A friend expressed interest in learning how to juggle. “No problem,” I confidently responded. After all, I had become a fairly proficient juggler shortly after purchasing the book “Juggling for the Complete Klutz.”
“I have that book!” my friend exclaimed.
“But you still can’t juggle?”
“Nope. And I’ve read the book over and over.”
“OK,” I continued. “And how often have you practiced?”
"Not much. Dropping the beanbags was too frustrating, so I quit."
Amusing story aside, this dialog points to a deep truth regarding the experience of peace. Not the fleetingly conditional satisfaction arising from short-lived needs fulfillment. Rather, a wonderfully serene sense of heavenly bliss.
Entering this sublime state is much like juggling.
And while there may not be an official “Contentment for the Complete Klutz” volume, I’d like to suggest that its promise is eminently within reach.
There’s just one catch. And that’s not to catch.
Dropping beanbags is not an unfortunate outcome of learning to juggle. It’s the measure of mastery. Each drop provides yet another opportunity, not for critical analysis, but gentle acceptance.
The same is true with all our grievances. Life’s “issues” don’t stand in the way of peace. They are the way to peace. Wishing them away is equivalent to reading the Klutz book and giving up after encountering drops.
Growth requires that we expand beyond what we’ve already learned. Anything that upsets us is a lesson yet to grasp. With each “beanbag drop” representing a successful catch - the compassionate comprehension of effortless grace.
As we read in A Course in Miracles:
There is no need to learn through pain. Gentle lessons are acquired joyously. (T-21.I.3)
This shift in perception not only rapidly accelerates our study but makes for a far more enjoyable curriculum. Instantly transforming klutz to competence.
Join me in Thursday’s class where we’ll learn about learning and the profound lessons that may be caught from juggling drops. I look forward to seeing you then.
Anthony, this article made me realize growth, expansion requires reaching forward to new areas but in doing so we necessarily and simultaneously have to let go of the old comfortable niches we find our comfort in. And the "annoyance" of ball dropping is just comprised of self judgement once again and thoughts of self ridicule. Whereas a gentler response of accepting the drops as part of the whole process would be more helpful.