Yesterday, a group of us met for another of many years of what we’ve called “Quantum Lunch.” It’s always a rich feast of conversation inspired by the new sciences and transformational wisdom traditions. Today’s topics included: Why Hasidic teachers are the best story tellers, the question of the importance and possibility of forgiveness, what we should and shouldn’t expect from the rest of the Bush administration, the nature of evil, and the art of dying an intentional death. The usual mix.

What’s always most refreshing is the fearless facing of whatever question raised. It is the grace of freedom in having absolutely no boundaries to the conversation, made possible by the delicious permission to come to no conclusions. The learning is always amazing when we don’t have to waste time trying to convert or be converted to any single story.

According to Byron Katie in “A Thousand Names For Joy”, when we stop believing in any single story as the only story, we don’t let go of it. It lets go of us.

I find that it is very possible to have moments where we can be wise but not smart, and conversely, smart but not wise. Likewise, we can be ignorant but not stupid, and stupid but not ignorant. The more distinctions we have, the more possibilities we see.

I’m working on translations for the 4 thuths. Translation of the 4th Truth: To do well is to act without hesitation. It is a declaration of full engagement in action.

“Conscious Becoming” is based on four simple truths. It’s interesting that everyone who’s read the book so far, all giving rave previews, says that there is always one of the four truths that resonates most with them. Meaning, it speaks to their soul, calls forth deep reflection, reflects a challenge they trust to hold new gifts.

Everything in life happens
the moment it becomes fully possible.

Whatever story we tell ourselves about reality
is only one possible story.

Whatever we’re doing right now
is only one possible thing to do.

We don’t need a different reality
to do what else is possible right now.

Which one stands out for you?

I am very happy to announce the arrival of “Conscious Becoming.” It’s now available at DesigningLife.com and at the Tremont indie Visible Voice Bookstore.

It explores what it means to be conscious in everyday living and it has had rave previews so far. People have been asking how long it took for this one and the answer, depending on your perspective on beginnings, is either 6 weeks or 30 years. It will be featured in a Meet The Bloggers podcast next month.

The intention of the book is to inspire your own deep exploration of the question of what it means to be conscious of ourselves, each other, and our world. I promise you that the exploration will surprise and enlighten you.

A current list of some of my sustainable practices, always knowing more are possible.

1 Eating/cooking vegetarian & organic
2 Cooking using only manual powered tools
3 Cutting grass with a hand mower
4 Ordering out portions that don’t require doggie-bags
5 Living in a walking neighborhood, using bicycle & public transport
6 Recycling weekly
7 Driving a high-mileage car with all major recycled mechanicals & systems
8 Maintaining a paperless office & ink cartridge recycling
9 Handwashing & air drying dishes
10 Donating time to environmental groups
11 Reading all purchase labels & know their origins
12 Voicing passion for sustainability with every corporation I work with
13 Shopping to support local living economies
14 Starting every long-term planning facilitation with a “7th generation perspective”
15 Doing daily yoga & meditation
16 Carrying a cloth sack to the store and market
17 Using only hand-cranked eco-flashlights & low energy light bulbs
18 Cleaning with eco-friendly products

What’s on your list?

I’ve been rereading some Alan Watts essays I haven’t read since the ’70’s, but remember almost by heart. In one, he suggests we transcend linear thinking of cause-effect and he instead suggests his invented word, goeswith. The idea honors the co-emergent arising of phenomena from the seamless, quantum field of oneness. As in, clouds goeswith rain, commuters goeswith traffic, wisdom goeswith experience, baseball goeswith summer.

One suffering’s truth is another joy’s lie.

It’s a good day when we don’t confuse what we think with who we are. The practice is the question, “Who am I without this thought?”