Chapter 3: Our Four Insights
Labora est ora.
[Let work be your prayer.]
-St. Benedict
I read this and think of life, in general, being a prayer in motion. Being fully present and aware every moment of the day. Consciously eating and tasting the flavors in every bite of food without gulping it down, practically unchewed. Being present with others – giving them full attention rather than half listening.
But with work too. I really love the way Matthew and Terces talk about their thoughts on St. Benedict’s words, compared to the frequent drudge of people these days punching the time clock, half dead.
In other words, prayer does not necessarily consist only of a special time set aside and away from distractions, but in the realization that every moment is sacred, and every act of labor we perform is meaningful when done with a clear mind and intent, focused wholly on the task at hand and consecrated to the beautiful mystery of the moment.
Interestingly, they bring up the idea of being “clear” in this chapter (which I will learn more about in the next chapter, they say!)… And my last 3 days of reading in this, I couldn’t help but see, acknowledge and clear away some of the distractors in my life. It was in the process of thinking of business in this way, opening myself to what I need to do, and focusing on REALLY digesting this book and the ideas… that some of the drama in my life has melted away.
It’s really quite strange that I’ve had this one person as a distractor for weeks now. It’s really unlike me (well, since I changed my diet anyways!). Although I have still been fully aware in many cases, it’s been less than ideal.
But today, for the first day in quite some time, I awoke without thoughts of any of those distractions. Boli Broccoli (raw wonderdog) got some snuggle time before anything else. And then I was looking forward to delving into today’s chapter and the “work” I have to do today. That’s it. No drama. I believe it is my time in the 3 chapters in this book so far that helped to “clear” me. This is what has been missing. Real time spent with myself, thinking through what is happening in my life.
Finally, again, I am open to the flow of my life. I feel at real peace today.
Time to Drop the Drama!
I don’t want to share too much from the book itself, but I like the thought behind 4 Insights. I’m already into being present and love so much to give of myself in my classes and business… but the fourth one in particular is one I am going to think on more (being an invitation).
