“Men are not free when they are doing just what they like Men are only free when they are doing what the deepest self likes. And there is getting down to the deepest self! It takes some diving.”
~D.H. Lawrence
Can you imagine a life without devotion? No commitment, no follow-through, no grounding in what really matters.
Maybe that’s how you live – losing your center in the face of compelling people and situations, not taking the time to reflect on what is important to you. Blown about by the wind.
So my question for you today is: What are you devoted to?
Not for Sissies
I love devotion. When you are devoted to something, your life is transformed. You begin orienting your activities toward what you really want. Doubt and confusion diminish, as you always have a benchmark to refer to. People and circumstances that no longer fit fall away.
Devotion is not for sissies. It takes a surrender of your personal wants and desires into something that holds greater meaning for you. It oozes passion and longing. You might even say that you form a love affair with whatever you are devoted to.
You show commitment, dedication, loyalty, reverence, and sincerity.
An Example: Devotion to Truth
I know many people who are devoted to truth, myself included. What does this mean?
- Being committed to taking off all blinders and seeing everything clearly, as it is.
- No thoughts or beliefs are taken for granted or assumed to be true. Not a single one.
- The end of resisting and defending.
- Recognizing when habitual reactions appear and being open to understanding them completely.
- Abandoning the needs and troubles of the separate self.
- Living as the life force that you already are.
A devotion to truth is all-consuming, like a holy fire.
And there are other holy fires, such as peace or transparency, happiness or heart-expanding, love.
Your Life Speaks. It Sings.
But maybe you are devoted to something different – stress, hiding from what you know to be true, drama in relationships, drugs/alcohol/food, sleepwalking through life, self-flagellation, greed, the need to be on top. If you’re not sure, simply take a look at how you pass the moments of your life.
You will see where your devotion lies.
Conscious devotion comes from who-knows-where. It lands like a missile or creeps up like a slow-growing vine. At some point, we just know that the old way of unconsciousness is over. What replaces it is reorientation in all aspects of our lives. We contemplate:
- Where do I get off track?
- What does it take to be happy, peaceful, free of stress?
- Can I relax and let go into life?
The rubber meets the road in every moment, with unlimited opportunities to express devotion. It’s amazing how much choice we have! Suffering or freedom, tension or relaxation, closing or opening, fear or courage, separation or love. Overflowing with abundance. We are guided continually, if we let ourselves see the signs – in relationships, work, books we read, how we spend our time.
Whatever you are devoted to, choose it consciously. Don’t stay in a fog and abdicate responsibility. Man up. Be alive. And let your life sing your devotion.
What are you devoted to? How does it show? I’d love to hear…
GourmetOnADiet says
I just love your blog…I feel like each time I come here my eyes are opened to something new. I almost feel as if I have no idea what I’m devoted to…which doesn’t seem right to me. But it’s true; I have been feeling lately as if I don’t know my focus, my passion, my message…it wanders, it has no focus, there is so much out of my control and so many worries. I need to shake myself out of this “fog” — I call it a funk. It’s very hard for me to “let go and let God.” Thank you for getting me interested in what I’m devoted to…because the next question will be, How do I express that? And that’s where it gets REALLY interesting — and fun.
Gail Brenner says
I’m so glad you’re finding what you need here, Gourmet.
This is an important question: what are you devoted to. If you don’t know immediately, let it sink in below the level of the mind, into the deepest part of your being. Then listen – the answer may be right there.
marilee says
bingo, Gail, your article hits the spot. I will live your questions today and see if they help pull me out of a lost place. I do long for an open heart and connection to spirit. love to you, Marilee
Gail Brenner says
I hear you, Marilee. May your questioning be fruitful – I have a feeling it will be!
Vicky says
Gail – thank you for another beautiful article. I do really enjoy reading your blog. It reinforces my belief that the signs are everywhere. I’m devoted to learning to really listen to my heart, those guiding instincts and being true to myself – in the hope of creating a positive and powerful ripple effect for the highest good of all.
Gail Brenner says
What a beautiful intention, Vicky. Learning to listen involves moving attention away from the busy mind that likes to control everything. If you seek into a deeper place and let the answers come, you may find just what you are looking for.
Christopher Foster says
Devotion to the already existent truth of yourself. Surely this is at the core of true character and a meaningful life?
