Martha And Mary Days

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Our Martha And Mary Days

With a cup of coffee in hand, I launched my morning. Looking down at my to-do list, I noticed that my day would be a "Martha and Mary" day, like most days. My schedule would consist of activity and rest, or meditation. Maharishi emphasized that the two aspects were an important balance in our daily lives.. We couldn’t do just one or the other.

 

martha stewart photo

 

The Bible Story Of Martha And Mary

There is a story referenced in the Bible in the Gospel of Luke 10:38-42:

 
“As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.

But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, ‘Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!’

’Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.’”
 

Growing up, my family had a 10-volume set of children's books printed in the mid-1950s – The Bible Story by Arthur Maxwell. I don't know how they got them. Perhaps someone came to the house as a door-to-door salesman.

When I was young, I loved to read and like most children, I could read the same thing over and over again. This set of books was no exception. I clearly remember the story of Martha and Mary.

Semiradsky, artist

Martha Or Mary – Who Was Right?

The story stuck with me, because I always felt sorry for Martha. The story painted her in a somewhat negative light. It didn't seem very fair. It's not always so clear which one is “right.”

Because who knows? Maybe there were extenuating circumstances – maybe Mary had a reputation of not doing her fair share of work around there. If we all sat around in constant meditation, others could get upset about tasks left undone, especially meals missed.

It's all about everything in the right timing and balance, isn't it?

My final analysis was that Martha probably needed to relax a bit and get in touch with her own deeper meditations and Mary probably needed to pull her full weight a bit more.

Perhaps this parable was a gentle reminder that, in the chaos of this world, we need to remember to keep balance in our own daily lives.

Johann Vermeer, Artist

Martha And Mary In Balance

Joanne Weaver wrote a book with this very idea in mind, entitled: Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World.  She is quoted here:

 
“While the world applauds achievement, God desires companionship.
The world clamors, ‘Do more! Be all that you can be!’
But our Father whispers, ‘Be still and know that I am God.’”
 

We want the qualities of both Martha and Mary, because both aspects are needed and desired. In fact, when these two energies are in balance, each one contributes to the loving qualities of caring. The trick is that neither should overpower the other.

Keeping everything in balance, however, can be quite the juggling act. Distraction is at an all-time high in our modern lives. Just look at all of us bent over our phones.

With unrelenting daily pressures to complete outer tasks – it's easy to become overwhelmed and distracted by all our "Martha" obligations.

Nurture Your Inner Martha and Mary

Poor Martha, being called-out like that. I hope she got over it, finished what she was doing, and then relaxed and enjoyed the rest of the evening.

What about you? Do you sometimes find you are more Martha or more Mary?

 

Forever Morning Of Awakening

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I Wish It Could Be Morning Forever

Is it truly possible that in all these years of my life, I have really not done anything?

Isn't it strange that after achieving three university degrees, publishing two articles in medical journals, singing with the San Francisco International Opera, working in the legal field, living abroad, and providing medical care for thousands of patients, that you could feel like, well... haven't done that much.

It's as if that was then, and this is now.

No One Described This Part

No one tells you about this getting older part when everything turns inside out. When all the accomplishing, the achieving, the goals obtained, start to fade into dust-like particles.

Don't get me wrong, I'm really glad I did all those things, it's just that now...

What Will Be Of These Last Years Of My Life?

Assuming all goes well, knock on wood, I'll only have about another 20 to get things done. And even considering that, who cares what a 70-year-old says or does?

No one.

I'm already experiencing that in my 50s, it can only go down from here. Yikes. I feel like I've only got a day left to do everything.

Hence, why I want it to remain forever morning.

Early Morning Is Mystical

A forever morning evokes a precious jewel box, tucked inside is the sparkling promise of an entire day. The jewel held inside has awakening, coffee, projects, and plans. Everything can still be accomplished.

Heralded by those first rays of a dawning sun, an early morning is rich with secrets of all that is fresh and new. Yesterday's heavy energies are muted by the softness of a healing night that has passed.

This magical prelude to the day is brief. I drink it in with my coffee and savor the fleeting sparkles of the day's promises.

Wishing for it to linger, I attempt to persuade these ephemeral moments to tarry, but the steadfast sun pays me no heed and moves ever upward in its determined climb.

Full morning bursts upon the scene accompanied by a din of noise pouring forth from the flurry of activities.

Gratitude Each Morning

Each morning graciously presents another opportunity to travel from sunrise to sunset.

Awakening. From hazy dreams, we awaken to the morning, to the meaning of our lives.

