My Inspiration and Fear

I am often inspired by things that I read. For example, I am reading Marshall's book in Spanish, and was reminded of one of Rumi's sayings:

* "Más allá de las ideas de actuar bien y actuar mal, se extiende un campo. Allí nos encontraremos".

("Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I'll meet you there.")

I would enjoy hearing of other people's inspirational sayings and quotes from whatever traditions, philosophies and cultures they arise. Would you be willing to share them here with a "comment"?

I am often inspired by things I read in texts that I grew up with; even though the words had not come alive for me until more recently.

I am feeling sad and perhaps a little frustrated that there is so much judgment in so many areas of my culture, in my own mind (i.e. 'Jackals'), within various communities I belong to, as I am wanting more acceptance of differing opinions and a more authentic dialog of the issues in a heart connecting way. Actually, what I would like is more of a focus on similarities -- to build bridges -- than in differences -- which tend to build walls and isolate. Yes, there are differences between people and groups, and some of them are important. But wouldn't it be more fun if we were able to connect on our similarities first?

I guess that part of my frustration is with wanting to integrate a couple of areas of my life and the communities of people in them, and being afraid of judgment in both of them. I desire authenticity and wholeness in my life, but I am feeling some fear and anxiety at living them and expressing myself fully. I suppose that is part of the purpose of this blog; to help me in the process of integration.

Lately, I've been finding inspiration in chapters 5, 6, and 7 of the 'good news' according to the book of Matthew, and seeing ways in which I can practice these principles in my life through Nonviolent Communication (NVC). Here are a few of which I would like to share here:

* Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted
* Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy
* Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God
* Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God
* If you remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift at the altar and be reconciled with your brother. Settle matters quickly with your adversary.
* Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes', and your 'No', 'No'
* Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you
* Do not judge
* Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?
* First take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye
* Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you
* For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened
* Do to others what you would have them do to you
* Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

So, I am finding NVC to be a discipline that helps me to live consistently with my beliefs, in a way that is respectful of others and gives me a way to practice being more loving and authentic.

Has any of this stirred anything in you?