Thank you so much, David, for giving a name to what I seem to be deeply learning in this past year. It has brought not one but two cancer diagnoses (I am a slow learner) but both were caught early and are curable. My body's wisdom raised strange signals long before I or my doctors would have gone looking. I anticipated that this clearing of my karma would have been dreary payback for years of abundance in my life, but instead it has been--even amidst the pain of radiation and chemo--very often a time of joy and happiness and an ongoing shower of blessings. I am learning so very much about myself, my body, friendship, love, and the Divine Mystery. As I face my final surgery this week I look forward to having all this "done and dusted" and eager for the new and unknown life for which it has been preparing me--which will include a Mindful Safari!
Obstacle Blessings come in so many shapes and sizes and ways... It is also important to understand in situations where catastrophe has struck and you were not involved because you encountered an "obstacle blessing" you should Not Feel Guilty. I have a friend who was running late for work because of a sick child who she had been up with all night. She missed the train she normally caught into the City, and then a flat tire on her car in the garage made it impossible for her to drive. She tried calling her boss but something was wrong with the phones. The Morning was 9/11/2001. She worked in the World Trade Center. She lost almost everyone she worked with. Had she been on time she would have been there. For years she suffered from Survivor's Guilt. It's real. She had a very hard time for many years. She now understands and accepts that the obstacle blessing she experienced with her sick daughter made it possible for her and others to go on and do some great things to help others affected by the tragedy, and personally, to be available for her aging parents, their transition, the marriage of her daughter and the birth of her grandchildren. Life goes on and we must chose the story line we wish to follow. She chose peace and happiness despite her losses 🙏🏽💜 xoxo
Wow! What a story of an Obtacle Blessing, Lynn! Thank you so much for sharing. Survivor's Guilt is a very real thing and I am so glad for your friend that she has been able to move on. By weird coincidence I was also in NYC on 9/11, but much further North than the twin towers. Still, it felt like an apocalyptic time.
This deeply touched my heart. I can only imagine how hard this experience was. It is an incredible inspiration to me when I hear of or see people who have experienced horrific trauma find a way to look at it and find a place of healing and to give their support to others. Thank you for sharing this. 💖
Cancer was an obstacle blessing for me as well. I like your 'dusted and done' explanation. I literally came out of the anesthetic thinking Today is the First Day of the Rest of My Life, and knowing that there would be major changes coming. I appreciate the ways you are able to share these thoughts and ideas. Duchess Fluffybutt, a Turkish Angora who showed up at my door one day, enjoys laptme while I read. I had said that my next cat would choose me.....and she did!
This was a lovely read and a great reminder, thanks David. This is one of the many things I feel like I "know", yet seem to forget on a regular basis. I have observed time and again that the things in my life that seems to be disasterous, had almost always turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I hadn't thought so much about the smaller scale, daily obstacles though.
I'm having a giggle remembering the 16 year old me who decided on a whim (on the morning we had to submit our university preferences) to become a psychologist because I liked telling people what to do and I figured I could buy a red MGB :) So grateful for my debilitating injury that took me on a different path.
Gosh, Gemma, I've never heard that reason for aspiring to be a psych - made me chuckle! Debilitating injuries can be obstacle blessings too, considering all you have done so many of us who have benefited from all those Pilates classes.
I love the term "obstacle blessing" but as in so many Buddhist beliefs, they mirror those in Christianity. As Christians, we are exhorted to give thanks in all things and trust in our God (paraphrasing from 1 Thessalonians) and in doing so, we can follow similar trains of thought as you and your wife did with your water line mishap. Corrie ten Boom, who was a Dutch woman who, along with her family, hid Jews from the Nazis, and saved many lives only to be imprisoned in a concentration camp for their bravery. She later wrote that while in the camp, she was thankful for the awful fleas that plagued all the women in her barracks. Why? Because the fleas were so bad, the Nazi guards wouldn't search their quarters which allowed their clandestine Bibles to remain hidden. If the Bibles had been found, the women would have paid terrible prices. Who would ever think that fleas would be such an "obstacle blessing?" I do love all your books about HHC and learning so much about Buddhism. What a charming way to teach it.
It really touches my heart that you are so open to these teachings and practices, Katherine! I feel all the great spiritual traditions can learn from each other.
Well I don’t know how and why but I seem to have missed this lesson. I just found it. Thank you David. A great reminder of the Samsara that we live in, with all our worldly goods.
The truth that the lady found after finding out she had cancer and was not going to survive and found it a blessing as she had time to get her affairs in order and let everyone know she loves them, reminds me of my teacher Rob, who on being told by one of the people in the group that she had been diagnosed with terminal cancer, said what “fantastic luck”. We all looked at him aghast and then he said. Now you have the time to put your life in order and make peace with the people you love by telling them how you feel about them. He said a lot of people don’t get that chance. It really makes sense. Thank you
We are very lucky to clean water even if it does go wrong from time to time. Let’s remember the billions who don’t have this privilege. Water is the stuff of life.
