“Be Nothing” is the title of a book I discovered many years ago, written by a man who dedicated decades of his life to exploring a great many religions, and spiritual teachings. His conclusion: when we truly drop all attachments and identities we have adopted, the “nothing” we are left with is the source of everything, and all connection in the universe. How small and misguided we are, and yet how simultaneously expansive and wise we can be. There is nothing like a ferocious hurricane and its long aftermath to remind me of this relationship.

For comfort and wisdom in this time of such great disruption, I have turned as I so often have to the words of Peace Pilgrim. I find that her journey, and her conscious pilgrimage, endlessly offers me great encouragement and inspiration. For any of my readers who do not know of her, you can receive a free copy of the book written about her life and work in her own words:
https://www.peacepilgrim.org/to-receive-free-peace-pilgrim-book

Here is a small sample of some of her words:
”You have free will as to whether you will finish the mental and emotional growing up. Many choose not to. You have free will as to whether you will begin the spiritual growing up. The beginning of it is the time when you feel completely willing, without any reservations, to leave the self-centered life. And most choose not to. But it was doing that growth and finding inner peace that prepared me for the pilgrimage that I walk today.”

She very specifically describes the 4 Preparations, 4 Purifications, and 4 Relinquishments which readied her for the pilgrimage she chose - her pilgrimage was a gentle journey of prayer and example. Her selfless mission was to help promote peace by helping others to find inner peace. A wonderful side benefit of her pilgrimage was wonderful personal health.

I think Peace Pilgrim’s messaging is in a simple way so aligned with the message of Natural Hygiene, which advises us to remove the causes of harm, provide the conditions of health, and watch our health, energy, and well-being return naturally and organically. It’s about understanding and obeying natural laws of the Universe. Learning of these laws is simply a matter of study, yet applying them and living them is the journey of growing up that Peace so eloquently spoke about.

Just as Natural Hygiene is more about simply living these natural principles well, than about applying any specially contrived remedies or therapies, Peace focused on making her life a living example of universal spiritual truths. She was not interested in special meditation practices, since her whole life was daily a living prayer and meditation. She was not interested in special breathing practices either, because her breathing was naturally healthy and settled when she embodied the spiritual laws and came organically to a state of inner peace and radiant health.

Perhaps specially designed techniques can help us begin to shift when we are out of balance, yet a more effective approach may be to focus wholeheartedly on dedicating our daily lives to a larger practice of mindful right living, moment by moment. Similarly, the many therapeutics developed and marketed in the alternative ‘natural’ health field may offer temporary help when we are out of harmony, yet dedicating ourselves to bringing our daily lives into better natural harmony and coherence is the more permanent solution to all of our ailments.

Hurricanes, floods, fires, health crises, divorces, deaths, and other huge traumas and losses can show us where we are on our spiritual journey. If we can exchange self-judgment and comparison for self-compassion and curiosity, we can more readily feel the space to open up to wonder, awe, and our natural thirst for growth and healing. It may be that it is time to let go of some attachments, to surrender our desire to control the outer world, or simply to be still and listen for clues about what is being asked of us in this moment, in this situation.

Living Heart with Ellen Livingston

Be Nothing