Guy's Letters

Question: My partner and I have had so many painful experiences along the spiritual path, encountering people and paths promising at first and then proving to be so empty! In all honesty, one hardly has the heart to keep going...

Question: I have been having a bad problem with losing my love and ambition for listening and making music. Music is discipline and I have dedicated most of my life to it, but recently I have seen my ambition for it -from practicing my instrument to enjoyment of listening it - go to zero. I actually played a gig recently and found myself not enjoying what I was doing. Any advice on how to get the love back?

Question: My ex-husband is a drug and alcohol addict. The alcoholism has especially worsened over the past several years. I covered it up for years with others, then could do it no longer. I now receive punishing e-mails from him every week. It is affecting my sleep, health, serenity, and a new relationship. I have asked him to stop, and it does nothing, but I don't want to get attorneys involved. Do you have any thoughts on the best path forward?

Question: I often overtalk in conversations and am working hard at engaging in give-and-take conversations where I say a few things and then stop and wait so the other person can give a few of their thoughts. To do otherwise can lead to excited talking non-stop, which sounds selfish. What can one do to remedy overtalking?

Question: I struggle as I get older and the purpose of my life changes. I begin to wonder, "Well, what is my purpose?" Is being mindful enough? Should I be volunteering? Should I be doing this or that to complete myself? I also struggle with the conditions of the world and my local community. The changes in our society weigh heavily on me, and I often don't know what I can do. But the conflict arises when my mind remembers...

Question: Concerning verbal and emotional abuse by a spouse... how does one deal with intimidation, put downs, blaming, coercion, withholding of affection, threats, diverting, denial, not keeping agreements -- all happening in a cycle? I am unable to leave due to a medical condition that keeps me financially dependent. I want to evolve as much as possible in this life. I meditate regularly...

Question: My father just passed away, and after fifty years of marriage to someone who was significantly dependent on her, my mother is struggling to find her purpose. I'm doing well thanks to Truth teachings. I've shared them with her when I felt it might assist, and she has responded. Any words you might have for her would be welcome.

Question: I recognize that my lower nature doesn't really like people. Parts of me are afraid of people and easily annoyed by them. I've been aware of this long before I came across these teachings. But I'm now seeing a big stumbling block for me: my mind has a thousand explanations, justifications, and rationalizations for why these negative, punishing thoughts seem so imminently reasonable...

Question: Can you help me understand the exercise "burn the wish" that you have spoken of? I have learned from your talks that insights and epiphanies are great, but they're not "It," and that I must constantly live a sacrificial life to remain in every moment. One of my most sincere wishes is to be around individuals who are interested in truth and presence, and a part of me is thinking that's a true wish.

Question: It does indeed appear that something conspires to help me discover the way out of useless suffering. It is encouraging whenever a sudden awareness sheds new light on old pain. Right then and there, I can't know where I'll arrive at any imagined destiny, but then there's a knowing that I don't really need to live beyond these present small glimpses. I fancy that freedom is stashed all around me...

Question: I am troubled by something I read in The Secret of Letting Go. I do understand and agree with your point that a fancy job title accompanied your life seems to lack meaning. However, the "rules" of this modern era state that being passive and letting life come to you leaves you vulnerable to missing out on the opportunities. In other words, being proactive prevails while passivity...

Question: I am 61-years old. I have been smoking crack for 12 years and I have lost everything. I was a millionaire at one time, but now I have no home, no family, and no money. How can I start believing in myself again?