Although the glow from a streetlight shone through Douglas Hepburn’s bedroom window, his inner night felt very dark, indeed. Within minutes of retiring to bed, he realized that sleep would not be forthcoming anytime soon. Despite his deep yearning for the balm of forgetfulness, his mind had decreed that he had tasks to which he must attend: He must focus on his ex wife, and the life they had once enjoyed together; he must concentrate on the pain of estrangement from his children; he must lie upon the torture rack and be stretched by the “why” yet another relationship had fallen by the wayside. And last, but not least, he must wonder why “he” had been fated a failure.

After arising several times to pace aimlessly through vacant rooms of his small house, Douglas found himself–as he had been taught to do as a child–kneeling at the foot of his bed and clasping his hands together. “Dear God,” he prayed, “please…please help me. I’m so lost, and I don’t know what to do.” Tears flowed down his cheeks as he continued: “I’ve tried so hard, I really have. Why…why must my life be so challenging?” A few minutes later, he rose upon shaky knees and, exhausted, crawled beneath the bed covers and fell into a fitful sleep.

***

Dear FamilyOfOne: If Douglas’s life situation feels even remotely familiar, please know that help is available. The help to which I refer is not to be found in any specific counsellor, religion, addiction center, or rehabilitation program–although all or some of those avenues may be deserving of attention. The help that I’m referring to is actually a solution that is found within yourself; in that placeless place where we recognize our essential nature. We are not now, nor have we ever been, the person. The Truth of this may be recognized directly. Suffering arises due to erroneous identifcation with the body-mind. We are so much more than name and form. The key to liberation from suffering is to investigate the nature of the “person” that is apparently suffering.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Copyright © – 2022 – R. Arthur Russell

P.S. Please share this article if you enjoyed it. If you’d like to view my latest book (This Taste of Flesh and Bones–released September 8, 2020), press here. My YouTube videos may be found via this link; and my Linkedin profile via this link. May the content help you along your spiritual journey. 🙏🧡

“Thank You” & “Note to Publishers”