New year, new excitement

Like most people, I am often asked where I live.  Unlike most people, however, I do not have a clear answer because I am homeless.  At any given time I also have with me no worldly possessions save for a few bits of clothing and a handful of small sentimental items such as a photo of my grandmother and a wooden angel with “JOY” carved on her robe.

Because I am homeless I do not have the burden of keeping up material standards or the annoyance of daily junk mail, but I also do not have the grounding benefits of a place to gather with resonant community or, on the flip side, a quiet place to sustain solitary internal silence – both of which I have come to understand are vital to my life, particularly this year.  So I am thrilled to be returning to my beloved little room at Thosamling Nunnery & Institute in India on January 21.  

I am new to this ascetic life and there really is no handbook for someone like me.  I have no religious background or theological training, so I cannot easily turn to traditional faith-based systems and expect embrace and direction simply by saying I have a direct connection to God and know the fundamental truths upon which most all religions are based.  Therefore I must make my own way, constantly facing my fears and not letting societal pressures to do something “normal” keep me from writing my own handbook and living my own life’s purpose authentically. 

My journey as an unwitting mystic began in earnest fourteen years ago the moment an image of “WORDS” rose up in a vision preceded by an image of a large golden Bible placed upon a pedestal.  My directive that day was (and many times since has been) to find the words to bridge the spirit and physical worlds to assist others in understanding divine truth so as to help end suffering for all beings. 

In 2014 I will finally begin sharing these words in a way I have never been able to before.   And I look to my loved ones around the world now to help me do it.

I am in the final stages of completing a book I have been working on for more than a year.  The book reveals my personal journey from suicide attempt to spiritual awakening, and provides intimate details of my visions and insights that I have never spoken of publicly.  Early reviews of the unfinished manuscript have been very encouraging and I am giddily excited at the prospect of a public release in the near future.

I will be at Thosamling through June, immersed in the spiritual practice and focus necessary to complete and publish the book (e-book only at first).  I look to my friends and supporters now to help me in two ways: 

-       First, please help me raise the final $3000 necessary to cover all travel, lodging and publishing expenses through June.  Rather than do an online kickstarter.com campaign that takes 5% of funds raised, I ask supporters to use the “Alms for Mary’s Journey” donate button here on the right side panel of my Daily Lama blog.  (I will be using this blog again while in India; some previous posts will now be available only in the book).  

-       Second, invite me to speak in your community July, August or September – anywhere in the world.  I aim to create a new global dialogue about intuitive spirituality, interfaith collaborations and the expanded possibilities for Love, Peace and Joy in our future, and I will use a grassroots speaking tour to build that foundation.  I also want to encourage and inspire others who, like me, have a deep desire to live a life purpose in a way that can at times be at odds with societal norms.  Please consider hosting a house party or reaching out to groups in your area that may be interested in a book reading and discussion or hearing about the rising interest in journeys of spiritual immersion and “self resurrection.” 

From the bottom of my heart I thank everyone for their continued interest in and support of my journey and I look forward to your companionship in this exciting new year.  Big things are ahead for all of us, so everyone grab a hand and let’s get there together!

Peace and love to all.

Namaste