Late Night Chat with Jeff Wolverton: Effort and Grace, June 11, 2023, live on Baba Zoom

We have some informal chat after every arti, the "post-arti party"! But once a week, Jeff Wolverton joins us for some serious mining of the spiritual depths. Join us for conversation, more readings, songs, quotes - you never know what treasures will be uncovered!

Dear folks of Baba,

This Sunday we will again explore Darwin Shaw’s book, Effort and Grace, which is an in-depth inquiry into the inner life with Baba. It describes one of the major approaches to Baba by one who was devoted to Him for over 70 years, which culminated in a glorious intimacy with Him. Darwin was always so encouraging and optimistic in what we can do to open up to Baba’s immediate loving presence. He asserts that many of the blocks to this intimacy can be removed by our efforts and by inviting Baba’s ongoing intervention and grace.

We continue with the section on "Cultivate Companionship" on page 45 in the chapter Changing Our Focus. As we persist in drawing closer to Baba within, the “eyes" of the heart begin to open, a refined latent faculty (awareness) we might not have realized we have. We begin to see how and where the forces and impulses within us arise and the directions they flow toward. We can choose which currents lead to Baba and which flow away from Him. We discover that Baba is not a static figure within us, but is the central dynamic flow of love ever-ready to inundate our heart if we gradually work to pull aside all veils and surrender all resistance. We are rewarded increasingly with moments where we experience a warm glow in the heart. In allowing love to flow through us from an inner level, whether or not it is expressed outwardly, there is a natural giving and emanation that takes place that is fulfilling in itself. As Darwin says, “When we love, we do not need to have our love reciprocated, because we are already experiencing fulfillment.” Truly inspiring words! Loving with no strings attached. We turn again and again to Baba with growing confidence—as well as our efforts—and rely upon His intervention. In Rumi’s words:

Faith is the sail hoisted above the ship

of your being. When there is a sail,

the wind of the Beloved’s Love can carry you

to place after place of Grace and Wonder.

Without a sail, your ship will only drift

with the tide of the world.

Each session evokes invaluable discussion that does not require having attended the previous sessions; each section stands alone and provides a window into the inner life of the lover/Beloved relationship and is virtually independent, like facets of one diamond—Baba.

For those who do not have a copy of the book, below is an attachment for following along:

https://issuu.com/ompoint/docs/shaw_effort_grace

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