Daryl Wood's Blog

“One need not travel to distant lands, seek exotic mystical experiences, master esoteric mantras and treatises, or cultivate extraordinary states of mind in order to experience a radical change of heart and inner transformation. Spiritually speaking, everything that one wants, aspires to, and needs is ever-present, accessible here and now – for those with eyes to see. It’s the old adage all over again: You don’t need to see different things, but rather to see things differently.” Lama Surya Das

Fifty years ago I heard about Transcendental Meditation from my father who heard about it in the most unlikely of places – a boardroom on Bay Street in Toronto’s downtown business district. I watched with great curiousity to see how it impacted his life and since then have used it off and on. Twenty-eight years ago I was introduced to the world of spirituality, consciousness, self-help, personal growth, meditation, wisdom, introspection and more through the incredible people I met while attending The Hoffman Process. This way of being in the world became the pillar I built my life and career on using my hunger for learning to fuel women’s retreats and my coaching. And then my beloved Doug’s medical crisis upended my world and I lost myself. Until now.

The past year I tried hard to find my way back to the spaciousness, loving kindness, faith and hope that had sustained me through leading retreats, coaching and living as on purpose as I could. Suddenly at the end of December, and nothing ever really is sudden, I was forced into solitude and what a blessing. Suddenly and slowly, what I’d known and believed had room to draw my eye and heart away from the chaotic world around me and into the calm centre that offered peace and an understanding I hadn’t been able to fully embrace for years. And suddenly and slowly the teachings of the past and new insights filled my days. A series of Near Death Stories, a book called Signs, the Understanding Grief book and then the YouTube channel called Modern Buddhism. Reading, listening and immersing myself in the subtle reminders of what is true and resonant opened me to watching for signs and messages of hope. And lying in bed last night the name “Lama Surya Das” popped into my head. I got up and found his book “Awakening the Buddha Within” on my bookshelf. It was gifted to me 22 years ago and the dozens of sticky notes attest to how deeply it touched me then. And it has sat there idle on the shelf for all these years waiting for me to find my way back to the gifts in its pages.

I had shared the above quote often in those first few years and when I opened the book last night this quote was the first marked passage. I smiled. That’s what I’ve been doing this past week of reflection, seeing things differently. The pre-scheduled posts went out and I stayed inward, needing and appreciating a more solemn conversation with myself.

So now I wonder how this blog will change and if it will have any meaning for the handful of people who give it a glance. I am a writer so this is usually where I bring my experiences to land. As I travel deeper inward I’m not sure if I will feel the urge to keep doing that. And if I do, I will be curious to see what gets into print and what impact that will have on those who have found something in my writing to lift, support, inspire, inform or guide them. What new material comes to me is keeping me alert to the power of the Universe/God Energy/Creator/Greater Consciousness to give me what I need whether I know it or not. And when I slow down, breathe and listen I know I am guided and it is indeed what I need.

If what shows up here gives others hope and comfort, I’m grateful I have the courage and means to be of service to anyone who seeks learning from my journey. Namaste