THE RHYTHM OF PRESENCE
It is far more creative to work with the idea of mindfulness
rather than with the idea of will.
Too often people try to change their lives
by using the will as a kind of hammer
to beat their life into proper shape.
The intellect identifies the goal of the programme,
and the will accordingly forces the life into that shape.
This way of approaching the sacredness
of one's own presence is externalIst and violent.
It brings you falsely outside yourself
and you can spend years lost in the wildernesses
of your own mechanical, spiritual programmes.
You can perish in a famine of your own making.
If you work with a different rhythm,
you will come easily and naturally home to your self.
Your soul knows the geography of your destiny.
Your soul alone has the map of your future,
therefore you can trust this indirect, oblique side of your self.
If you do, it will take you where you need to go,
but more importantly,
it will teach you a kindness of rhythm in your journey.
There are not general principles for this art of being.
Yet the signature of this unique journey
is inscribed deeply in each soul.
If you attend to your self and seek
to come into your own presence,
you will find exactly the right rhythm for your life.
John O'Donohue, Anam Cara
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