Mission: Take it to the Path

A couple of my fave teachers host a daily-ish zoom, and today they offered, “Whatever comes my way may I take it to the path.”  It reminded  me of the expression, “It’s all grist for the mill,” or the twelve-step version, “We will see how our experience can come to benefit others.”  Or, so Hollywood, “It’s all material.”

But “Take it to the path” hit me more than those for some reason — maybe because it’s an instruction, a mission, something I need to, get to, actively do, participate in.  I’m instructed to take my experiences to the path of skillfulness, compassion, and discernment. 

Life offers lessons in disguise as situations and people that help me grow towards a more connected, contented, useful existence — if I remember to look at them that way.

Otherwise I’m just another carrot chunk in the Vitamix, getting churned around, beaten up, eventually pulverized, walking this earth ever-guarded against the blades of this human existence.  Not fun.

So, I try to hang out with people who remind me: This too shall pass.  And also that.  What am I doing with the inputs I’m getting?  Am I seeking and choosing healthy inputs and outlets, or am I playing victim while villain-izing others who are doing their best, even if it’s not what I’d prefer?

Am I on the path or alone in the storm — carrot-in-the-mixer-style? And when I notice I’m in the storm, off-center, out of whack, do I use what I know to get back? Do I have the courage to ask for help, to keep knocking on doors, keep seeking, until I’m upright again?  Do I treat myself and others with the same kindness I would treat a hurting friend? 

And once I’m upright, when the sun is shining and the rain is gone, do I revel in it, enjoy it, even while I know that too will also pass?  I’m gonna keep going.

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