One of Philip’s comments which really struck me was this:
He said he finds more support for his growth in quantum physics than in psychology – specifically because quantum physics focuses on asking questions whereas psychology supplies answers.
He said, “I don’t want answers! Answers stop me. I love questions.”
Don’t you just love that?!
I love the path of open questions too.
Here’s a poem in which Mary Oliver asks some wonderful and simple questions. Bold added by me. :)
Gratitude
the low-flying sparrow;
the bat, on the wind, in the dark;
big-chested geese, in the V of sleekest performance;
the soft toad, patient in the hot sand;
the sweet-hungry ants;
the uproar of mice in the empty house;
the tin music of the cricket’s body;
the blouse of the goldenrod.
the little bluebirds in their hot box;
the salty talk of the wren,
then the deep cup of the hour of silence.
the carrot, rising in its elongated waist;
the onion, sheet after sheet, curved inward to the
pale green wand;
at the end of summer the brassy dust, the almost liquid
beauty of the flowers;
then the ferns, scrawned black by the frost.
her language beyond all nimbleness of tongue, her
recklessness, her loyalty, her sweetness, her
sturdy legs, her curled black lip, her snap.
the everlasting in its bonnets of wool;
the kinks and turns of the tupelo’s body;
the tall, blank banks of sand;
the clam, clamped down.
the sea and its triangles;
the sea lying back on its long athlete’s spine.
the eye of the pond;
the wet face of the lily;
the bright, puckered knee of the broken oak;
the red tulip of the fox’s mouth;
the up-swing, the down-pour, the frayed sleeve
of the first snow-
Here are some other open questions I love to ask myself, in no particular order:
- What do I need to do to deepen my self-respect?
- How could I make what I’m doing less effortful and more pleasurable?
- Have I experienced joy with sufficient gratitude?
- How might I find a life-giving relationship with this?
- What would LOVE do?
And as the Jewish saying goes,
“Why ruin such a good question
with an answer?”
What are some of your favorite open questions?
Truly, I’d love to hear.
One last poem.
A fave from William Stafford.
(We first were introduced to Stafford’s poetry at a reading by Robert Bly and Martin Prechtel years ago in Taos, New Mexico. Bly said, “Do you know Bill Stafford’s poetry?” And when much of the audience was quiet and unresponsive, he practically yelled “You’ve GOT to read Bill Stafford!” Note duly taken. :) We’ve become fans.)
The Way It Is
There’s a thread you follow. It goes among
things that change. But it doesn’t change.
People wonder about what you are pursuing.
You have to explain about the thread.
But it is hard for others to see.
While you hold it you can’t get lost.
Tragedies happen; people get hurt
or die; and you suffer and get old.
Nothing you do can stop time’s unfolding.
You don’t ever let go of the thread.
~ William Stafford ~
p.s. Last week I opened registration for my first e-course (with many more to follow!) I’m thrilled to have many wonderful people signed up from around the country to join me in a gratitude journey. Or as one participant called it “Grati-June.” :) Love it! I’d love it if you’d like to join us! Details are below.
p.p.s. Please note that our Wednesday morning meditation will continue through May and will go on summer vacation starting in June. Our last Wednesday morning sit will be next week on 5/28.
Don't miss a single post. Sign up here to get them delivered straight to your inbox.
