Contemplating Courage and Coffee

A coffee contemplation.

Audio narration by David Marlow

Couraged Exposed…reimagined work by David Marlow from an original photo by Zenek Wałowski

As a thank-you for your continued support and encouragement, I’m sharing an example of "Coffee Contemplations" with all of you.

Each week, I share Coffee Contemplations. These are often more profound and personal reflections in addition to the articles, classes, and studies available in Ikiquest+.

I hope you enjoy this special meditation session, which provides a glimpse into the content available to our paid subscribers.

Thank you for being part of our Ikigai Moai, and I look forward to sharing more enriching experiences with you in the future.

The late John O'Donoghue offers comfort and encouragement for what he calls the ‘thresholds’ of life in a book of blessings.

It was originally published in the UK under the title ‘Benedictus, A Book of Blessings,’ but I found the US title to speak more to his aim, to ‘To Bless the Space Between Us.’

To bless someone is to connect with them, to reach them, and to share that no one is entirely alone.

Sharing our humanity with other humans while acknowledging a greater good and a greater part of ourselves helps bridge that gap and close that space between us.

Perhaps more than connection, it's about communion, one with another.

This blessing was created for times when courage is called for and we aren’t feeling up to the task.

FOR COURAGE¹

When the light around lessens
And your thoughts darken until
Your body feels fear turn
Cold as a stone inside,

When you find yourself bereft
Of any belief in yourself
And all you unknowingly
Leaned on has fallen,

When one voice commands
Your whole heart,
And it is raven dark,

Steady yourself and see
That it is your own thinking
That darkens your world.

Search and you will find
A diamond-thought of light,

Know that you are not alone,
And that this darkness has purpose;
Gradually it will school your eyes,
To find the one gift your life requires
Hidden within this night-corner.

Invoke the learning
Of every suffering
You have suffered.

Close your eyes.
Gather all the kindling
About your heart
To create one spark

That is all you need
To nourish the flame
That will cleanse the dark
Of its weight of festered fear.

A new confidence will come alive
To urge you towards higher ground
Where your imagination
will learn to engage difficulty
As its most rewarding threshold!

John O’Donohue

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1. John O’Donohue, from ‘Benedictus: A Book of Blessings,’ Bantam Press, 2007