Living a Conscious Life
Eastertide is a time of fresh starts and new (or renewed) practices. I was reminded of the importance of this during a recent day when I sat with people in spiritual direction sessions.
One of the great mysteries of human existence is the ubiquity of negative self-talk. It afflicts us all, comes from multiple sources, and has an infinite number of variations. But it is transformed in only one way: through consciousness — awareness and acceptance. Only with these can we name what is happening and learn to release the old patterns and scripts.
Enter, the spiritual practices.
One directee who’d just come from a three-day retreat, told me, “I was amazed at the power of my monkey-mind to divert me, to generate endless layers of anxiety, and to push the negative self-talk loops to the surface.”
This week, I share the end of the day “Mirror of Questions” that the late John O’Donohue offered us in his beautiful book, To Bless the Space Between Us. They are meant to be used as we prepare to let go of the day we have lived, surrender it, and allow ourselves to be restored by sleep. I have used these questions over and over again, and found them of great value. I hope you will, too.
A Mirror of Questions
What dreams did I create last night?
Where did my eyes linger today?
Where was I blind?
Where was I hurt without anyone noticing?
What did I learn today?
What did I read?
What new thoughts visited me?
What differences did I notice in those closest to me?
Whom did I neglect?
Where did I neglect myself?
What did I begin today that might endure?
How were my conversations?
What did I do today for the poor and the excluded?
Did I remember the dead today?
Where could I have exploded myself to the risk of something different?
Where did I allow myself to receive love?
With whom today did I feel most myself?
What reached me today? How deep did it imprint?
Who saw me today?
What visitations had I from the past and from the future?
What did I avoid today?
From the evidence – why was I give this day?
Peace be with you.
Anne parker
April 9, 2018at7:36 amwhere was I blind? Wow! Powerful question to ponder. Thank you xo Anne
Susan Porter
April 8, 2018at2:50 pmKathleen,
Thank you for this wonderful list. I never saw it before even though I’m familiar with John O’Donohue’s work. I will have to read the book as well.
I always look forward to your blog posts because I know there will be something in them to make me reflect and gain a new perspective on my day or my life.
Most of my reflection time is at the beginning of the day, but this seems like a rich practice, and I will definitely try out some of these questions at the end of my day.
kathleen.hirsch
April 8, 2018at3:59 pmI love when our interests overlap, Susan!
kathleen.hirsch
April 9, 2018at8:12 amThese are great questions!
Nancy Rappaport
April 8, 2018at8:28 amThank you so much for these questions . I have just started To think about writing a novel and went to the Grub Street muse writing conference . I was overwhelmed with so many writers looking for guidance and dismissed the effort to make community . The risk of creating an imaginary world that means someone. What right to do this and possibly fail. And yet with these questions I thought not only are they good for me that you share but also to think of my character exploration . Thank you
kathleen.hirsch
April 8, 2018at10:33 amCreativity can be high wire, demanding, and filled with angst. Daily practice and shutting out the distractions of the many…essential. Blessings and prayers for your artist’s journey, Nancy!