One Person Listened. One Life was Saved.

Meaningful spiritual practice is embodied. A Zen teacher told me that the biggest obstacle to Zen practice is “time travel.” So, are we here now, or are we distracted by past regrets or future fears? Recently, I wrote about attention here. And are we paying attention to the people around us, or are we distracted by self-centered navel-gazing or baseless, theoretical speculation?

I realize that everyone is related, and everything is connected. Eastern philosophy advances this. The mystics of all traditions confirm this through subjective experience. The quantum physicists confirm this through objective observation. Are we paying attention to our interconnectedness? And are we experiencing it? Are we observing it? And are we embodying it?

Our Universe is awe-inspiring, mysterious, and paradoxical, in and of itself. Intentionally or (more likely) naturally, it is evolving towards greater complexity, diversity, and interconnectedness. There is no need to embellish this profound, yet simple, story.  Intentionally or (more likely) naturally, we influence each other because we are living the same story, woven into the same fabric.

One Person Listened. One Life was Saved.

Last week, I was on a Zoom call with a friend who recalled an existential crisis in his past. At his breaking point, filled with anxiety and hopelessness, he called a crisis hotline. A woman answered, “This is Susan. What is going on in your life now?” The man talked, and Susan listened. He realized that the story he had always told himself (and now told Susan) was worse than the actual story. Then, he saw that he had options. And he took responsibility. He understood that the drastic response that he thought would make him happy and solve his problems would, in fact, do neither.

One person listened. One life was saved.

Another friend needed a 90 in one of two college courses, so that the business school could admit him. He received an 89 in both courses. When he talked to the first professor, the man said, “Sorry, if you had earned a 90, you would have received a 90.” When he talked to the second professor, the woman said, “Congratulations, you received a 90.”  He went on to business school,  graduating with a double major in accounting and finance. Which professor saw the big picture? Which professor changed a life?

One person saw the big picture. One life was changed.

One Person Steered Me in the Right Direction. My Life was Changed.

Chad Maples was a good friend who greatly impacted the lives of those around him. When my daughter was still in high school, Chad was learning about psychology. He said to my daughter, “Psychology is really interesting. You might like it.” Eventually, she earned three degrees in psychology, and she spent the last twelve years working as a psychologist.

Years ago, Chad said to me, “Eastern philosophy is really interesting. You might like it.” So, I studied Eastern philosophy for many years. Eventually, I wrote a book about it, called The Way. Today, I have a Zen practice that focuses my life and informs my worldview.  Who has changed the course of your life with a meaningful intervention at a critical time?

One person steered me in the right direction. My life was changed.

Meaningful Spiritual Practice is Embodied

Years ago, I did a “gratitude tour” to thank the people who helped me when I needed it. I recommend this. Just say, “You helped me when I needed it. And you changed my life. I appreciate it.” Hopefully, when we thank someone for helping us, they will say, “You helped me, too.” If you ever do a gratitude tour, bring Kleenex.

Meaningful spiritual practice is embodied, incarnate. Are we paying attention to our interconnectedness? And are we experiencing it? Are we observing it? And are we embodying it?