when self has ceased to be. 2:14 PM

Number 16: I want to hide myself in you (If you and I melt together)

Starting December 27, 2010, I chose the following passage to “unpack” — line by line — as a daily practice to take me into the New Year.

And what is the “unpacking” process? It involves deep concentration on one line at a time, and then writing my response to that line – first with my dominant hand, and then with my non-dominant hand. There are plenty of references on the web to the process of dominant and non-dominant hand-writing. If you haven’t tried it, you may want to. I venture a guess that you will surprise yourself.

I’ll be interested to see what this passage has hidden for me.

Cast Aside What Limits You

— By Dov Baer of Mezherich

The human body is finite;

         the spirit is boundless.

Before you begin to pray,

         cast aside what limits you

         and enter into the world of the Infinite.

Turn to God alone

         and have no thoughts of self at all.

Nothing but God exists for you

         when self has ceased to be.

Dov Baer (d. 1772) was the chief disciple and successor of Rabbi Israel ben Eliezer, the Baal Shem Tov or “Master of the Good Name,” founder of the Hasidic movement of Jewish mysticism, which places devotional prayer at the center of the spiritual life.

Right Hand:

“when self has ceased to be . . .“

(Written on January 8, 2011)

. . . every shadow on the floor, every reflection off the hood of a car will induce humility.

That’s God below me and God blinding me.

A sharp word from another’s mouth will make me pause with compassion and understand that I just may not understand.

I’ll really get it that it’s not all up to me, and that even that thought is loaded with arrogance.

The compulsions that mystify me will fizzle out.

Every waking moment will be in awe of the wonder world that surrounds me like the ocean.

The sustenance and protection of the Self I see in others will be One + the same with the living force in me.

King, Queen, or custodian, it will all be the same to me.

So much of how I’ve spent my energies will look ridiculous to me.

I’ll see – it doesn’t matter what I do, as long as what I do is kind. Corinthian, Kipling, the Gita – this is the bottom line.

Left hand:

“when self has ceased to be.“

. . . I’m so ready.

I say this, but think now, are you really ready to move forward with hope, love, insight, and disengage from the outcome? With 29 Pieces, you didn’t manufacture it. It is quite possibly not your responsibility or quarter to make the call on exactly what it’s going to be.

A stationary place.

An energy.

A traveling show in someone else’s tent.

A traveling show in it’s own tent.

They may not want to travel.

A destination or a tourist?

All in one place.

When self has ceased to be, I can relax + just ride the waves.

— Karen Blessen

www.29Pieces.org

www.29Pieces.blogspot.com

www.29Pieces.tumblr.com

Nothing but God exists for you 1:24 PM

All I See is Part of Me, by Chara M. Curtis
and Cynthia Aldrich

January 8, 2011

Starting December 27, 2010, I chose the following passage to “unpack” — line by line — as a daily practice to take me into the New Year.

And what is the “unpacking” process? It involves deep concentration on one line at a time, and then writing my response to that line – first with my dominant hand, and then with my non-dominant hand. There are plenty of references on the web to the process of dominant and non-dominant hand-writing. If you haven’t tried it, you may want to. I venture a guess that you will surprise yourself.

I’ll be interested to see what this passage has hidden for me.

Cast Aside What Limits You

— By Dov Baer of Mezherich

The human body is finite;

            the spirit is boundless.

Before you begin to pray,

            cast aside what limits you

            and enter into the world of the Infinite.

Turn to God alone

            and have no thoughts of self at all.

Nothing but God exists for you

            when self has ceased to be.

Dov Baer (d. 1772) was the chief disciple and successor of Rabbi Israel ben Eliezer, the Baal Shem Tov or “Master of the Good Name,” founder of the Hasidic movement of Jewish mysticism, which places devotional prayer at the center of the spiritual life.

Right Hand:

“Nothing but God exists for you“

This past Thursday, I went to finish up the MasterPEACE LOVE Lesson at L.L. Hotchkiss Elementary School. Joe Stokes is the rock star art teacher there. Joe teaches five or six 50 minute classes every day, day after day, and has done this for years. To my eyes, he is still at the top of his game, but he has decided to retire and next week is his last at Hotchkiss. The children will be losing a gifted and committed teacher. So Joe is cleaning out his room and gave me some books. He read one of them to me – All I See Is Part of Me, Words by Chara M. Curtis and Illustrations by Cynthia Aldrich. Check it out – it’s the ultimate reality, the perennial philosophy explained for 7 year olds, and for all the rest of us who forget.

