The best thing that I did this year was appear on Buddha at the Gas Pump. I was fearful about it, but I think it worked out well. Not only that, I gained some new readers and listeners.

I have been writing a long time and am saving the best part for last, perhaps. That is to say, I am a late bloomer any way you look at it. I watched the non-dual scene come and go. That happened when people were in Yahoo chat rooms. Now on Facebook and in blogs and on YouTube, anyone can be an authority on something.

My authority is on picking up the pieces! I seem to be good at that, since I write in pieces and find lots of worth in them. I have never been interested in writing for magazines or ezines. My personal approach is just that—personal! I zoom in instead of out and as an introvert, that is what I am good at.

My essays are underpinned with the studies I have made in all kinds of spiritual endeavors. Sufism attracts me, as it favors a poetical view of life. But Vernon Howard taught in a singular way about waking up. I came to his school when I was still mourning the loss of my daughter. What he taught focused on the inner life and I was deeply attracted to that.

Instead of grieving, I listened to his talks on tape and then took notes on them. I also noted that I wasn’t making any progress. And that is because there is no one there to make any progress!

We are all the whole thing and the individual thing at the same time. The Tao defines us as nothing and everything. It’s kind of like rubbing your stomach and patting your head. You can’t ever do it very well, and that’s the point. This is not about measurement but about SEEING.

When you see clearly, there is a silence that falls like snow and you then hear clearly the sound of one hand clapping.

I shall stop here and wish you all a very Happy New Year!

Don’t be a stranger.

Love,
Vicki