15 Comments
User's avatar
Linda Castronovo's avatar

Thank you, Paulette! I love this line: "Humanity is a direct response to supreme consciousness’s desire to experience the play of life through you and me." And this one: "Our bodies are not cumbersome heavy winter coats that need shrugging off to feel the renewal of Spring. Non-duality views this life and our bodies as the vehicles to enlightenment." Refreshing!

Expand full comment
Sandra Pawula's avatar

Paulette, I've always had trouble with this particular idea from the Hindu tradition: "Humanity is a direct response to supreme consciousness’s desire to experience the play of life through you and me." It just doesn't resonate for me, unlike the Buddhist notion of emptiness. I'm not suggesting one is right or wrong. There are many paths to awakening. And maybe I'm taking the idea too literally. I would love for you to explore this idea in one of your pieces, how you understand it, and what it means to you if that interests you.

Expand full comment
Paulette Bodeman's avatar

I sometimes wonder if it's my Catholic upbringing that drew me to this school of Tantric thought. I couldn't reconcile the God of my youth, but a Higher Intelligence, well maybe. I appreciate your comment and agree that there are many paths to awakening. It's so not a once size fits all. I will in the future try to explore this idea. I'd appreciate to if you might consider exploring the concept of emptiness. I know, both topics require careful synthesizing. When I think of emptiness I automatically think of the void of Kali, holder of all and nothing.

Expand full comment
Sandra Pawula's avatar

Paulette, When I read about the three goddesses in the preface of your book and your description of Kali as the void of potentiality, I thought, "Now, I can relate to that!" I had a Catholic upbringing too, and there certainly is endless ritual in Vajrayana Buddhism. But I relate to the idea of emptiness. Thanks for taking this into consideration.

Expand full comment
Sandra Pawula's avatar

Paulette, I'm looking forward to the series!

Expand full comment
Paulette Bodeman's avatar

I'm so glad, Sandra. Me too.

Expand full comment
Jiva Smith's avatar

Thanks for an insightful post!

Expand full comment
Paulette Bodeman's avatar

I'm happy you found it insightful, Jiva. Welcome.

Expand full comment
Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Hello Paulette, I look forward to joining you for the ride! This line spoke to me, "Guru moments beam brilliantly on the ordinariness of daily life. Thus, the mundane becomes extraordinary." Love it b/c so true.

Expand full comment
Paulette Bodeman's avatar

Hi Jeanine, so happy to be sharing this ride with you too. I think we can so overlook the simple exquisite moments of the ordinary. I used to say to my students, we have to stop searching for those fourth of July fireworks out there. When they're right in front of us.

Expand full comment
Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Yes, true.

Expand full comment
Susan Harley's avatar

Non-duality views this life and our bodies as the vehicles to enlightenment. Glad to be on this journey with you Paulette.

I listened to an interesting talk on The Great Simplification Podcast , with Daniel Schmachtenberger about how non-duality is our best hope for change and a viable future. 💜

Expand full comment
Paulette Bodeman's avatar

I'm very happy to be on the journey with you as well, Susan. Thanks for being here. I'll be checking out that podcast, sounds very interesting.

Expand full comment
Susan Harley's avatar

It’s long , I have to pause occasionally & reflect. Daniel is such a deep & worthwhile thinker.

He is an important part of my sense making 💓

I am very interested to hear what you think of this talk, if you have time. X

Expand full comment
Paulette Bodeman's avatar

That's a powerful statement, Susan.

Expand full comment