Gail Brenner says
“Devotion to the already existent truth of yourself.” I couldn’t agree with you more, Chris.
Célia says
Peace. I am devoted to inner peace, because I have realised that I am at my happiest when I reach that overwhelming sense of calm, when there is nothing I worry or stress about. It’s a fragile state of mind but I’m learning to nurture it and I’m getting better at finding my way back to it when I stray.
Gail Brenner says
Beautiful to hear, Celia, that you are devoted to inner peace. Stopping the inner war is revolutionary. We come to peace with everything that arises as it is. It might start slowly, but every moment of peace reinforces itself. And eventually, the remembering of it becomes easier and easier.
David says
Hi Gail,
I must admit that the word “devotion” is not a word I have associated with the ‘loves’ of my Life. It has sounded too restricting.
I love to be aware. I love people, I love coaching, I love imagination. I can’t quite get the “d” word in there however I will work on it. Thank you for this &
be good to yourself
David
Gail Brenner says
No pressure at all to feel devoted, David. It’s a provocative question for contemplation – with no right or wrong answer. Loving what you love sounds just right.
Bonnie Perry says
My devotion changes flavor from time to time, which may sound contradictory, but there are so many layers and aspects to the deepest of our devotions that I think we could keep on exploring them indefinitely. Most recently I have been devoted to trying to see the other side of the coin when I am feeling any degree of emotional pain. This has helped me to pick up on the bigger underlying “coin” issue at the common heart of both seemingly differing expressions.
Until your post here I probably would have referred to this as my commitment, but I so much prefer to use the term devotion. It seems to carry an intimacy and connectedness with it just upon bringing the word to mind.
Bonnie
Gail Brenner says
I also appreciate the word devotion, Bonnie. I looked up the word origin of “commitment” and “devotion.” Commitment has the sense of giving oneself over to something, whereas devotion is about expressing a sacred vow. No wonder you prefer that term! And it’s natural that this vow may change over time.
I love how your devotion to trying to see the other side of the coin has revealed exactly what you needed to see.
Cathy|Treatment Talk says
Hi Gail
It hasn’t always been so, but right now I’m devoted to letting go, discovering what makes me feel joy and happiness and letting others to the same. Insightful post!
Gail Brenner says
Beautiful devotion, Cathy. Thanks for sharing it here.
noch says
devoted to being myself…. being true to my inner self, my thoughts, my feelings, with no obligation to try to please everyone and to stand in my own ground to what i think. i must live a life for myself and not for anyone else, otherwise i will never be happy…
Gail Brenner says
Hi Noch,
You have described the recipe for happiness: devotion to being yourself, being true to your thoughts and feelings, standing in your own ground, living a life for yourself and not others. The funny thing is that when you live for yourself and for happiness, things clear up, and you are infinitely available for others – not as an attachment, but freely as love.
Thanks so much for your lovely comment.
hind says
I used to be devoted to truth, mindfulness and self-realization. Now , it seems like I am living in total chaos. I am depressed and I am addicted to self-destructive behaviors . I am officially lost and don’t know that way back home. I am trying so hard to get back on track but it seems like the harder i try , the harder it gets.
Blank says
I know you are seeking more ‘wisdomish’ advice, and not from me but:
Please, please seek help, talk to someone.
If you are having a really tough time you need to reach out and ask for help.
Everywhere, seriously everywhere there are people who care, we want to help you and are ready at the drop of a hat. But we need to be asked, or shown some sign.
If you need it simply respond to this comment and we can talk.
God Bless you and keep you, may you find happines, peace and fufilment and be surrounded by love (sorry if you are not religous, I do not mean to offend).
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Gail Brenner says
Welcome to you, Hind, and thank you so much for your comment.
Sometimes when we embark on the path of truth and self-realization, we get tested in huge ways. All of our conditioning rises up to entice us into abandoning what we know to be true. I don’t know if this is the case with you, or not. I appreciate that you are trying really hard, but as you are seeing, all the trying can become an obstacle. What would happen if you totally stopped trying – if you gave up the fight and let yourself relax?
