Days 340-341 Truly, Solely, Madly…Be

In a famous Princeton study, a group of Seminarians were recruited under the guise of religious education. The seminarians were asked to give a talk on the parable of the Good Samaritan. They were divided into two groups where the timeframes to arrive at the lecture hall varied. As each seminarian walked to the hall they unexpectedly passed a man who was slumped over on the ground in distress. Several of the seminarians were in too much of a hurry to stop and render assistance.

These results showed that the amount of imposed “hurriedness” on participants had a significant impact on helping behaviors regardless of the fact that they were about to give a lecture on the Good Samaritan. Ironically, when a person is in a hurry he or she will be less likely to help someone in need.

What a powerful illustration of what can happen when we get so caught up in our busyness that we completely miss the opportunity to be there for one another. It is also a cautionary reminder that our daily agenda and list of priorities can take on an inflated sense of importance.

How often do lose out on the chance of being fully present with others in small and big ways? The greatest gift we can offer another human being is the gift is of our full attention. When it comes down to what really matters, this is everything, isn’t it? This generosity of spirit is cultivated by intentional practice.

Incidentally, this is true for how we show up for ourselves too. We tend to ignore our bodies need for rest and relaxation. In our drive to accomplish more we push beyond what is reasonable. When difficult emotions arise that need attention we can quickly dismiss them as irrelevant. Yet, we thirst for mutual understanding, compassion and forgiveness.

In this season of Advent, of hopeful anticipation, may practice generosity by intentionally slowing down and sharing the gift of our true selves.

Note: This essay reflects a few takeaways from listening to Tara Brach speak about generosity. You can listen to this podcast and many other remarkable teachings at: http://tarabrach.com/audioarchives2013.html

Liz Sorensen Wessel

Watercolor by ~liz

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Categories: Reflections, Holidays, Spirituality

7 responses to “Days 340-341 Truly, Solely, Madly…Be”

Erie Chapman Foundation

December 7, 2013 at 8:37 am

I love this essay, Liz, and your watercolor is dazzling. As famous as the Princeton study must be I somehow missed it so was very glad you cited it. When I was sixteen, my father, who was not a minister, gave a sermon he called The Gospel of Interruption about the same subject. Thanks again for this great essay, Liz.

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Maria Doglio

December 7, 2013 at 3:58 pm

I like this quote:
When you recover or discover something that nourishes your soul and brings joy, care enough about yourself to make room for it in your life. ~Jean Shinoda Bolen
I think more and more of us are waking up to slowing down and rethinking the quality of our lives. Self care is so important while reaching out to our fellow travelers in need on planet Earth. When we don’t slow down and when we ignore the needs of humanity as we come across them, it seems that the Universe delivers a one-two punch to wake us up and helps us remember in whatever form is needed – disasters, accidents, illness or loss. These occurrences makes us listen to our hearts. The better we support ourselves with love, the better we support each other with love.
Thank you for your beautiful art with it’s cosmic colors and words of inspiration Liz, as well as the link to Tara Brach.

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Cheri Cancelliere

December 7, 2013 at 4:54 pm

Only when we slow down do we find the time for what is truly important! People (including ourselves) are more important than anything on our “to do” list. One of my theology classmates recently shared that on a recent medical mission the doctor who made the greatest impact was the one who took the time to visit with the people in their homes, ask about their lives and families, and who seemed genuinely interested in what they had to say. In their strongly relational society that was event rather than time oriented, they interpreted the amount of time and personal interest as medical excellence. They may have received more complex treatment from another physician, but it was the one who took the time to see further than their medical condition who won their hearts.

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Maureen McDermott rsj

December 7, 2013 at 7:08 pm

Thank you Liz and what a timely reminder of what is at the heart of Life and Living! Like most of us at this time of the year I have been feeling the absorption that can consume me if I don’t stop, pause, look, enjoy. Here I am living in a beautiful part of our world, surrounded by Beauty in various forms; beach, hills, mountains, trees in bloom as well as the wonderful and inspiring people of the local country towns. I ask myself how often do I sit and be? How much time do I give to God to pamper me?

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Woody Wessel

December 7, 2013 at 10:54 pm

We are trained in this world to keep our heads down and press forward to some great goal. Mothers worry if they don’t get their child in the right pre-school how can they get into Harvard. It takes time to realize that what we are rushing to is the grave. One has stop and shake off a life time of training to see the real world around him, help the poor, care for the sick,defend the weak. You cann’t count on the goverment to do it for you.

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sbeng

December 8, 2013 at 6:59 pm

Liz: Your painting tells me to “slow down, take time to enjoy the beauty and softness of this colorful expression of yours”. The subject matter of your writing brings me to the quote from the 44th Verse by Lao-tzu. “What means more to you, you or your renown? Which brings more to you, you or what you won? I say what you gain is more trouble than what you lose. Love is the fruit of sacrifice, Wealth is the fruit of generosity. A contented man is never disappointed. He who knows when to stop is preserved from peril, only thus can you endure long.” The following is a quote from Dwayne Dyer’s writing expounding the 44th Verse of Lao-Tzu. “The beauty of the wisdom in this 44th verse is that you give away your attachment to things or ways of being, which is what I mean to stop. If the chase is exhausting you stop! When you know to cease and desist, you’re protected from all of those perils, and you’ll enjoy a long and contented existence connected with the Tao. Affirm: The number one priority to my life is my relationship with my Source of being. go there first, before any other considerations, and you’ll automatically discontinue demanding more of anything else. You’ll begin to emulate the Tao effortlessly, living heaven on earth.” Thanks Liz for the beautiful work of art and for your writing which brings food for thought and helps us to prioritize the way we live in the short span of life we have on this earth.

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Amy

December 9, 2013 at 12:45 am

Beautiful and timely. You never cease to amaze me.

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