“Absolutely unmixed attention is prayer.”—Simone Weil
If you happened to read my last book, you know I’m a fan of Byron Katie. I’ve attended her Nine-Day School for the Work. I interviewed her for Ego’s Playbook and well, basically I worship the ground she walks on.
I recently heard her tell a story that absolutely torpedoed my mind. And that’s saying a lot since I’m a longtime collector of “You are never going to believe this” stories.
Money falling out of the sky? Check.
Finding a lost key in an ocean? But, of course.
Being summoned to Ecuador through dreams? How else would a medicine man with no phone or email contact you?
But this story, nearly impossible to buy if you live in the standard materialist reality, demonstrates what all those sages and gurus mean when they suggest “being here now.” Being anywhere else is ultimately self-limiting.
Anyway, Katie arrived home after a vacation with her family only to open the door and discover that all their possessions were gone—jewelry, furniture, antique guns, pictures and family albums. The neighbors, who saw a moving van pull into the driveway, assumed the family was moving.
Katie’s husband and kids freaked out. I mean, how dare they take our precious things?
Katie, on the other hand, recognized that all those things were no longer hers. In that moment, she no longer owned that jewelry, those photos.
I’m far from a materialist, but if someone ran off with my photo albums of Taz or her artwork (heck, I’ve kept her bedroom just like she left it when she moved to college), I would fuss and ruminate and gunk up my energy field with anger.
Katie, on the other hand, could think of no good reason to hurt herself by giving any thought to the perceived unfairness of it all.
Those things? No longer hers. They belonged in a previous “now.” She prefers to enjoy the gifts in this “now.”
I’m sure digging my Mexican “now” and I trust you’re also enjoying yours.
#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.
29 Responses
Hello Pam,
Thank you for sharing another meaningful post. So many fleeting thoughts ran through my awareness as I read it; not the least of which was that the thieves only hurt themselves; for in doing to another, that same type of energy will return to them. I also think this is a cautionary account of attachment to “apparent” things. I have next to nothing “physical” of “Art’s” apparent past.
Blessings to you, from the beautiful now where I am at the harbour—sun declining, with a gentle breeze thrown in for good measure.
Your now sounds fabulous, although, by now, you’re enjoying a different now. So appreciate you, my friend.
I’d only be upset if they absconded with my cat. Yeah, the rest is just “stuff” someone else will have to deal with once I’m gone.
It’s all “stuff” and doesn’t begin to compare to the palpable grace and freedom in life its own self.
Love it!
All is well.
Indeed. I loved the pictures you shared of Eden on FB.
What a beautiful reminder.
I had what was known to my family as my magic shawl. I had rocked and held every one of my babies in it. When my children had babies it was still in perfect condition and I lovingly wrapped them up and sang the songs I had sung to my children.
On a train trip to Oregon my shawl disappeared. I tried to find it for a month, contacting everyone I could at the train station. It simply was not there.
When I finally got quiet I heard this message. Bless the person and the shawl that it may keep them warm. I did so that very moment. I still send the magic shawl love and the person that is wrapped in it.
A sweet side note. Each of my children sent me shawls, many shawls for sometime. I found that very touching.
Love you Pam!
Kate in Carmel
That’s a beautiful story Kate. Thank you for sharing it with us. I’m sorry you lost your magic shawl, and I hope all your memories of the precious moments you enjoyed with your children and grandchildren wrapped in it bring you comfort and peace. And I’m sure the person who now has your shawl feels all the love you send them and the love that was woven into every thread as you rocked your beloved babies. Blessings and hugs to you. 🌷🤗💖
Thank you Jenny for those kind words. Yes my memories are alive and well, which I believe makes my moments with my babies and shawl also alive and well. I know that I can never be separated from those loving feelings.
Again, thank you for your wonderful thoughts.
Kate
Oh, Kate!! What a beautiful story. I feel the love and energy of that shawl even now. Thank you!!
Wow! That’s an amazing level of detachment. I can’t quite get my head around it. I would be sad to lose some of my precious sentimental possessions, and I’m sure I’d feel furious and violated. So Katie’s ability to let it all go without being troubled by the loss is quite remarkable, and worth contemplating why I would react very differently. I guess I’m still quite attached to my past!
Thank you for sharing this amazing story Pam, and for the quotes you’ve included in this post too – they’re both excellent messages to ponder and take on board.
Hugs and blessings! 🤗🙏🏼🌺
I suppose the reason I’ve been thinking about this story for several days is not just the letting go of stuff, but because it so undeniably illustrates the aliveness of each “now” and how I only hurt myself when I pretend to be in an old “now” moment.
Love this, as I do all of your posts. But I must know more – how money fell from the sky and what key you found in the ocean? These are amazing!
Yes, Claudia. I’m pretty sure I’ve written about all of those stories in one form or another, as well as a gazillion other stories that seem unreal when you believe so firmly in the current paradigm. Once you realize every story is but one superposition in the field, it makes it easier to allow what I’ve been known to call “well, duh” stories. This is what’s real without the layer of illusions we cover it with.
Love this. EnJoy Mexico!
You know I will!
Funny you mention the beautiful Byron Katie. I knew she offered ‘Byron Katie At Home’ online on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday each week. I often thought, “I should participate. The Work is so special.” For some reason, I felt compelled to register to join her Monday session this week. It was magic. I recommended to my sister today that she join a session. Katie is life-altering!
Yes! Every time I listen in, I feel completely altered–more loving, more open, more who I really am.
I lost one of a pair of earrings my Momma gave me years before she left this earth. Oh how I loved them and oh how I felt it was like losing her all over again. Only it wasn’t that way at all. I simply no longer owned that earring and I came to accept that in the midst of many signs and winks from her. I have not lost her. Just her here. Detach, detach, detach.
Amen!
Perfect timing to hear this Pam
Enjoy Mexico!!
Thank you! I’ve heard from several friends who also said the timing couldn’t have been better. I guess that’s why I decided to write it yesterday. We draw from the universe, from each other exactly what we need. So happy to be a conduit from time to time.
Thanks for sharing that wonderful story. Katie was so right to be here now as without all the accoutrements we have put together to hold us into this existence. Me mine ours theirs, it’s all baloney. we are just passing through in a rented body making what we can out of this now. Enjoy Mexico. It’s a wonderful place
Thanks, Tocaya! That’s the Spanish word you use to greet someone with your same name.
Pam, I love you!
Sheila, I love you!
Wow! Yes, the Universe, God, Holy Spirit who/whatever sends me what I need daily. Byron Katie sure put it in perspective. We recently moved after 30 years in the same house. I am a sentimental hoarder and moved totes of stuff I’m gonna do something with. I’ve decided “Gonna” may be the dirtiest word in my vocabulary. Why oh why is that so hard for me?
I’m even going to counseling for why I cant get rid of STUFF. I have at least put dates out there. 1 & 2 years. If I haven’t done something with items I’m putting them all in a pile & having a big bonfire!
Yes, I too experienced a burglary and the house was nearly emptied of our belongings, especially the jewellery which was inherited. That hurt because it couldn’t be replaced. Fortunately, our daughters checked the house while we were abroad as the thieves were coming back for more, with things lined up ready to take! I loved the attitude that it doesn’t belong to us anymore and we must let go, even though it is painful. The lovely memories cannot be erased and things are better not clung to!
New quote for you…?!
“Laughter is carbonated holiness, and when we’re laughing together, we’re on sacred ground.” -Anne Lamott