Be Unafraid of Devotion

Yes, devotion is out of style: too Catholic for the Protestants, too feely for the intellectuals, too tainted by association with murderous suicides, too televangelized for the skeptical...

Claim your right to reclaim devotion, to cultivate it as your own personal relationship with One who might better remain Nameless — and thus avoid the slander and pollution of the insincere and poorly guided.

My yoga teacher bowed respectfully to all who were sincerely devoted to realizing and honoring whichever Expression of Divinity touched their hearts. He admonished them to practice, “yoga plus devotion”: cleanse the mind with yoga and then wholeheartedly cultivate the Love Divine.

I never heard advice more powerfully direct into action the gospels’ words: “Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and all thy mind and all thy soul...”

Sly discouragements

Discouragement comes not only from a no or cold defeat.

It often comes more slyly and despicably, even following achievement or success.

It often comes when you aspire to garner praise or earn reward, for neither is a guarantee for work, however finely done. Or if they come they may arrive and lack the luster of the trophies promised. Avoid such discouragement by working for the love of task, the love of doing all your best, the love of serving whom you love.

Discouragement comes, too, even when you are the only judge. Perhaps you find your task complete, yet not the gem you thought you'd polished: Then offer it with love. It is was best from your moment of performance, the only moment that you have — or ever shall. Please yourself by wrapping work within your finery of attitude: offering the best of yours, offering what you know is your duty of love.