about mold: By decomposing organic matter, molds play a big part in material biodegradation, enabling decay and rot necessary in all ecosystems.

May all beings remember these valuable lessons about life, including lessons from the mold.

Power of Choice

By Debra Basham, on May 17, 2019

Some days are so humbling…. women I know are going through so much. I am not saying men are without their challenges, too, but women I KNOW are going through so much.

Three precious women friends are stepping up to work in businesses created by the men in their lives. Two of the businesses came from fathers, and one from a husband. The stepping up is a result of these men having transitioned into spirit.

The precious woman friend who posted this photo on Facebook is herself a widow, doing a remarkable job raising a child amidst challenging financial circumstances:

I love the truth of these words about difficult circumstances meaning you are in a powerful place of transformation and transmutation. I wondered if there was a difference of meaning between these two states. Transmutation is the action of changing or the state of being changed into another form (or into another species), and transformation is a thorough or dramatic change in form or appearance.

It seems these women are representative of something that is capable of happening to all beings.

I stumbled onto an interesting webpage listing a timeline on the History of Women’s Rights in America. The first two entries were shocking!

1777 – All states pass laws which take away women’s right to vote.

Gary Zukav’s were the first words I remember having heard describe authentic power. I hope you will take time to look over the ‘Authentic Power Vocabulary’ from the Seat of the Soul.

Savor these first few definitions from that list and let their energy inspire your own authentic power:

Authentic power is alignment of the personality with the soul (with harmony, cooperation, sharing, and reverence for Life).

Characteristics of an Authentically Empowered Personality include humbleness, clarity, forgiveness, and love.

Clarity allows you to see the world of physical matter for what it is—a learning environment that is created jointly by the intentions of the souls that share it.

Authentic power evaporates fear.

Co-creation occurs as individuals bring all that each can offer to a joint effort and at the same time, open themselves to a larger, or higher, idea that may not have previously occurred to them….

Women (and men) who are capable of living from authentic power might just hold the keys to the kingdom!

Shaman Woman

By Debra Basham, on May 11, 2019

I got to join my friend, Carol L. Myers, artist extraordinaire, for a gallery walk. Carol’s work is being featured in a one-woman show at the Box Factory for the Arts. Here is Carol:

Carol’s Solo Art Exhibition, which is titled Embodied: Embracing Spirit, is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G.

Here I am in front of Carol’s “Shaman Woman” quilt, which lives on the massage table in the office at 815 Main Street:

Today like every other day
We wake up empty and scared.
Don’t open the door of your study
And begin reading.
Take down a musical instrument.
Let the beauty we love be what we do.
There are hundreds of ways to kneel
And kiss the earth.

Rumi

Having witnessed Carol’s finding her voice and being able to articulate about her art has been a great honor.

Wayne Dyer said, “Don’t die with the music still inside you. Listen to your intuitive inner voice and find what passion stirs your soul.”

Carol L. Myers is a woman who is doing that….

Mulling About the Mundane

By Debra Basham, on May 4, 2019

I am working on the theme of Mundane Made Holy for the Mother’s Day service at Pilgrim United Church of Christ. That had me checking online for antonyms for ‘mundane.’ Here are just a few:
One rainy morning this week, I was moved near tears with gratitude for being able to walk over to the little community center and ride the stationary bicycle. It is not always possible to do what you really desire, but life continuously provides us with wonderful options. I could have grumbled about not being able to ride outdoors in the warmth and sunshine.

Walking home, as I went past the home one of our neighbors, Mark, I was again awash with gratitude. Shortly after we moved in, Mark came over and helped John with the demo and construction of our new deck. It was hot. The work was hard. We did not know Mark, and he certainly did not owe us anything. Some internal sense of willingness moved him to this generosity of time and energy.

I hope you can see the list of opposites to the word mundane and find yourself inspired.

Mother Teresa is given credit for having said, “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”

This is how you make the mundane holy….