So true, Tom. The absence of running water, for less than a day, made me realise my immense good fortune just turning on the tap whenever I feel like it.
David, thank you for telling all of us about BEYOND, and then sharing with us the article you wrote for that substack. I too, can recall events in my Life that could aptly be called “obstacle blessings”. I think probably we all can. Your article provided the invitation to re-visit some of them , and this time , from a much wider and deeper perspective what with the passage of time between the original event and the present moment. . . . . .Another comment I wish to share is that your last installment of the story of Rob and that precious little (figuratively speaking!) Kidiki, almost brought tears to my eyes. The way you described her holding on to Rob’s leg as they walked to the garden - I could just SEE it! That little elephant baby was thinking, “By golly, he’s not going to get away from ME again!” Oh dear! Please get busy and send us more….🙏
Dearest David, thanks for sharing your knowledge, experience and wisdom! I think this email arrived to me as much needed, because I am facing hard times and to get the chance to see them from other point of view is helping me to go through.
Wow! This is a place where I have been going to, and it has helped me to let go and experience the silver lining. Sometimes it happens quickly, sometimes it takes longer, years. It’s wonderful to have it explained in a way which somehow makes it easier to understand. It had me pause, look back over my life and realize with great wonder and gratitude, that most of the things I saw as obstacles, always lead me to a place of growth inner strength, and inspiration. I continue with more conscious clarity look at obstacles as opportunities for growth. I have a few rare genetic illnesses, which are difficult to treat and painful. I am grateful to you, David for your wisdom, which I have found so supportive and helpful. Through your books, and here in this platform, I find refuge and guidance. It also opened me to explore and experience other teachings, to study and open my heart to other cultures. The article about you was inspiring.
Everything has a cause and effect, coincidences in existence is just a way of denoting the laws of cause and effect we don't understand. Nothing happens without reason, good and bad is to embraced.
Thank you so much, David, for giving a name to what I seem to be deeply learning in this past year. It has brought not one but two cancer diagnoses (I am a slow learner) but both were caught early and are curable. My body's wisdom raised strange signals long before I or my doctors would have gone looking. I anticipated that this clearing of my karma would have been dreary payback for years of abundance in my life, but instead it has been--even amidst the pain of radiation and chemo--very often a time of joy and happiness and an ongoing shower of blessings. I am learning so very much about myself, my body, friendship, love, and the Divine Mystery. As I face my final surgery this week I look forward to having all this "done and dusted" and eager for the new and unknown life for which it has been preparing me--which will include a Mindful Safari!
So wonderful that you are able to reframe these experiences, Diana! It will be wonderful to share our special part of Africa with you.
I truly hope and pray that the surgery was successful. Believe and it shall be.
Obstacle Blessings come in so many shapes and sizes and ways... It is also important to understand in situations where catastrophe has struck and you were not involved because you encountered an "obstacle blessing" you should Not Feel Guilty. I have a friend who was running late for work because of a sick child who she had been up with all night. She missed the train she normally caught into the City, and then a flat tire on her car in the garage made it impossible for her to drive. She tried calling her boss but something was wrong with the phones. The Morning was 9/11/2001. She worked in the World Trade Center. She lost almost everyone she worked with. Had she been on time she would have been there. For years she suffered from Survivor's Guilt. It's real. She had a very hard time for many years. She now understands and accepts that the obstacle blessing she experienced with her sick daughter made it possible for her and others to go on and do some great things to help others affected by the tragedy, and personally, to be available for her aging parents, their transition, the marriage of her daughter and the birth of her grandchildren. Life goes on and we must chose the story line we wish to follow. She chose peace and happiness despite her losses 🙏🏽💜 xoxo
Wow! What a story of an Obtacle Blessing, Lynn! Thank you so much for sharing. Survivor's Guilt is a very real thing and I am so glad for your friend that she has been able to move on. By weird coincidence I was also in NYC on 9/11, but much further North than the twin towers. Still, it felt like an apocalyptic time.
That it was. Those of us who experienced that day either directly or indirectly will never forget it. 🙏🏽 💔
This deeply touched my heart. I can only imagine how hard this experience was. It is an incredible inspiration to me when I hear of or see people who have experienced horrific trauma find a way to look at it and find a place of healing and to give their support to others. Thank you for sharing this. 💖
Cancer was an obstacle blessing for me as well. I like your 'dusted and done' explanation. I literally came out of the anesthetic thinking Today is the First Day of the Rest of My Life, and knowing that there would be major changes coming. I appreciate the ways you are able to share these thoughts and ideas. Duchess Fluffybutt, a Turkish Angora who showed up at my door one day, enjoys laptme while I read. I had said that my next cat would choose me.....and she did!
... and what a privilege to be so chosen, Peggi! It is transformative to be able to make the reframe that you did!
Beautiful. I like having a term for that silver lining, "obstacle blessing." ❣️
Thanks, Sheri - not my term, but happy to share it!
This was a lovely read and a great reminder, thanks David. This is one of the many things I feel like I "know", yet seem to forget on a regular basis. I have observed time and again that the things in my life that seems to be disasterous, had almost always turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I hadn't thought so much about the smaller scale, daily obstacles though.