We stride into a forever morning of awakening. Sometimes, we stumble. Just keep going.

 

Summer Olympic Games, London 2012

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“The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph, but the struggle.
The essential thing is not to have conquered, but to have fought well.”
— Olympic message
 

The Summer Olympic Games, London 2012

We stand as witnesses now to "the thrill of victory, the agony of defeat" to quote the famous lines from the ABC Wide World of Sports television broadcasts.

Now unfolds a time of human endeavor that ranges from the sublime to the mundane. Olympic records are broken and gold medals are won and 150,000 condoms are handed out to the 10,000 athletes. Human events transpire at the, oh, so human level.

This display of human spirit touches my heart at its most symbolic aspect, even though I am not terribly athletic and have never played team sports. For me, it really isn't so much about the sports themselves, although discovering more about them is delightful, but rather the energy with which they are played.

Displayed before us is an inspiring array of human discipline, persistence and training. These are the same attributes that help us meet the challenges of the spiritual journey.

We celebrate the victories and share the disappoints; human hearts are elated and crushed. It's a reflection of the struggles of our own lives.

Goodwill Between Nations

We share the love people have for their countries and celebrate our differences.

We embrace and enjoy our diversity. The Olympic message, at its core, embodies this principle of celebrating our differences while embracing our oneness.

The Olympic Flame Burns Bright

At the center of these Games, there is a fire burning day and night in the cauldron at the Olympic stadium. This is the Olympic Flame that was lit from the sun in Greece and carried with dedicated care throughout the British Isles.

For those who wish to go deeper, it is an outer flame that also represents the inner flame within each of us, within humanity, our planet and animal kingdoms, and at the heart of our own solar system.

Off we go in the celebration of us.

 

The Kiss Of The Olympic Flame

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Passing The Olympic Flame

When the torchbearers in the Olympic Torch Relay pass the Olympic Flame from one torch to another, it is called "The Kiss."

I discovered this when I was visiting friends in England as the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London were about to begin.

I heard someone say, "The Kiss will take place a block from where I live." Never sure if I'm hearing another unfamiliar British English-ism, I checked in for a translation and clarified its meaning.

Come to find out, we were talking about the Olympic Flame passing from one torch to another as it journeyed throughout Britain.

The Olympic Flame Travels The British Isles

The Olympic Flame went on a journey of 70 days and 8000 miles that covered all corners of the British Isles.  Everyone was a-buzz about the Olympic Flame passing through their towns and villages. I loved hearing their stories. This Olympic Flame seemed to connect with people emotionally, even those who previously thought it wasn't all that interesting.

Many people were able to take time off from work to be there in person. They would patiently stand on the sidewalks with everyone else from their town as they waited for the Flame to pass. 

One woman went out to the street with her mother to watch the Olympic Flame make its appearance. She recounted how they were initially there more out of curiosity than anything else.

However, as the Olympic Flame drew near, people around them became hushed with anticipation as if something wondrous were about to happen. She and her mother found themselves caught up with other spectators in a warm camaraderie.

People called out to one another in muted, respectful voices, "It's coming, it's coming!"

Everyone marveled as the Torchbearer drew near with the Olympic Flame held high. There was something about this Olympic Flame, this Light, that represented all of them in a spirit of goodwill.

Then, as the Flame passed by, both she and her mother began to cry. Quiet tears rolled down their faces as they looked from the Flame to one another. She said they felt their hearts opening and expanding. 

It was entirely unexpected. She couldn't explain why.

The Flame Is Symbolic Of Greater Light

Cherished and protected, the Olympic Flame is kept burning throughout the Games as a reminder of the goodwill and cooperation between nations. The Flame evokes something that is timeless within us; the connection of an inner flame.

One Torch Lights Another, And Then Another

Originally lit from the sun in Greece, the Olympic Flame was carried by 8000 people around the British Isles traveling through rain and shine. People from around the world, with modern means of communication such as Facebook, followed its light-filled journey.

The Olympic Flame is for everyone.

Let the Games begin.

 

The Winding Road Of Life

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Heading Down The Road Of Life

On the "long and winding road" of life... we often find ourselves launched on a discovery process of personal growth.

The further we go into our awareness, the more we start to experience a shift of our focus. Instead of looking only at the minute details of every particular situation, our vision widens to a more inclusive, all-embracing view.

It's that common saying: you can't see the forest for the trees.

In this case, instead of seeing the trees, you start to see the forest.

Our perspective becomes more universal, like broad brush strokes sweeping through the inner landscape.