Whatever your path is, you are always welcome here. Sending love…
noch says
hi Hind
I agree with Gail – maybe stop trying. Thats what I realized when I was in severe depression myself and the more I tried to get better or stopped thinking negatively, the more I did, and I tried to take my own life a few times. then i kind of “gave up” and stopped trying, and just instead put my time and efforts in enjoying the little things around me, read a book i’ve always wanted to read, get a puppy, learn calligraphy, watch DVDs and for a while i stopped trying to ask why or how or for what purpose. then as i became a bit stronger in mind, that’s only when i returned to some self introspection and confronting my thoughts (by the way writing really helps, I started a blog as a result and just put all my thoughts out there about depression etc, hope you take some inspiration there too)…. so only coz i stopped thinking, did i have strength to go back to it
for now, i suggest also you relax, or find someone to talk to (that’s also difficult, it took me 3 or 4 shrinks to find the one i like).
in any case, good luck. its not lost yet
Bonnie Perry says
So true. Great kindness to you, Hind. Less truly is more. Little, tiny joys can contain so much fullness here.
Peace to you.
m says
Hello Hind,
my prayers/blessings to you today…may you continue to be strong, and continue your journey towards truth…
Adrienne Jurado says
Hi Gail,
This is such an interesting discussion. Like David, I find the word “devotion” someone off-putting, almost unsettling. I think I’ve associated it with things like religion in the past, and perhaps that’s why. But I like the way you’ve described it here, and it makes me realize what it comes down to (or at least what I think it comes down to):
Devotion is difficult.
It’s easy to think about an idea, even to love it, such as the ideas of mindfulness or conscious living, but it’s difficult to fully commit — to devote — oneself to it. It’s easy to get busy or tired, or to make up excuses. Or as I think happens most often, I just allow it to unconsciously slip to the back of my mind.
It sounds to me like devotion is really made up of three parts: intention, attention, and dedication. We first have an intention, such as being mindful, they we must constantly pay attention to it and recall our intention, and finally, dedicate ourselves to making it a priority.
Otherwise, we may have the best of intentions, but as you say, we end up getting “blown about by the wind.”
Thank you for this — it’s something I need to spend some more time reflecting on.
Gail Brenner says
A warm welcome to you, Adrienne, and thank you for your thoughtful comment.
It is my experience also that trying to be devoted is hard. But there are other possibilities. In my case, devotion to truth wasn’t even a choice. I didn’t try. It welled up from somewhere beyond my personal choice and become completely obvious. Yes, I forget sometimes, but the willingness to stay true overpowers everything else.
I might suggest relaxing, getting quiet, listening to the inner wisdom, and seeing what that listening reveals. My guess is that the truth of the moment will show itself quite naturally and effortlessly. Maybe that is all that is needed.
Love to you…
Galen Pearl says
I’m devoted to being awake.
As an aside, I was surprised and interested by the different responses to the word “devotion.” How powerful words are, and how personal!
Gail Brenner says
Beautiful Galen. Does this devotion to being awake feel like a personal choice – or is it simply obvious to you?
It’s good to remember that words are pointers, at best. But I really like “devotion.” It speaks of surrender, potentially even losing control, melting. I’m happy to be devoted.
Galen Pearl says
Interesting question. Being devoted to being awake seems to me to be a personal choice, one that became obvious to me in my own life! So a little of both. Perhaps at some level I believe that this is what we are all devoted to, whether we are conscious of it or not, and regardless of what we call it.
Gail Brenner says
Yes, that’s just right, Galen. We all want happiness. We all want an end to suffering. Even though the search may be misguided or diverted, we all want to know our true nature.
L.O'Brien says
I am devoted to three things, two are my cardinal devotions (one primary, as it creates, largely fromt the first), things I fight not to waver from, the third is a kind of luxury devotion, when possible I persue it, when not (which is when it conflicts with the cardinal devotions) it cannot stand.
My first is very simple, it is my faith. I am deeply Christian and as such devoted. This comes to expression in a multitude of ways, many internal or private. Devotion to this is in one way or another utterly life dominating. This is a devotion that set ablaze my heart, breaks down barriers, rids me of negativity. This leads me to the second devotion.
Love, agape, service, there are many ways to express this concept.
The best way I have ever heard it expressed was by a preist asking small children to repeat after him, and he said “Love, love, love. everything else is blah, blah, blah”.
