A playful look at spiritual growth through Cynthia Bourgeault’s Practicing Living Presence. Your personality isn’t the enemy—it’s just your inner Border Collie learning to sit, stay, and let essence lead.
It might’ve taken me getting knocked down sick for awhile to even comprehend this. My whole life I worked 2 long term jobs that both hired me for my “personality” & to be that personality (me) in the public eye at work so I basically got paid to be the real me (or the real “ego”) with just an occasional tweak & then lived it outside of work too like i always had. Border collie 24/7.
It changed a lot in my personal life when I got sober but the same ego me was still expected & wanted at work so it was an interesting balancing act. And after reading this - surprise! Deeply needed! - even as I was forced to retire & try to get well, this still applies - in fact, applies even more since without work it could easily be even more Border Collie driving the car. Thanx for the Practical Training for my inner collie or I’d be a lost cause. Because even while dedicated to being on the spiritual path, i could never try to shoot the dog. I’d just shoot myself instead. So THANK YOU profusely, again I repeat, for the practical training. 🙏
The Border Collie never stops wanting to help, even when the field is empty. You didn’t lose her when you got sober, you just learned who’s holding the leash. Blessed be the ones who can rest without guilt and still love the dog that got them this far.
Comparing the spiritual path with training a dog is funny but I can relate, since I’ve survived dog training with several maniac puppies in my life!🐾
Exactly! Every mind needs obedience school before it can fetch stillness. The trick is to love the puppy without letting it drive the car.
It might’ve taken me getting knocked down sick for awhile to even comprehend this. My whole life I worked 2 long term jobs that both hired me for my “personality” & to be that personality (me) in the public eye at work so I basically got paid to be the real me (or the real “ego”) with just an occasional tweak & then lived it outside of work too like i always had. Border collie 24/7.
It changed a lot in my personal life when I got sober but the same ego me was still expected & wanted at work so it was an interesting balancing act. And after reading this - surprise! Deeply needed! - even as I was forced to retire & try to get well, this still applies - in fact, applies even more since without work it could easily be even more Border Collie driving the car. Thanx for the Practical Training for my inner collie or I’d be a lost cause. Because even while dedicated to being on the spiritual path, i could never try to shoot the dog. I’d just shoot myself instead. So THANK YOU profusely, again I repeat, for the practical training. 🙏
The Border Collie never stops wanting to help, even when the field is empty. You didn’t lose her when you got sober, you just learned who’s holding the leash. Blessed be the ones who can rest without guilt and still love the dog that got them this far.