10 Years and 10 Minutes

by Simon Goland, October 30, 2011

Today’s Reflection is about a new baby being born. Of sorts.

I think that, ultimately, we never really know when it is time for something to happen. Sure, we can make plans, prepare, get things done, and line up all our ducks in a row. There certainly is value in that. We can also trust, be open and present, and truly listen to what the Universe is whispering to us.

I wrote about the Right Livelihood Quest in the July Reflection (https://simongoland.com/on-a-right-livelihood-quest/), when preparing for the first two groups and their process. Well, somehow it is almost November by now, and a lot has happened between then and now. It often does. Summer came and left, Fall is making an appearance and slowly, yet persistently, is guiding everything towards the Winter. Throughout all this time, the Right Livelihood Quest emerged and materialized, taking a very concrete, tangible, and incredibly impactful form.

The exploration of this theme, whether you call it Right Livelihood, Life Purpose, vocation, or the Meaning of Life, has been with me for about 10 years. Both personally on my own journey, and also with many others I had the opportunity to work with. It was a source of reflections and contemplations, frustration and agony, passion and inspiration, and probably everything in between. Like on a true journey with no destination nor clear and conclusive answers, the road was winding, twisting and turning this way and that, taking me to places both inside and outside of myself that I had no idea even existed, keeping me engaged. As long as I kept walking, which I did. At least, for the most part.

There were times I innately knew hat a different form is wanting to emerge. However, forcing it did not work. Imagine that! Emergence cannot be forced. It can be invited, or perhaps seduced, yet, as with any invitation, one needs to be patient because, well, emergence operates on her own terms and timelines.

“Listening is hard work. The discipline of paying close attention to ourselves, to the vital signs that blip across the screen of our lives in forms such as dreams, intuitions, feedback, and longings, will help us know what our calls are. This practice of listening will tell us what’s true and what’s not, when to proceed and when to postpone, whom to trust and whom not, which direction to take at the crossroads, whose voices are brawling in our heads, what’s right for us and where we’re willing to be lead.” – Gregg Levoy

There is a story about Picasso and one of his exhibits. A woman is visiting, and is  standing in front of one of his paintings, with him standing beside her. “How long did it take you to paint it?” she asks. “About an hour,” he replies, “and all my life.”

It feels somehow similar, with this Right Livelihood Quest. After these 10 long years, the actual form, and the whole process really, emerged after a 10-minute conversation with one of my students, over a glass of wine. Perhaps it was that particular wine that helped the seduction. A seemingly casual conversation, about him wanting to keep exploring his right livelihood over the summer, and me offering to be of support and suggesting a couple of books to read, a few activities to do, and questions to contemplate. Then an idea of doing it with a group of people entered the conversation. He sent an email later than night, to some other students he thought would like it as well. Within about a week, we had 60 people who expressed interest, two separate locations were offered, and everything became clear. Emergence finally said yes.

“If you bring forth what is inside you, what you bring forth will save you. If you don’t bring forth what is inside you, what you don’t bring forth will destroy you.” – The Gospel of St. Thomas

Perhaps when the stars finally align for us, and decide that we are indeed ready for the next phase on our journey, everything does become easy.

The baby, Right Livelihood Quest, is finally born and is stepping into the light. The father is feeling excited and ready for what’s next, after a long labour of 10 years.

All the details are here: https://www.RightLivelihoodQuest.com . Drop by for a visit. Share with family and friends. No limit per customer. No MSG added. Has been tested on other humans, with incredible, inspiring, and humbling outcomes. Spread the word.

And, while on the topic of spreading the word, this coming Tuesday, November 1, at about 9:30 AM Vancouver time, I will be interviewed on a local radio station about this topic of right livelihood. The interview will be short, about 10 minutes. My first one ever on a radio. Tune in to https://radioshalomvancouver.weebly.com/ , using the “Listen Live” icon on the web page.

A sunny week to you all, inside and out.