This love is the love and service of all man, for the simple reason that all are my brothers and sisters. This is primarily inspired (in my case) by my faith, a faith which demands this love as its second greatest commandment (though the first and second are intertwined). This comes to expression in many ways.
My third devotion, the luxury, is to learning, learning is my greatest non-faith (though often they overlap, knowledge of faith is vital and knowledge can in many cases allow service) passion. If time were to simply stop and I could do absolutly anything without any cost to others I would simply learn, I would read countless books and investigate countless subjects.
God Bless,
L.
Gail Brenner says
Welcome to you, L, and thank you for your rich and thoughtful comment.
I am so enjoying hearing how people’s lives are unfolding – what is important, what feeds the life expression. And from you I hear faith and love. That makes your life a blessing, nothing more needs to be added. Blessed life…
Deb Perkins says
Hi Gail,
I am devoted to being in Spirit. It’s a state where I feel “right”, sort of nailed to the spot of “rightness”. It’s very clear when I can feel it, but I have to keep reminding myself to go there,which, paradoxically, is not really true because I feel like I am always there anyway. It’s just that I get into a “semi-forgetting mode”, where I’m in an egoic state of anxiety, overwhelm, constriction of some sort, and although I know it’s a side shoot of Spirit, I take on the brunt of suffering because it is presenting itself. After I get sick of suffering, I walk out of it like a kid in a candy store – drawn to some immense temptation which only makes one sick if they indulge. And the kid knows he’s going to get sick, but he does it anyway. I guess this is all part of being human.
I have found that the best way to stay in Spirit consciousness is to take a cup of hot tea and sit down with a book by Adyashanti (it used to be Eckhart Tolle) as soon as I get up in the morning. I can read the same words over and over again and not get tired of them. This resets my focus for the rest of the day. It sort of reminds me what I already know (not conceptually, but on a deep gut/heart/soul level). It’s like how a worker may put on a uniform to get herself in the mindset to work. Reading and reflecting and acknowledging catapult me into the flow of life in the way that feels right. Amazing things fall into place from that base I tap into in the morning.
So, I think realizing and living in Spirit is my devotion. Everything else branches out from there in the coolest way.
I do have a question, Gail. What do you (and Adyashanti) mean by “No thoughts or beliefs are taken for granted and assumed to be true.”? I can see what it means in a general sense, but how literal is it? How about a thought like, “I have a daughter.” or ” I live in a house.”? Are you saying that the actual words themselves are just abstract symbols, and therefore never really a form of absolute reality? And do we know what absolute reality even is?
Thanks.
Deb
Gail Brenner says
Hi Deb,
Thank you for sharing how you express your devotion and keep it alive.
Now, regarding your question about not taking thoughts and beliefs for granted. You can understand this on different levels. At the level of the meaning of language, it means challenging the content of thoughts and not assuming they are true. It is meant quite literally. Take, “I live in a house.” Who or what is the I? And who is the I who is separate from the house? Examining these subtle, commonplace beliefs draws us into absolute reality. I can live in a house only if I assume that “I” means a separate person. With the understanding that there is no separate self, the meaning of the sentence falls apart. It becomes “I,” “I am,” existence itself that is before all forms and infuses them.
At the absolute level, there is just sensing: hearing, seeing, etc. If you read a word, it has meaning only through what has been learned. With no mind, no thought, no memory, there is just the seeing of shapes and color on a page. What happens if you don’t even assume that an “a” is an “a”? What is the absolute truth of this: a? It blows up the mind.
Absolute reality can be known. In fact, it can’t not be known. Because it is you. It is life. It knows itself. It is the formless oneness that excludes nothing. Can absolute reality be known by the mind? Now that is a different question. The mind tries so hard to understand these matters, but as John Sherman says, it has taken upon itself a job that it is unfit to do. Consciousness knows itself – that is all.
Deb Perkins says
Thanks for the explanation, Gail. I understand what you mean, on the “non-mind” level. It’s so nice to hear someone else clarify it. This whole existence is so precious, isn’t it? And it’s so nice to be surrounded by others who honor it in a pure way.
Gail Brenner says
I feel the same way, Deb. The resonance is everywhere, especially apparent among devoted “others.”
Ken Wert says
I love the idea of devotion, Deb. It suggests total commitment and surrender to something bigger. I’m devoted to my wife. I’m devoted to my children. I’m devoted to the process of growing as a father, a husband, a man, a human being. I’m devoted to the pursuit of decency and goodness and truth. I’m devoted to God and to happiness.
