Back in the days of waning hippie-dom, in the late 1970's/early 1980's, before many of the spliff-toking, Marley-loving, Anglo American Rasta-wannabes became born-again Christians and soldiers for Narcotics Anonymous, I came across a book. Written by Ken Keyes (not to be confused with Ken Kesey of Merry Pranksters and Electric Cool-Aid Acid Test fame), the book, Handbook to Higher Consciousness, was published in 1972, and was everything its name implies.
Full of anecdotes, personal stories, and prescriptions for living a life from the inside instead of one led by what transpires on the outside, it gave true personal growth a basis from which to be inspired.
The author, Ken Keyes, was born of a privileged family, was athletic and smart, but contracted polio in his 20's and became a quadriplegic for a time. When he did recover he was full of insight. Keyes went on to author books, do the commune scene, found the now-defunct Ken Keyes College in Oregon, marry four times, become a successful real estate mogul, own and sail yachts. He did not live life lightly - nor with one woman at a time! In the meantime, though, he wrote at least one very inspired, helpful book mentioned above.
On my refrigerator for the past 20 years has been a cut-out of Keyes' Keys to Happiness:
1. Ask for what you want, but don't demand it.
2. Accept whatever happens for now.
3. Turn up the Love even if you don't get what you want.
These three "steps" have been, for me, gospel. Even when I have forgotten to use these precepts, they are never far from my awareness of good tools for inter-relations. They bring me back to a place that is universal in its wisdom.
TURN UP THE LOVE!
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