Blessings

Today is a somber day.

Before writing anything else, I want to acknowledge this sad anniversary and encourage you to include everyone affected by the tragedy of 9/11 in your thoughts or prayers or meditations today. Certainly the families and friends of those killed in the terrorist attacks, but also those whose health was damaged when they joined the heroic response to the death and destruction and all the families who have been forever altered by the war being justified by those attacks. And while we're at it, let's not forget people who are now regarded with instant suspicion because of their religion or nationality.

Whatever the question, love is the answer.

Last night I was reminded by an intrepid blogger of the value of laughter, even—no—especially on a day like this. So today I am going to share one of my favorite sources of laughter: the book Blessings by Julia Cameron.

Before I go any further, let me assure you that I've read The Artist's Way, treasure it, and practice many of its suggestions. I've also read many of the other genuinely helpful books Ms. Cameron has written on spiritual growth and value them as well.

After enjoying Ms. Cameron's book, God Is No Laughing Matter, a few years ago, I went back to the bookstore for more of her work. Blessings was the book I selected that day.

Yikes! I'd never read such silliness. It was so bad that—for the first time in my life—I took a book back to the bookstore. My brother-friend, B, was with me on the return trip. When he asked why I was taking such a radical step, I began reading passages to him. We sat in the bookstore's parking lot for half an hour, reading aloud to one another and LOAO. We howled. Tears streamed from our eyes. Maybe it was the mood we were in, but we laughed so hard it was physically painful. At one point, we looked up to find people in the car next to us staring intently. We still believe they were contemplating a phone call to the men with the little white coats.

We did not return the book. In fact, it has become one of the treasures of our lives. During moments of stress or sadness, we often get it out and read passages to one another. B and I worked together for years, and we used to start potentially tense staff meetings with a passage or two from Blessings. Members of the department practiced impersonations and special voices for these readings and they were always pee-your-pants funny.

Here are two of our favorite passages. Imagine hearing these words in the voice of Julia Child, an evangelical preacher, or Edith Ann from Laugh-In. If that doesn't get you, try Mike Tyson or Dustin Hoffman as The Rain Man. A stoner dude works especially well for the second piece.

My Sense of Touch Gifts Me with Pleasure

I take pleasure in my sense of touch. It grounds me in the physical world. It connects me to my surroundings. The silken feel of a baby's hair, the sleek coat of a dog, the satiny feel of my lover's skin, the sleek hide of a horse—all these bring me pleasure. The cool blessing of water, the hot gift of soup, the warmth of the sun, the gentle touch of wind—all these grace me with their feel. . . .

Yep, you read right: the hot gift of soup.


My Life Is a Jewel Box of Precious Moments

. . .As I experience the power and goodness of the universe, I experience my own power and goodness. I experience that I am enough—more than enough. I experience flow, increased flow, and expanded flow. Opening to receive this flow, I become larger and more magnificient. I am part of a grand and glorious design. A grand and glorious design is part of me. I celebrate the grandeur of this fact with a humble heart.

Flow on, Dude.

Honestly, this is a guilty pleasure. It's not like me to make fun of someone's heartfelt words or their work. But as the contrarian title of her book indicates, God appreciates laughter. And so, I believe, does Ms. Cameron. At least I sure hope so.

Shante, Shante, Shante
(Peace, Peace, Peace)