Author: tomstellawebsite

“William James distinguished between what he called the once-born and the twice-born. The once-born are those who do not question existence and live out their lives with contentment. They are at home in themselves and in the world because they do not wonder why. It’s as if someone gave them a happiness gene. The twice-born … Continue reading Looking for Home

Who is the spiritual master? The master limps. The master is not perfect. Like the rest of us, the master is flawed. But unlike most of us, the master is not handicapped by his limping because he knows his limping doesn’t have the power to name who he is. Like everyone else, the master is … Continue reading The Master Limps

“Until a few years ago I had spent the greater part of my time in a more or less covert struggle with life. However well things were going, I often felt that something was not quite right. Either I didn’t want what turned up in quite the form it appeared, or I wanted something else … Continue reading Drop the Struggle

“You ask whether your verses are any good. You ask me. You have asked others before this. You send them to magazines. You compare them with other poems...I beg you to stop doing that sort of thing. You are looking outside, and that is what you should most avoid right now... There is only one … Continue reading A Path with Heart

“Abbot Lot came to Abbot Joseph and said: Father, according as I am able, I keep my little rule, and my little fast, my prayer, meditations and contemplative silence; and according as I am able I strive to cleanse my heart of thoughts: now what more should I do? The elder rose up in reply … Continue reading On Fire

“No one knows what we’re doing here. Some have faith that they do, but no one knows. So we are scared. We are alone. And we end. And we don’t know where we go. So we cling to money for comfort. And we chase awards for immortality. And we hide in the routine of our … Continue reading Love and Laugh