Left hand:

“Nothing but God exists for you“

. . . in the form of the oak tree, the boxer, the tumbling leaf, the beleaguered Mom, the sleeping child, and the jerk on the freeway.

All God.

So, every time I’m impatient, or angry, or ungrateful, I’m looking immature + thoughtless to God.

Thus the term ‘God fearing’. Aren’t we all a little afraid that God sitting next to us is getting too close a look?

— Karen Blessen

www.29Pieces.org

www.29Pieces.blogspot.com

www.29Pieces.tumblr.com

Turn to God alone 10:28 AM

The Weather Project video by Olafur Eliasson

January 3, 2011
Line 6

Starting December 27, 2010, I chose the following passage to “unpack” — line by line — as a daily practice to take me into the New Year.

And what is the “unpacking” process? It involves deep concentration on one line at a time, and then writing my response to that line – first with my dominant hand, and then with my non-dominant hand. There are plenty of references on the web to the process of dominant and non-dominant hand-writing. If you haven’t tried it, you may want to. I venture a guess that you will surprise yourself.

I’ll be interested to see what this passage has hidden for me.

Cast Aside What Limits You

— By Dov Baer of Mezherich

The human body is finite;

            the spirit is boundless.

Before you begin to pray,

            cast aside what limits you

            and enter into the world of the Infinite.

Turn to God alone

            and have no thoughts of self at all.

Nothing but God exists for you

            when self has ceased to be.

Dov Baer (d. 1772) was the chief disciple and successor of Rabbi Israel ben Eliezer, the Baal Shem Tov or “Master of the Good Name,” founder of the Hasidic movement of Jewish mysticism, which places devotional prayer at the center of the spiritual life.

Right Hand:

“Turn to God alone . . . “

There is a problem . . .

I turn . . .

But not to:

            A husband

            A phone call to a friend

            The cosmetics counter at Neiman Marcus

            The online shoe store

            The refrigerator

            The glass of wine

            The shrink

            A movie

            The shoot out in my mind

            A replay of events.

But . . . to God.

And if there is discomfort with the name ‘God’ . . . I turn to the Source of all energy, to the Higher Self, to Wisdom, to Love, to Light.

Not so that everyone + everything outside this relationship is neglected, but so that the Love that grows can be given.

Left hand:

“Turn to God alone. “

Ask yourself:

            Who is your God?

I turn to the force of Beauty, Love, Light, Compassion + Wisdom in hope that some of that power will penetrate me, and melt all the petty entanglements that I hold on to.

— Karen Blessen

www.29Pieces.org

www.29Pieces.blogspot.com

www.29Pieces.tumblr.com

And enter into the world of the infinite 5:55 PM

Infinity Dots Mirrored Room, 1996, by Yayoi Kusama 

Starting December 27, 2010, I chose the following passage to “unpack” — line by line — as a daily practice to take me into the New Year.

And what is the “unpacking” process? It involves deep concentration on one line at a time, and then writing my response to that line – first with my dominant hand, and then with my non-dominant hand. There are plenty of references on the web to the process of dominant and non-dominant hand-writing. If you haven’t tried it, you may want to. I venture a guess that you will surprise yourself.

I’ll be interested to see what this passage has hidden for me.

Cast Aside What Limits You

— By Dov Baer of Mezherich

The human body is finite;

            the spirit is boundless.

Before you begin to pray,

            cast aside what limits you

            and enter into the world of the Infinite.

Turn to God alone

            and have no thoughts of self at all.

Nothing but God exists for you

            when self has ceased to be.

Dov Baer (d. 1772) was the chief disciple and successor of Rabbi Israel ben Eliezer, the Baal Shem Tov or “Master of the Good Name,” founder of the Hasidic movement of Jewish mysticism, which places devotional prayer at the center of the spiritual life.

Right Hand:

“and enter into the world of the infinite . . . “

At this moment in time, I feel bogged down . . . limited. Infinity looks to me like a never-ending stream of emails + obligations.

