My personal spiritual authority does not come

from creeds written by men of power

hundreds of years ago or from TV preachers

with clay feet pontificating on

shoulds and should nots, from people

who think they know what

I should or should not do,

believe or not believe.

 

It comes from moments of being totally present

to all beings, all creation, all experiences,

when I say yes to each thought, feeling,

and emotion that crosses my path,

when I open myself to mindful surrender,

let go, and allow loving kindness,

gratitude, and appreciative joy

to permeate my whole being

Those moments when the world stands still,

the heart opens,

the curtain is parted,

and I sense something beyond…

something that I sometimes glimpse,

that sometimes eludes me

but I know is there

in the deepest part of me

where all chatter ceases

and authenticity and compassion reign.

(with gratefulness to the Chrysalis Institute’s leaders for the 2015-2016 Spiritual Paths: Carol, Kay, Philip, Susan, & Vicki)