falling apart

After a recent spate of minor catatrophes I have felt like I am 'falling apart' at the seams. So what else is new!

I've often said that sustained spiritual practice is like 'unraveling the knitting', as in: my mind keeps stitching me back together with its constant story telling, and the practice keeps undoing all that, to dip me back into ... what? the void? No-thing? That place where, having found it, I can let go utterly of me? You catch my drift? Hence, 'unraveling'.

But that process can shake you down to your roots sometimes (that goes without saying, eh?) I suppose there are noble antecedents to this alternative to keeping it all together, then.

Thanks to Mitch Ditkoff for this lovely reminder from the Chinese sage, Lao-Tsu:

I am a fool, oh yes, I am confused.
Other men are clear and bright.
But I alone am dim and weak.
Other men are sharp and clever,
But I alone am dull and stupid.
Oh, I drift like the waves of the sea,
Without direction, like the restless wind.