Hey Reader!

Last weekend I binge-read this incredible book about an 86-year-old man named Theo. Then I immediately started it again. I’ve never done that in my life!

Reading about him, I felt this surge of inspiration. "Yes!" I thought. "This is exactly how I want to move through the world. With that kind of open-hearted curiosity about people."

I was practically glowing with warmth from this aspiration.

Then I went to Costco. On a Saturday.

You probably know it. That fluorescent temple of American excess where humanity goes to battle over bulk toilet paper.

Someone cut in front of me with not just one but TWO overflowing carts, and despite 45 years of work on myself, despite all my meditation and self-inquiry and consciousness exploration... I turned into someone else. Full Jekyll and Hyde time.

The eye roll. The muttered comment. Pure defensive survival mode.

Suddenly I'm not that different from the cart-rammer. I just hide it better.

And I know I'm not alone in this. I once watched a famous meditation teacher berate his crying baby backstage, then walk out in his white robes to preach equanimity to hundreds of devoted followers.

We're all spiritual until someone cuts us off in traffic.

Here's what I think is really happening: For most of us, being 'spiritual' basically means not being human. We just don't realize it.

We think enlightenment means never feeling irritated, never judging anyone, never having a petty thought. We've been sold this idea that spiritual growth means transcending all the messy, inconvenient parts of being human.

What a relief it was to realize that's complete bullshit!

And that's exactly what Theo does differently.

He doesn't approach people like he's transcended his humanity. He simply approaches them with genuine curiosity about THEIR humanity.

Which made me think: When someone cuts in line, I can assume they're an entitled jerk. Or I can get curious about what kind of urgency might drive someone to risk public judgment.

That tiny shift from assumption to curiosity? That might be the whole game.

I dove deep into this whole realization on my blog this week - the book that cracked me open and what it might look like to become 'living works of art' through curiosity instead of perfection.

​Read the full story here →​

Because maybe the point isn't never getting triggered. Maybe it's just that split-second pause. That choice between story and wonder

Wake-Up Question: Where do you notice yourself being 'spiritual' until real life tests you?

Much love,
Pamela
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P.S. The book is "Theo of Golden" and fair warning: it will make you ugly-cry. In the best possible way.