The Level of Our Practice

“We don't rise to the level of our expectations,
we fall to the level of our training.”

- Archilochus

I

Sometimes, when we feel our best, we are unexpectedly presented with a question: Who will you be?

We may be feeling healthier than ever, with a smile on our face, grateful for our abundant blessings, then receive draining news from our doctor.

We may be exalted by others, then something deeply triggers us.

II

Fearful of our future, our ego overwhelms.

Instincts scream.
Intuition feels silent.

We become narrow-minded, myopic.
Acutely present, highly sensitive.

III

Violently thrust from the peak, who will you be?

Will you experience angry denial, or faithful acceptance?

Will you recognize fear as an opportunity to manifest “the better angels of your nature”?

IV

Daily, we are invited to practice becoming whom we would admire.

That perhaps, with God’s mercy and grace, we may feel our feet gently sink, deep in the ground, amidst temptation.