Yet I know that the wonder world is one rotation away, one adjustment of the lens, one step and boom . . . I’m in . . . to that Boundless Spirit described a couple of days ago.

Why, why, why does this petty, self willed, ego-driven combat have such a hold on me? When the real world is glowing with beauty and stillness? I do not have an answer to that question yet. I’m like a boxer, foolishly determined to stay in the ring, after age + experience have shown me all they can about waving + walking away from the ropes, the mat, the crowd + the ceiling.

Left hand:

“and enter into the world of the infinite . . . “

Describe the world of the infinite to me.

It is energy that never ceases, light that always shines. Possibilities, connections that our brain may catch a glimpse of. Everything awes you + nothing should really surprise you when you enter infinity. There will be joy.

— Karen Blessen

www.29Pieces.org

www.29Pieces.blogspot.com

www.29Pieces.tumblr.com

Cast aside what limits you 6:14 PM

Installation by Yayoi Kusama

Starting December 27, 2010, I chose the following passage to “unpack” — line by line — as a daily practice to take me into the New Year.

And what is the “unpacking” process? It involves deep concentration on one line at a time, and then writing my response to that line – first with my dominant hand, and then with my non-dominant hand. There are plenty of references on the web to the process of dominant and non-dominant hand writing. If you haven’t tried it, you may want to. I venture a guess that you will surprise yourself.

I’ll be interested to see what this passage has hidden for me.

Cast Aside What Limits You

— By Dov Baer of Mezherich

The human body is finite;

                  the spirit is boundless.

Before you begin to pray,

                  cast aside what limits you

                  and enter into the world of the Infinite.

Turn to God alone

                  and have no thoughts of self at all.

Nothing but God exists for you

                  when self has ceased to be.

Dov Baer (d. 1772) was the chief disciple and successor of Rabbi Israel ben Eliezer, the Baal Shem Tov or “Master of the Good Name,” founder of the Hasidic movement of Jewish mysticism, which places devotional prayer at the center of the spiritual life.

Line 4

cast aside what limits you

Right hand (dominant):

Oh boy, I know there’s a deeper response here. I’m not getting there. What limits me? 

Limits me from doing what?

Accomplishing my artistic goals?

Getting my way?

Having what I want?

Arriving at a full blossoming of Love?

Doing this important work?

Descending into self will + selfishness?

How do I not throw the baby out with the bath water? If I cast aside everything that limits me, what the heck is left?

The list of limits:

Negativity

Dwelling on the faults of others

Relationships

My dog

The cats

(Dec. 31, 2010)

The laundry

Self will

Housework

Appetites

Frittered time:

            Email

            Facebook

            Movies

            Shopping

            Telephone

Doubt

Fear

Age

Gender

Compulsions

Entanglements

Resentments

Every entanglement — whether with a person, a habit, or an emotion — is a tether. How do you slip out of the collar, but still love the leash, and the one who hooked you to it?

Yet . . .

. . . the words “cast aside” suggest that we choose to construct this burden, that we either carry, confront, or live within it.

My image suggests slipping out of a collar that another has put on me.

The author’s suggestion is that it is my invention to walk away from — to shed something that once I may have called ‘mine.’

Line 4

cast aside what limits you

Left hand:

When this coat has grown too small, take it off, leave it be.

It may fit someone else perfectly.

Kick it to the side.

Make room.

This could take years.

1 year – abandon silly distractions

2 year – get a smaller house

3 year – clean out closets.

4 year – forgive everyone

5 year – forgive yourself

and on and on . . .

Finally – give up the ego.

But if we’re going to do this every time we pray, we need to be a bit of a quick-change artist. Get naked right now. Humble yourself. Fess up. It’s a good thing that talks with God are a ‘come as you are’ party. Otherwise, we’d never get past the velvet rope.

— Karen Blessen

www.29Pieces.org

www.29Pieces.blogspot.com

www.29Pieces.tumblr.com

Before you begin to pray 9:20 PM

From Ashes and Snow, by Gregory Colbert

Starting December 27, 2010, I chose the following passage to “unpack” — line by line — as a daily practice to take me into the New Year.

And what is the “unpacking” process? It involves deep concentration on one line at a time, and then writing my response to that line – first with my dominant hand, and then with my non-dominant hand. There are plenty of references on the web to the process of dominant and non-dominant hand writing. If you haven’t tried it, you may want to. I venture a guess that you will surprise yourself.

