Principle: Accepting what is changes everything.
Practice: I will be taking a break from weekly posting until the end of March 2022.
Written 1-10-22
Happy New Year, everyone! I’ve had a lovely holiday season, and trust that you have as well!
In my last post (12/15/21), I mentioned that I would update today on what I think is next for this blog in particular and my life more generally. What’s clear now is that my emotional/spiritual preparation to take vows as a monk in the Oriental Orthodox Order in the West (OOOW) requires as much of my undivided attention as I can give it. So I will be extending the hiatus on posting every week until after that date, which I learned just today is March 17-20, 2022.
And I don’t know what might happen at that point. At a minimum, the purpose or focus of the blog seems to be changing; it no longer feels useful to write weekly on my spiritual journey. So it might be that it’s lived out its vision, or it might be that something new is being birthed through me. More shall be revealed.
In the next two months, in addition to my psychospiritual preparation for my vows, I will focus on continuing to discern and write what’s formally called my “Rule of Life” for the Order, which I am calling my deep intent or vision for living as a monk. It’s one of the things I love about this particular group: I write my own deep intent, specifying the commitments I am making to the Divine, myself, and the Order, and describing how I intend to live my daily life.
No vows of poverty, chastity or obedience for this monk; nor will I be moving into a monastery for the rest of my days. This Order considers the world to be its monastery, and so there will be few changes in the practicalities of my day-to-day life. In many ways, I am already living my deep intent, with a rhythm of spiritual practices throughout the day. And of course, my rule is never final; it is expected to evolve as I grow spiritually. For additional information on the Order, check its website at www.theooow.org.
I may post periodically on how my deep intent is evolving, but I am not going to hold myself to a regular posting schedule. Blessings on your journey over the next two months!
Blessed be!