jimwdollar

We Have To Be Right About What Matters Most

We have to know what matters most and be right about it–and serve it with our life, in each situation as it arises, all our life long. That is, as they say, “all there is to it.” It is like this: Whatever you love, cherish, adore, revere, honor, prize, esteem, treasure, value, acclaim…you know, likeContinue reading “We Have To Be Right About What Matters Most”

The Limits of Religion

Every institutional religious expression from Shaman rituals to high church–whether it is church or masque, temple or synagogue, or anything beyond or between–dirges and celebrations, everything said and done are aligned with what the people expect to hear and see. The limits of religion are the expectations of the people and the tolerance of theContinue reading “The Limits of Religion”

The Structure of Spiritual Reality

Jesus is an ink blot, and God is an optical illusion. So is the Tao—an ink blot, and an optical illusion. So is the Buddha. What we see depends upon how we look. Now you see it, now you don’t. Now it’s like this, now it’s like that. Sometimes it’s this way, and sometimes it’sContinue reading “The Structure of Spiritual Reality”

Your Totem Animal

If you were an animal, what particular animal would you be? If nothing comes immediately to mind, wait for it to come when you call for it. Bring the animal clearly into focus in your mind’s eye. Consider this to be your Totem Animal. For the remainder of this exercise, allow yourself to become theContinue reading “Your Totem Animal”

A Philosophy of Health

What goes into being healthy? That is as rhetorical as a question can be. But, it sets up what is to follow. A healthy lifestyle is more than eating well and exercising. It includes how we set limits, draw lines and establish boundaries—and bear the pain of living within them in conjunction withContinue reading “A Philosophy of Health”

Grounded, Centered, Focused, Awake, Aware, Alive

There are four things doubled into eight things: Tao Dharma Kairos Grace Virtue Vitality Energy Spirit These eight things produce: Harmony Balance Stability Enabling us to be: Grounded Centered Focused Awake Aware Alive All ofContinue reading “Grounded, Centered, Focused, Awake, Aware, Alive”

Our Original Nature

The basic framework/outline/substance of this piece occurred to me in the shower. Our place is to watch for what occurs to us, take note of it, and act on it–if we deem it to be appropriate for the here and now of our living, which I do, so here it is. Our Original Nature isContinue reading “Our Original Nature”

Pivot Points and Perspective Shifts 01

1 The Bible is a treasure trove of metaphorical truth which we miss entirely in our hysterical insistence that everything must be factual, literal, actual, tangible and concrete in order to be real and true. Abraham left home, left everything that was familiar and comfortable, and wandered in the wilderness in search of the LandContinue reading “Pivot Points and Perspective Shifts 01”

The Hero’s Journey

1. The Hero’s Journey consists of doing what needs to be done in each situation as it arises. The Cyclops that stands in our way is always the next thing that we don’t want to do. Do we have what it takes to get up and do the thing without the boost of a PowdermilkContinue reading “The Hero’s Journey”

Good and Bad Religion

1. Bad Religion is grounded on facts. Good Religion is grounded on metaphors and symbols. Bad Religion has symbols too, but calls them facts. Take the bread and wine of Communion. Bad religion says they are the body and blood of Jesus. Period. That’s ALL they are. Any time you can say ALL a symbolContinue reading “Good and Bad Religion”