There are flood warnings and such a deluge I did not go to meditation this morning. It's supposed to clear this afternoon. In the meantime I am reading my terrific book by Solomon, "Far From the Tree". It is so thought provoking and informational. I have read the chapters on deaf children and dwarves. Nest is down syndrome. He is exploring what makes parents accept or reject difference in their children, and how being different and more importantly, others' attitudes affects these children. It is a lesson in capacity and compassion. It reminds me of my first husband's family, in Fiji, who had no money or resources, but tenderly cared for their severely disabled son in the middle of their one room, so that he was surrounded by his family and great kindness until he died, many years later. I don't know his life from his perspective, but I know he never new cruelty, abandonment or felt a lack of belonging, whereas many parents would have sent him away to be wearhoused.
So I am learning spiritual lessons from this book. Solomon's other book, "The Noonday Demon: an Atlas of Depression" informed me in the same way. Our attitude towards what our life unfolds as is more important than any details. After reading that book I had so much more compassion for what the world labels mental illness. I saw it as complex and also so individual. The responses are infinite. The possibilities just as infinite.
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