MONDAY, 28th. May, 2012.
If you are anything like me, you will probably be in need of your 'daily bread' on a Monday morning! Today being monday, (at least where I am on the planet); and NOT feeling particularly inspired, I asked myself "where should I go to for my "daily bread?"
Where is the 'boulonger', the purveyor of the quality, and type of 'bread' that I am in need of RIGHT NOW? - Today, THIS morning?
After 'casting around' in my own mind for possible clues, it occured to me, all of a sudden - as though waking up to a 'perennial revelation' - Of course!
The Discourses of Avatar Meher Baba! Where else? Yes, I thought, it's obvious, why did I have to remember that simple truth all over again. It seems we do indeed have to 'remember all over again' each morning, when we wake up. At least 'most of the time.'
O.K. Which particular Discourse? It then occured to me that perhaps the best option would be to go straight to the sequence of chapters, which, to my mind most directly present a ready offering of "Daily Bread."
Not feeling particularly inspired on this Monday morning, the 28th. day of May, 2012, I decided to first review the "menu" of possible selections, in terms of which particular 'loaf' might satisfy my need for - 'something', not only suitably 'nutritious' but also, hopefully INSPIRING!
It now becomes apparent to me that I am really focusing here on the "nutritional" metaphor, and my very real need for 'quality bread' - in terms of specific 'nutritional requirements' (incidentally, in 'purely' physical terms, I have a very delicate 'digestive profile') ; meaning that I always have to be very discriminating when it comes to eating anything at all! So, QUALITY is a major consideration.
I would say that this particular sensitivity also applies to what 'I take in' in the way of 'mental content.'
So, what precisely do I NEED, in terms of 'mental-emotional-spiritual' nutrition?
Firstly, I need to distinguish between what I THINK I might need, and what I ACTUALLY NEED.
O.K., I shall now consult the MENU! This (speciality) 'menu' can be found on page 229, of the 7th. edition of the Discourses of Avatar Maher Baba. It is aptly named the "Table of Enumerative Classification of the Forms of(specialised) Meditation" - and is the most succinct 'entry point' (especially re. Practice), an index to all types of meditation covered in the "8 Parts" or 'chapters' comprising the set of Discourses relating specifically to the subject of 'meditation.'
To return again to our 'nutritional' metaphor. By the way, anyone getting 'peckish?' I am. I shall include here a brief excerpt from the 7th., edition of the Discourses of Meher Baba (1987, p.209) entitled The Chief Types of Meditation and Their Relative Value (Part II, of The Types of Meditation).
Analogy of Food: "Associative meditation is to the spirit (consciousness) what the assimilation of food is to the (physical) body. The body can make up for it's deficiencies by assimilating the right sort of food. Similarly, the mind can secure its health (wholeness/integrity) by the assimilation of Spiritual Truths through meditation."
"It is necessary to strike a balance between the different forms of associative meditation, even though in their own way they are all good, just as it is necessary to balance one's diet, even when one is satisfied as to the nutritive value of the different components of the diet." "....The right combinations are those that promote an advancing equilibrium by emphasising just those aspects of the Truth that are relevant to removing the special obstacles the (spiritual) aspirant is faced with at the moment."
It seems to me that I will be going for a 'combo' 'loaf' today!
If you, my dear readers are wondering why it has taken me 3 separate 'postings' to today's 'Daily Bread' it is because as often happens when I take my lunch, I end up having it 'on the go' (of necessity) - so it is with the taking of my own 'Daily Bread.'
I believe this is a good thing, particularly with a Blog such as this, that it should happen 'in real time' and reflect the reality of 'daily life.' I will be very glad if you too are able to 'take in' and hopefully assimilate even just a little of this 'Daily Bread' even and especially if it has to be 'on the go!'
In God's Pure Love, and Infinite Mercy;
MeherStar
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