I fall short in all my devotions (but not critically so), but am committed to the journey.
Thanks for the wonderful post, Deb.
Gail Brenner says
Hi Ken, and welcome to you. That you are committed to the journey says everything. Thanks for sharing these beautiful devotions.
Chris says
A very powerful question. Now, I have to go deeper and ask myself about that.
Gail Brenner says
That’s exactly the point of this post, Chris. We don’t need to have all the answers – they come in their own time. What’s important is the willingness to entertain the essential questions.
Lori Gosselin says
Hi Gail,
Wow – this was powerful (are all your posts so powerful – I’m subscribing to find out 😉
I love the word devotion. It has much more meaning than passion – it’s passion’s older cousin or wise old uncle! What am I devoted to? I’d have to say the thing I am still most devoted to is my children. When they were small this translated into being a guide for them – showing them their way into the world. Now that they are adults and successfully on their paths, it means I want to BE what I showed them THEY could be. I learned what I could, taught it to them and they demonstrated the theory for me – putting it into action. I’ve been so long distracted by doing this for them, that I hadn’t moved into action for myself. Until now. I’m devoted to living my best life.
Thanks for this!
It’s nice to meet you!
Lori
Gail Brenner says
A warm welcome to you, Lori. Your children are fortunate to have a mother like you who has been so devoted to being a guide to them. And now it’s your turn to focus on you. May you live your best life in every moment!
Thank you for subscribing. You may also want to check out the archives by clicking here.
Michael says
You have never failed to impress us with your article Gail…I am looking forward to read the next post you have…
Gail Brenner says
So sweet, Michael. Thank you.
m says
“When you are devoted to something, your life is transformed. You begin orienting your activities toward what you really want. Doubt and confusion diminish, as you always have a benchmark to refer to. People and circumstances that no longer fit fall away.”
I particularly loved the above sentences – they strongly resonate with me – i’m getting increasingly ‘devoted’ to finding truth/enlightenment, in this lifetime, and i can see that my activities/work/social interactions/reading/meditation/etc are getting oriented towards this. I can also see that whatever does not fit this is also falling away, without my conscious effort. This devotion is beautiful. thanks for your post. Wishing you love and peace!
Gail Brenner says
Thank you for this beautiful comment, m. I feel the resonance with your devotion.
I love how you are noticing that what you don’t need is falling away on its own. Being so wants to know Itself. All we need to do is get out of the way.
Much love to you…
Shery Chive says
Hi Gail…You are really great in creating such articles like this…You are my inspiration right now…
Gail Brenner says
Welcome Shery. I’m so glad these articles are helpful to you.
Jenny says
Hi Gail…I am glad that I have found your post and I will keep on coming back here…Thanks!!
Gail Brenner says
You are most welcome, Jenny. Thanks for stopping by.
Sherrie says
Hello Gail…I am happy to see all your post and I can’t wait to read the next one…
Gail Brenner says
Thank you, Sherrie. Welcome to you…
Anna says
Hi Gail,
I’ve just found your site and I’m so grateful for it. I love it to say the least. What a gift. Thank you.
Well, having escaped a terrible marriage that involved domestic abuse, my devotion has shifted from the somewhat esoteric (you shall love the lord you god with all your heart and so on..) to the much much more real. My life is now devoted to my children, to my friends, to my family, to my self, and to the future of a happy earth. I give each day to fighting the temptation to believe in ‘things unseen’, and the fight against mental ‘dis’ease, which seems to run in my family. I 100% focused on living a good, happy life.. For myself, my children, and anyone else around me that needs encouragement that the world CAN be a happy place (it is for millions all over).. that we can develop RESILIENCE to deal with the hard times, that we can be responsible for ourselves, that we can love others.. and ourselves.. and that life can be worth the living. Lol.. 🙂 that’s me !
Thank you again so much for the post and the site. You’re staying in my tabs 🙂
Hugs.
Gail Brenner says
Hi Anna,
Thanks so much for your beautiful comment. Now you’re devoted to what is true for you. And your devotion shows in where you put your attention and how you spend your time. You’re an inspiration that shows what’s possible. Much love…