I'm having a giggle remembering the 16 year old me who decided on a whim (on the morning we had to submit our university preferences) to become a psychologist because I liked telling people what to do and I figured I could buy a red MGB :) So grateful for my debilitating injury that took me on a different path.
Gosh, Gemma, I've never heard that reason for aspiring to be a psych - made me chuckle! Debilitating injuries can be obstacle blessings too, considering all you have done so many of us who have benefited from all those Pilates classes.
I love the term "obstacle blessing" but as in so many Buddhist beliefs, they mirror those in Christianity. As Christians, we are exhorted to give thanks in all things and trust in our God (paraphrasing from 1 Thessalonians) and in doing so, we can follow similar trains of thought as you and your wife did with your water line mishap. Corrie ten Boom, who was a Dutch woman who, along with her family, hid Jews from the Nazis, and saved many lives only to be imprisoned in a concentration camp for their bravery. She later wrote that while in the camp, she was thankful for the awful fleas that plagued all the women in her barracks. Why? Because the fleas were so bad, the Nazi guards wouldn't search their quarters which allowed their clandestine Bibles to remain hidden. If the Bibles had been found, the women would have paid terrible prices. Who would ever think that fleas would be such an "obstacle blessing?" I do love all your books about HHC and learning so much about Buddhism. What a charming way to teach it.
It really touches my heart that you are so open to these teachings and practices, Katherine! I feel all the great spiritual traditions can learn from each other.
Well I don’t know how and why but I seem to have missed this lesson. I just found it. Thank you David. A great reminder of the Samsara that we live in, with all our worldly goods.
The truth that the lady found after finding out she had cancer and was not going to survive and found it a blessing as she had time to get her affairs in order and let everyone know she loves them, reminds me of my teacher Rob, who on being told by one of the people in the group that she had been diagnosed with terminal cancer, said what “fantastic luck”. We all looked at him aghast and then he said. Now you have the time to put your life in order and make peace with the people you love by telling them how you feel about them. He said a lot of people don’t get that chance. It really makes sense. Thank you
We are very lucky to clean water even if it does go wrong from time to time. Let’s remember the billions who don’t have this privilege. Water is the stuff of life.
So true, Tom. The absence of running water, for less than a day, made me realise my immense good fortune just turning on the tap whenever I feel like it.
David, thank you for telling all of us about BEYOND, and then sharing with us the article you wrote for that substack. I too, can recall events in my Life that could aptly be called “obstacle blessings”. I think probably we all can. Your article provided the invitation to re-visit some of them , and this time , from a much wider and deeper perspective what with the passage of time between the original event and the present moment. . . . . .Another comment I wish to share is that your last installment of the story of Rob and that precious little (figuratively speaking!) Kidiki, almost brought tears to my eyes. The way you described her holding on to Rob’s leg as they walked to the garden - I could just SEE it! That little elephant baby was thinking, “By golly, he’s not going to get away from ME again!” Oh dear! Please get busy and send us more….🙏
More Africa work in the pipeline, thank you Susan. I am so glad that the story is resonating with you!
Dearest David, thanks for sharing your knowledge, experience and wisdom! I think this email arrived to me as much needed, because I am facing hard times and to get the chance to see them from other point of view is helping me to go through.
Rossy Cortes
Mexico
I am so sorry to hear this, Rossy. Warmest wishes.
Wow! This is a place where I have been going to, and it has helped me to let go and experience the silver lining. Sometimes it happens quickly, sometimes it takes longer, years. It’s wonderful to have it explained in a way which somehow makes it easier to understand. It had me pause, look back over my life and realize with great wonder and gratitude, that most of the things I saw as obstacles, always lead me to a place of growth inner strength, and inspiration. I continue with more conscious clarity look at obstacles as opportunities for growth. I have a few rare genetic illnesses, which are difficult to treat and painful. I am grateful to you, David for your wisdom, which I have found so supportive and helpful. Through your books, and here in this platform, I find refuge and guidance. It also opened me to explore and experience other teachings, to study and open my heart to other cultures. The article about you was inspiring.
With loving awareness for all beings. 💕
I am really moved by your exquisite message, Laura. My heartfelt thanks!
I love the term “obstacle blessing”! 🙏
Thank you so much Kensho studio!
Such a helpful and uplifting teaching. Thank you very much, David. 💖🙏🏼
I am glad that you find it so, thank you Sharadha!
Thank you, David. What a beautiful message to read this morning. I’m visiting family for a funeral and well… this message is clear as day. 🩷
I am pleased it came at a timely moment, Richelle. Thank you so much for your kind message at this difficult time.
Thank you for your story. Our things break, too. Isn't it grand?
Well, Christopher, it certainly makes one pause to consider how fortunate we are most of the time!!
Everything has a cause and effect, coincidences in existence is just a way of denoting the laws of cause and effect we don't understand. Nothing happens without reason, good and bad is to embraced.