There’s something in it that reminds me of the Confucius quote about getting off the stage in old age, but having a great seat in the “front stall” as a spectator.
And I would add - but still making insightful and/or snarky comments to the actors. 😏
Elders have the blessing of living in a world of duality without self-judgment, assessment, or evaluation. And the more they can live in duality - the gift of freedom of late aging, and the imprisonment of the Western cultures' cruelty to growing old, the greater wisdom and equanimity they gain. And it is that wisdom that is their gift. Elders are just learning how to give their gift, to themselves and the world.
So true. At 75 after 50 years of living with the purpose to upgrade the world. Now, seeing the world is opening up, but also struggling, I am torn between the concept is there still more to do and is it time to be within. I find this reassuring…
“It’s the Dharma of the elderly to dwell in the realm of Spirit” is a quote from the author of the game of Leela, Harish Johari.
Just being introduced to the game this year, I read the whole book that accompanies the game board and is the description of the 7 levels (chakras) that we grow through to the Plane of Cosmic Consciousness or Oneness which is the 8th level beyond the body. It is a compilation of the Sanskrit keywords which remained from ancient parchment game boards of Leela and was resurrected by Harish Johari to combine the Sanskrit terms and concepts of contemporary Western Mind.
I've worked with the chakras and the concepts of each level, the positive application and the negative application. Playing the game of rolling one die and proceeding along the squares and up and down the Arrows and Snakes, both my partner and I could see the patterns that were still at work separating us for that oneness. We've both overcome a lot of the road blocks of the ego, but it was funny to see how many times we got sent back to the beginning of the board by Egotism or Negative Intellect or Ignorance.
I was thinking about what to say to you and found this observation I made in my journal today, "The whole basis of the Leela game...you get enlightenment from life through the experiences of life and can go shooting up in consciousness on the arrows (example Charity will raise you on the arrow to Plane of Balance). And because of un-regrouped energy you will take the snake back down to what you haven't mastered yet until you get it." (Example Negative Intellect will take you back to Nullity).
I hope that gives you an idea of the fun of the 'game'. After a lifetime of 'working on myself' so to speak. I still love to be surprised by new information from other ways of interpreting life. As my mentor used to say, "There is nothing new under the sun."
Oh yes to these sea bass years. The confusion of decision-making at 70 for a coming life I don't understand and that has no guarantee. A bout of the lonelies and I don't care, then a bouyancy comes from nowhere and I want at least a good ten more. I read your essays and say, damn, make that 20! Onward🦋♥️It's all I can think to do right now.
"Let them be." I remember the passion with which we protested against the Vietnam War and other sad doings of history 50-some years ago. This gives me hope that the young people will see what's happening and rise up against the dismantling. Thank you!
For no reason in particular, I feel like this is your most beautiful post yet. I can feel the peace and joy in it, in spite and because of it all. This is such a rare gift to give in this moment in time. Thank you!
I love this more than I can say.
There’s something in it that reminds me of the Confucius quote about getting off the stage in old age, but having a great seat in the “front stall” as a spectator.
And I would add - but still making insightful and/or snarky comments to the actors. 😏
Thanks for sharing these insights. I do hope I'm still dancing 5 Rhythms at 80, what a fabulous role model you are 😊
Elders have the blessing of living in a world of duality without self-judgment, assessment, or evaluation. And the more they can live in duality - the gift of freedom of late aging, and the imprisonment of the Western cultures' cruelty to growing old, the greater wisdom and equanimity they gain. And it is that wisdom that is their gift. Elders are just learning how to give their gift, to themselves and the world.
So true. At 75 after 50 years of living with the purpose to upgrade the world. Now, seeing the world is opening up, but also struggling, I am torn between the concept is there still more to do and is it time to be within. I find this reassuring…
“It’s the Dharma of the elderly to dwell in the realm of Spirit” is a quote from the author of the game of Leela, Harish Johari.
I looked up that book/game. Tell me more about it, and how it has affected you
Just being introduced to the game this year, I read the whole book that accompanies the game board and is the description of the 7 levels (chakras) that we grow through to the Plane of Cosmic Consciousness or Oneness which is the 8th level beyond the body. It is a compilation of the Sanskrit keywords which remained from ancient parchment game boards of Leela and was resurrected by Harish Johari to combine the Sanskrit terms and concepts of contemporary Western Mind.
I've worked with the chakras and the concepts of each level, the positive application and the negative application. Playing the game of rolling one die and proceeding along the squares and up and down the Arrows and Snakes, both my partner and I could see the patterns that were still at work separating us for that oneness. We've both overcome a lot of the road blocks of the ego, but it was funny to see how many times we got sent back to the beginning of the board by Egotism or Negative Intellect or Ignorance.
I was thinking about what to say to you and found this observation I made in my journal today, "The whole basis of the Leela game...you get enlightenment from life through the experiences of life and can go shooting up in consciousness on the arrows (example Charity will raise you on the arrow to Plane of Balance). And because of un-regrouped energy you will take the snake back down to what you haven't mastered yet until you get it." (Example Negative Intellect will take you back to Nullity).
I hope that gives you an idea of the fun of the 'game'. After a lifetime of 'working on myself' so to speak. I still love to be surprised by new information from other ways of interpreting life. As my mentor used to say, "There is nothing new under the sun."
It’s the exquisite photograph … it says all to me. Captures you. Beautiful.
Oh yes to these sea bass years. The confusion of decision-making at 70 for a coming life I don't understand and that has no guarantee. A bout of the lonelies and I don't care, then a bouyancy comes from nowhere and I want at least a good ten more. I read your essays and say, damn, make that 20! Onward🦋♥️It's all I can think to do right now.
“the great sea bass of my personality”—love that!
"Let them be." I remember the passion with which we protested against the Vietnam War and other sad doings of history 50-some years ago. This gives me hope that the young people will see what's happening and rise up against the dismantling. Thank you!
What does abdicating the throne mean?
If a king or queen abdicates, he or she makes a formal statement that he or she no longer wants to be king or queen:
SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases. Retiring & resigning.
Passing on the baton.
I love you. I'm another queen, thanks to you! Just beginning my reign. I add my 64 years digits together, so I'm 10 now; perfect.
Oh this terrible world
and still,
there's you all beautiful.
Wow.
Beautiful! Would that we all reach a similar state of grace.
For no reason in particular, I feel like this is your most beautiful post yet. I can feel the peace and joy in it, in spite and because of it all. This is such a rare gift to give in this moment in time. Thank you!