Opening Words:
"By being receptive, we can avail ourselves of the spiritual wealth available to us. By being open, we can receive things beyond what we ourselves might imagine."
— Deng Ming-Dao in Everyday Tao
Check-in/Sharing
Topic:
In Blue Truth: A Spiritual Guide to Life & Death and Love & Sex, David Deida sheds light on what the spiritual practice of openness means in terms of relationships, self-realization, and our emotional life:
"Right now, and in every moment, you are either closing or opening. You are either stressfully waiting for something — more money, security, affection — or you are living from your deep heart, opening as the entire moment, and giving what you most deeply desire to give, without waiting. If you are waiting for anything in order to live and love without holding back, then you suffer. Every moment is the most important moment of your life. No future time is better than now to let down your guard and love.
"Everything you do right now ripples outward and affects everyone. Your posture can shine your heart or transmit anxiety. Your breath can radiate love or muddy the room in depression. Your glance can awaken joy. Your words can inspire freedom. Your every act can open hearts and minds. Opening from heart to all, you live as a gift to all. In every moment, you are either opening or closing. Right now, you are choosing to open and give fully or you are waiting."
For Reflection/Journaling:
Are you waiting for anything in order to live and love without holding back?
Check-out/Likes and Wishes
Closing Words:
"Openness is a receptivity to everyone and everything. It is quite fundamentally an other-centeredness, a disposition of availability to others.
— Wayne Teasdale in The Community of Wisdoms
To Practice This Thought: Whenever you feel you could be more open to the moment, adopt a gesture — hands cupped upward, for example — to signify your receptivity to others and God.
