Once exposed to the spiritual principles of Mind, Consciousness and Thought, we can sometimes fall into the trap of thinking that because we understand how our psychological functioning manifests, we should be able to live with clarity and equilibrium all the time. This hasn’t happened for me and I also suspect it is not a reflection of normal, healthy functioning. But seeing the action of the principles in my life has made a big difference, even during disequilibrium.

Spiritual intelligence … information, guidance, wisdom … is always active. It is part of our operating system. It is not meant to numb out life experience, to render all experience neutral, rather, in my experience its purpose is to inform it. As a working, solo, mother I invariably have times in which there is a lot on my plate and my mind is anything but calm. But the difference for me now that I am conscious of the principles and their manifestation, is that I can recognise when my mind is busy, sometimes very busy, AND I have the presence of mind not to speak or act from that mindset and instead to look after myself as best I can.

Sometimes, looking after myself impels me to withdraw from the busy-ness of my life and to write, or read, play Uno, lie down, or any other activity wisdom offers. There are also times when I can’t withdraw and I simply have to proceed with my schedule as best I can. But even then I know it is my thinking that I am experiencing and I trust that I don’t have to keep my thinking alive, that life will continue to unfold and that everything I am juggling in my head is probably not that important. So I continue with my life, withdrawing my attention to my busy mind and being present as much as I can to who or what is before me. And then there are other times when even that seems beyond me.

Over the Christmas break I took several members of my family and my dogs away for a week. Our very rustic self catered accommodation was nestled in the quiet serenity of the southern forests and away from more popular tourist destinations. Kangaroos abounded and the nearest town was half an hour away. In my mind it was perfect for time to read, write and reflect. Not so. All decision making and physical work rested with me. My dogs had to accompany us everywhere, a troublesome knee flared and I spent much of the time in pain. But whilst I was overloaded with responsibility, I also knew that the overwhelm I was experiencing was all my own creation.  Thought and consciousness come together to create experience, for everyone, and I was no exception.

Knowing this made things easier. I couldn’t change the demands upon me but I could do what I could to calm my thinking. I turned my attention and thinking about external events to looking after myself. The shift of attention to my internal source of wisdom for guidance on caring for myself brought immediate relief. I managed to take some time out to rest and read. And I called on others to help when this was possible. I reigned my thinking in to what I could do and let go of everything else. There were still times when it was clear I was stressed, and wisdom supported me to have the presence of mind to not act from my agitated state.  I didn’t voice some of the thoughts sailing through. I was mindful of my tone of voice. And I consciously opened up gentler topics of conversation. At times, I acted rather than react.

I did the best I could with the wisdom that came to me in the circumstances in which I found myself. Wisdom is wonderfully responsive to the unique nuances of our lives. Why would we go anywhere else for help? The physical and mental demands whilst I was away were too big but I had wisdom to call on and it offered the best that could be done. We spent time visiting places of interest, we ate well, we played games and my dogs survived a more restrained routine. And now I am much clearer on what I need to truly give myself the relaxation and rest I need, and I am more committed to time with my family whilst they are around me. Thankfully wisdom is with me, always.