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November/December 2007 Spirituality
Wisdom Walk: Nine Practices for Creating Peace and Balance

by Sage Bennet, Ph.D.

Ancient wisdom says Wisdom is better than rubies

The prevailing message of our times is different and encourages us to seek external riches instead. We may do this by acquiring products, climbing the corporate ladder, attaining degrees and other pursuits. Oftentimes we get lost along the way. We lose touch with ourselves, find ourselves overworking, over spending, feeling stressed, depleted, even depressed, wondering how we lost our balance. We think "If I just reach my goals, I'll get back in balance. I'll work harder, get a better job, buy a house, get out of debt."

Sage Bennet

It is hard to say whether it is the seeking of external riches that causes us to lose our equilibrium or whether being out of balance provokes us to seek external solutions. Either way we find ourselves on a perpetual treadmill, endlessly running and achieving yet not knowing exactly how to find our way home to a place of rest inside where we can be quiet, satisfied, and serene. The rubies of inner peace and the diamonds of a loving heart can be ours.

One Friday night I found myself "crispy" around the edges - not totally burned out, but sufficiently seared to have a mini-meltdown. I felt tired, edgy and off center. I can always tell when my wisdom walk is slipping. The grounded serenity I feel when I engage in the wisdom practices of the world's spiritual traditions dissipates.

I'd received word from my assistant that my computer system had crashed before every file had been backed up. Reacting from depleted reserves, I felt as if I were taking a fall myself. In a flash, an old part took the driver's seat and, as if it were a sane choice, I dialed the phone to order a pizza.

I have not had pizza in a year since I'd lost 80 pounds. Yet I stood there, one finger in the yellow pages, the other dialing the number. I called two restaurants. One pizza place wouldn't deliver. The other had a phone problem and I couldn't get through even though I dialed the phone several times. It was enough of a time delay to return to another part of myself.

With good inner counsel I took myself to a small gym that is often empty. I pounded out a few rounds on the stationery bike, skipped the treadmill and, after a long, hot shower, went straight to the sauna.

In the dry heat I felt my shoulders drop, my breath slow down and my racing mind switch from work matters to soul nourishment. I began to review the wisdom practices from the world's great spiritual traditions that always bring me sanely back to myself.

1. Hinduism: Create a home altar. I took off my red stone bracelet and shaped it in a circle to remind myself of the unity of life. I placed my wedding band in the center of the red beads and claimed that at my center I was connected to the infinite. I laughed to myself: If I can create an altar, wearing only a towel in a sauna, anyone can create an altar anywhere.
2. Buddhism: Meditate and find peace. I closed my eyes and began to watch my breath, focusing only on breathing in and breathing out. I felt my mind begin to quiet like a clock winding down.
3. Islam: Surrender to prayer. I whispered out loud: Thank you for these moments of great peace as I pause in a busy week.
4. Christianity: Forgive yourself and others. Speaking out loud to myself: I forgive you for overworking this week and getting out of balance.
5. Judaism: Make time for the Sabbath. I commit to really take Sunday off including putting my pen down. I will suggest a family Sabbath walk and give myself extra sleep in the morning.
6. Native American spirituality: Let nature be your teacher. The heat of the saunawas conducive to inner work. I closed my eyes and saw a deer walk across my inner awareness. Walk gently, the deer counseled. I took this to be a reminder to slow down and be kind to myself.
7. Taoism: Go with the flow. I've been going too fast. Not resisting, I let myself pull back to get into balance. After a lot of yang, I need more yin activities. I'll give myself the weekend to rest as much as I can.
8. New Thought: Catch God's vision of your life.Closing my eyes again I saw myself at a book signing. Published author. Keep working on the book. You need to continue writing as a priority.
9. All traditions: Offer yourself in service to others. Call your brother. Lend an ear to his challenges with teenage sons. Keep in touch with family.

In less than an hour, I had reviewed some essentials from the wisdom practices of the world's spiritual traditions, and I felt much better. You can too.

Sage Bennet, Ph.D., an ordained minister who served at the Agape International Center of Truth for eight years, is the author of Wisdom Walk. She offers seminars, retreats, counseling and coaching to those exploring the deeper mysteries on their spiritual journeys. Visit www.sagebennet.com. Printed with permission of New World Library, www.newworldlibrary.com.