I’ll be interested to see what this passage has hidden for me.

Cast Aside What Limits You

— By Dov Baer of Mezherich

The human body is finite;

                  the spirit is boundless.

Before you begin to pray,

                  cast aside what limits you

                  and enter into the world of the Infinite.

Turn to God alone

                  and have no thoughts of self at all.

Nothing but God exists for you

                  when self has ceased to be.

Dov Baer (d. 1772) was the chief disciple and successor of Rabbi Israel ben Eliezer, the Baal Shem Tov or “Master of the Good Name,” founder of the Hasidic movement of Jewish mysticism, which places devotional prayer at the center of the spiritual life.

Line 3:

Before you begin to pray

Right hand (dominant):

Yes, before you and I meet, face to face, what do I do? Step 1: Put on make-up, get a manicure, pick out a pressed blouse. Step 2: rehearse my lines, finesse the agenda, staple a packet together? Step 3: Put on my best smile.

Ha! That would make YOU smile, wouldn’t it?

Your vision is infinitely more acute than the best camera, and much more forgiving, all love, all compassion.

You see through me. No saffron robe, no designer outfit, no crown, no collar will fool you.

Before I begin to pray, I acknowledge that you are a know-it-all.

Before you begin to pray

Left hand (non-dominant):

Why does it take you so long to settle deep into the self – deep into union?

Phone calls, make the bed, feed the dog, answer mail, order a new bedspread, pay a bill, and on + on.

What comes first. Every day, every hour, every moment, the decision —

Where do I live?

I live in Love.

— Karen Blessen

www.29Pieces.org

www.29Pieces.blogspot.com

www.29Pieces.tumblr.com

The spirit is boundless 3:11 PM

A whirling Dervish in Turkey

December 28, 2010

Cast Aside What Limits You

— By Dov Baer of Mezherich

The human body is finite;

                  the spirit is boundless.

Before you begin to pray,

                  cast aside what limits you

                  and enter into the world of the Infinite.

Turn to God alone

                  and have no thoughts of self at all.

Nothing but God exists for you

                  when self has ceased to be.

Dov Baer (d. 1772) was the chief disciple and successor of Rabbi Israel ben Eliezer, the Baal Shem Tov or “Master of the Good Name,” founder of the Hasidic movement of Jewish mysticism, which places devotional prayer at the center of the spiritual life.

Line 2:

the spirit is boundless

Right hand (dominant):

Here I am . . . a moving co-ordinate, a fuzzy hologram, detectable only with special goggles that can see me whirling through this infinite ocean of spirit.

There are no boundaries on this map. In fact, if there even is a map, it’s way beyond our comprehension.

This spirit . . . this energy . . . is within, without, in front of, behind, on top + below.

There are those who impose boundaries, when in fact there are none. I’ve done that. Sometimes it’s so frightening, too threatening to consider the infinite power within reach, if we could just lighten our load, and get out of the way.

the spirit is boundless

Left hand (non-dominant):

We have been so fortunate – to be graced with this wonder world where the most humble moth can take our breath away with its beauty + easy flight. We’re not sentenced to a dreary moonscape of grey gravel + rock. Here we are, where boundless spirit takes its form as a redwood, a house cat, an elephant, a butterfly, a tulip. The experience of the intense beauty of it all is followed quickly by the hot threat of losing it all.

The spirit is boundless.

And we are a tick on a timeline – or not. This is our wonder world to protect + appreciate, and honor. The spirit is boundless and it is fervent. It will survive, when the elephant, the flower + I do not.

— Karen Blessen

www.29Pieces.org

www.29Pieces.blogspot.com

www.29Pieces.tumblr.com

Starting December 27, 2010, I chose this passage to “unpack” —  line by line — as a daily practice to take me into the New Year.

And what is the “unpacking” process? It involves deep concentration on one line at a time, and then writing my response to that line – first with my dominant hand, and then with my non-dominant hand. There are plenty of references on the web to the process of dominant and non-dominant hand writing. If you haven’t tried it, you may want to. I venture a guess that you will surprise yourself.

I’ll be interested to see what this passage has hidden for me.