From Doing To Being

So much of our lives is about doing.

Doing, doing, doing – it becomes a chant of our daily lives. Accomplish this, finish that. Naturally, that's just what we do.

But over time, the accomplishments start to lessen. After all, we have already accomplished so much. It becomes less about the things I do and more about the steadiness of I am.

We shift from the I, and even the you, to a more inclusive state of being. A broader awareness emerges like widening ripples on an infinity pool.

As we move from doing to being, so does our love. Love that has been driven by accomplishment, love that has had to achieve love, now relaxes into simply being love.

Being Love Instead Of Doing Love

On the meditative journey, a shift begins.

The emphasis on doing transforms to a state of being.

Our loving is not so much something we attain and hold forth for all to see, but rather something we are. It's no longer based on the people or circumstances surrounding us.

You're not doing love. You are being love.

The object of your love fades away into pure love. The *I* and the *you* drop off and all you're left with is love.

I love you, I love you, I love you

I love, I love, I love

love, love, love

LOVE

 
“Eventually you will come to understand that love heals everything, and love is all there is.”
— Gary Zukav
 

I couldn't leave you without sharing The Beatles song I think of every time I hear the words "long and winding road."



 

When There Is Only Love

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When Nothing Is Left

It seems like nothing is left when those you love are gone.

After a death of a loved one, you're particularly clumsy and awkward as if you've acquired a unique ability to trip over any and everything.

When my father died, I would often hear a mantra echoing in my mind, telling me to "just hold on..." as I stumbled through my life. But I didn't know what I was supposed to be holding on to.

And Then I Remembered

There really is nothing to hold on to.

In the end, there is only Love.

And even that, you don't hold on to it. You just "be."

 

iconic image by Robert Indiana, 1960s

 

A Day To Be Dying

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What A Day

Today is the day our loved one is dying? “No. Not today. No to death.”

At the cellular level of our bodies, of all organic matter, we are programmed to survive. Programmed to fight death with all we’ve got.

However.

A Final Performance Awaits

Each one of us has been issued a ticket to a last performance.

The very moment we are born, a death sentence is also handed out. It's as if a personal engraved invitation to the event is created, but we can't find the date and time on it.

No matter.

The date and time will find us.

Steve Jobs offered this quote:

 
“If you live each day as if it were your last,
someday you’ll most certainly be right.”
 

Facing Death At The Hospital

It's one thing to say these words and quite another to live them.

The hospital called when my father was admitted. I figured it was just another "tune-up" admission. He'll be admitted for a few days and then sent back home.

This time, however, the doctor insisted I should come. I asked if my father were dying. She skirted around those words and would only say that it was serious. "You should come."

I hastily booked a plane ticket.

Get Back, Death

As much as I tried to defy and force back the hovering clouds of Death waiting to lift our dad away from us, I had no personal power to alter the upcoming event.

My father's heart and kidneys were failing. He was, without question, in a dying process; no other options remained.

My failed attempts to battle and then to bargain with Death brought home the realization of just how small I really was.

Holding A Vigil

With my father in his hospital bed, the family came to visit. We talked.

We recounted stories about the "good old days" and our many adventures together. He was completely past-oriented. When I mentioned something I was going to do in the future, he scarcely heard me. He would pause with a far off look in his eye and immediately return to past events.

Although he didn't eat much, we ordered a few special food requests.

We were blessed to have him for one more week; many people were able to say goodbye.

In the time we still had, it was a good day.

Only Love Remains

My father remained entirely lucid to his last moments. He knew he was dying and accepted this fact with unbelievable equanimity. His calm ability to face the upcoming event took my breath away. His steadiness inspired awe in all who came to see him.

Fully aware his death was coming, he simply asked to not be “hurried along,” then he would add that he didn't want to be a burden either. I did everything in my power to honor his request to not rush the process.

In those last days, with heart-aching wonder, my dad spoke of love like he never had before; how important it is and how essential to tell others that you love them. He worried he had not said it enough.

"Don't worry," we told him, "we knew."

We always knew.

No Matter The Day

Each day I drove to the hospital to see him, I wondered if that very day would be *the* day of his last breath. I constantly reminded myself that this was a part of life even though it gave me little comfort.

Thus, it will be for all of us. I wonder if I'll manage to be even half as brave as my father when that final, dying moment comes.

But, no matter. When that moment comes, it will be my day. When that moment comes for you, it will be your day. All our days will be held in one final breath. 

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My dad's favorite dog, German Shorthaired Pointer
The Dying Lion of Lucerne, Switzerland