Many years ago I started to write a book to describe my experiences living with Multiple Sclerosis. At the time I felt ready to write the book because I was feeling I had finally reached that point in life where I had endured enough hardships and was prepared to set myself up for a brighter, less turbulent future. Writing this tonight almost makes me laugh at how arrogant I was to assume that "my work was done" .
The book's title is "Madness inside of Sanity - My Shadow MS". I never finished the book, perhaps it is a project I will pick up again one day. At least with this blog, I am getting plenty of regular writing practice. Last year, I happened across this book in a secondhand book store - naturally it was the title that stood out at first "Beyond Sanity and Madness - The Way of Zen Master Dogon". I have not read the book in its entirety but occasionally flick through reading and digesting random passages.
After my writing attempt last last night, I am not surprised that I was drawn to pick out this book from my shelf tonight. It is cold outside, so to curl up inside a blanket with a hot water bottle, hot cup of tea and an interesting book is for me pampering at its best. Here are a couple of passages that spoke to me today : "... you learn to listen, not just with your ears but with your whole body and mind. Then during extended periods of sitting, things begin to settle and are slowly digested. This opens the mind to allow more teaching to enter. It is a kind of osmosis ..." and then " ... of course pain can never be avoided, but it does not necessarily have to turn to suffering. In fact, being at one with your pain leads to the end of all suffering ... It is only though experiencing your own pain that you can clarify the Way and identify with the suffering of all sentient beings. If you hold back and resist, true wisdom and compassion cannot arise ...".
Well it's time to put my nose back in the pages with the promise of gently falling into a deep, undisturbed sleep.
Flying Solo Tip 014365 : Sanity and madness are arbitrary terms; by appreciating our own fluid nature, we can compassionately identify with others.