LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT Tomorrow marks the first anniversary of my friend Roger’s passing. It was as shocking as it was sudden. No illness or warning. No chance to prepare or say goodbye. His massive heart gave way to immortality and instantly he was gone. I have long been fascinated by such transitions. I have known several people that have exited embodiment in a similar way. My fascination is in my own inquiry as to whether there is any indication for them that death was imminent. Was there any notion, any awareness that the end of this lifetime was about to come to a close? Did the last goodbye with loved ones somehow feel unique, more precious, more vital? Was there an extended embrace, a lasting gaze,

TRUTH TELLING FREEDOM It took me decades to finally be able to tell myself the truth about myself. Ouch. When I finally dared to tell myself the truth about myself the truth did indeed, as sacred writings promise, set me free. It was an incredibly painful experience. It was equally liberating. Though I use the word “was” it is a process that is still occurring, and likely will until I finally lay these sometimes-weary bones down. Every day there is another humiliation. The more I seek to embody the Light the more it shines into my unresolved darkness. Though it is far more comfortable to blame you for my woes, it is always my ability to respond that is at stake. Projections show me what I have

THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS Thoughts of prayer is not enough. Read that again. Thoughts OF prayer is most certainly not enough. From so many directions these days we hear the anger-laced cry that thoughts and prayers are not enough. This is coming from politicians, celebrities, social media, and even clergy. The implication is that rather than think and pray, we must do something. Do something, anything. In an over-masculinized society, the emphasis is always on doing. And perhaps the only thing more impotent in our culture than thought is prayer. I have yet to hear this cry from someone who I felt had really spent any deep and qualitative time in prayer. I would be the first to agree that indeed thought is not enough. The constant mind-spin