“Our way of being brings about either more suffering and fear or more surrender into love.”– Gail Brenner
So my creative project today was drawing an octopus. I’d show you a photo, but you’d likely laugh.
But since you can never express too much creativity, I also decided to write a little blog post, partly so I can wish you the best weekend of your life and also because I mentioned earlier this week a second book worth gushing over.
Turns out, it’s not exactly a book (it WAS recommended at my book group and indeed I did access it through the library), but it’s actually a Sounds True offering called Creating a Culture of Tenderness.
Basically, it’s an interview between Pema Chodron and Father Gregory Boyle who started Homeboy Industries, an inspiring program for former gang members.
Although they disagree about the language (Father Boyle, naturally, calls it God and that word makes Pema, a Buddhist monk, squirm), they’re talking about ultimate truth. The unshakeable truth that each of us (no exceptions) is valuable, decent and whole.
And God or the Infinite Field of Potentiality or Cosmo K, as I’ve been known to call it, is that which returns us to ourselves—the kindness of ourselves, the worthiness of ourselves, the ultimate truth of ourselves.
The ego, of course, has dished up a bunch of crap, telling us there’s something wrong with us or wrong with other people or wrong with the world in general.
As one of the homies says in the discussion, “Your early experiences shape a certain way that you see yourself and that shapes a certain way you see the world.”
Luckily, none of it is true.
And that’s what the Course does—trains us to see ourselves in a different way. Father Doyle joking called it “The Discovery Channel.”
I’ll end with this Buddhist text that Father Boyle often repeats, “Oh nobly born, oh you who are the eternal children of God, of Life Eternal, of the Divine, do not forget who you really are, do not forget your true nature.”
And that, my friends, is what I’ve been repeating to myself all week. I am nobly born.
Hope you recognize this truth, too, as you enjoy the very best weekend of your life.
#222 Forever!
Pam Grout is the author of 22 books including E-Squared, Thank & Grow Rich , The Course in Miracles Experiment: A Starter Kit for Rewiring Your Mind (And Therefore Your World)and her latest, The Ego’s Playbook.
11 Responses
The octopus you drew is nobly born. Thank you for illuminating “The Discovery Channel!”
Dear Nobly Born Pam,
Thank you for another very insightful post! It’s so true, our way of being in the world will either bring great suffering or freedom. If we believe that we are “of this world,” it will unfortunately be the first.
I loved what you shared from Father Doyle–both the “Discovery Channel” and the Buddhist Prayer that he often repeated: “Oh nobly born, oh you who are children of God, of LIfe Eternal, of the Divine, do not forget who you really are, do not forget your true nature.” So, wonderful. Yes, we must re-cognize (know again) that which we are.
When I saw your illustration of the person within the cage, I wondered if you had ever heard about how monkeys are caught. I would think that you have. To catch a monkey, the trapper makes a hole in a cococunt, the size of a monkeys hand, and then scoops out the contents. He/she then places tasty treats inside and ties the coconut to a tree. When the monkey puts its hand inside, it clutches the treat and then can’t retrieve it’s hand. It could free itself, if it would only let go of the treat. Not unlike our belief in being the person full of desire. We could be free if we would only let go.
Blessings! 🙂 🙏🏻
I often see 222 and always send out a hi to Taz. And sometimes ask her to send me a blessing from the other side.
Your emails usually get priority attention as soon as I see them. Your books and perspective are healing.
I am an avid reader, and many of the books you have recommended have changed my life—as have you! Thank you, Pam, for changing the world one positive thought at a time. You are one of my favorite people!
I’ll second Ronnie’s comment! Whenever I see an email and post from you dear Nobly Pam, I see it as a gift. Thank you for a wonderful way to start the weekend. For the record, your octopus drawing could be no funnier than my efforts lol! Here’s to all our creations, in whatever form they manifest. ❤️
May we all remember, and never forget, who we truly are, and may we each live from that place of worthiness, kindness and love, so that the whole world will shine with our combined beautiful light. 🌏🌟 Thank you Pam for doing your part in helping us to remember who we are, and for shining your light so brightly that we are able to see these truths more clearly. 🌝💖⭐️Have a fabulous weekend yourself! 🐙🦋🌷
Thank you, Pam, for this beautiful quote. I wish you a fabulous, blessed weekend, too.
Diana Leotta
I wanna see the octopus sketch/scribble! Have a magical weekend Pam! {{hedgehugs}}
Me toooo!!! Octopus are my absolute favorite creature!
Beautiful, Pam—I have countless occasions where your posts have made my day better. THANK YOU. You always seem to have this outlook of a deeper, truest nature that sets my soul free and allows me to remember my divinity. Thank you. I needed this message today. My 22-year-old daughter is struggling listening to the ego of false lies and fear for the next steps of her life. She has always been such a light and it has been hard to see her struggle to find her footing in the falsest fears of this life. Your message to always remember your truest nature allowed me to share that sweet sentiment with her to hopefully help her remember to see and believe in the greatness that she is in this world. Thank you. Thank you for continuing to do your great work and bringing light and love to so many. You are a gift and I wanted to sincerely thank you for the courage you are in this life. I have often thought of you and your beloved daughter and how you must miss her so. I have just my one precious daughter and the thought of a life without her is soul crushing. I am sure you have your days and your moments, understandably. I just wanted you to know I SEE YOUR COURAGE and STRENGTH. THANK YOU for sharing so much of yourself and the gifts you are given. You help the world every single day. There are not enough words of thanks for you and the beautiful gift that is you. Bless you and happiest weekend…new year…blessed life to you. xoxo -Heather
I love you, Pam!