Someone that I loved died suddenly this last week. He was a mentor, therapist, colleague and friend. He used to remind me that we were committed to the same thing; healing and transformation.

He was active in many organizations committed to healing and had a vibrant practice in which many people sought his wisdom and assistance. I will miss him on this physical plane and will be grateful for the ways he touched my life and the lives of my family members and friends.

I have a fantasy that I have had to confront. In my mind it goes something like, "if I do all the right things, eat all the right foods, deal with my trauma and do my best to live a life of service, I will live a long and vibrant life." Today, I am not sure this is true. My friend did all of those things and he died very young. I am rethinking this fantasy.

Embracing the Mystery of life and death is part of living a spiritual life. The word, "mystery" comes from "mystic" which speaks about an "initiated person" and "initiated" comes from the word "beginning." Embracing the mystery in life and being a mystic or initiated person is just the beginning really. There is so much we do not know or understand. All that we can do is go within, trust our own spiritual process and surrender to the mystery of it all.

I wish there was another way to live the spiritual life other than having to be shocked by so many uncertainties, but I believe that the way of the mystic is to life this way. In our addictions and challenges, there is mystery and unknowns and our healing from it all depends upon our trust and surrender to it.

Today, I honor the mystery of the spiritual life. I honor the unknowns, the shocks, the comings and goings of great ones in and out of the physical and spiritual realms. Dealing with our addictions, giving up our trauma, old beliefs and behaviors will guide us into an unknown and new way of living. Surrendering to the mystery of it all seems the only option to keep us on the edge, trusting and open.

Blessings to you on this great journey of mystery and new beginnings,

Sally