God is presented to us as an alpha male. “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” And we take the bait. After all, we are His sheep. But sheep can only eat bait for so long. All of a sudden a phrase comes to mind, “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.” Ah, that’s more like it. A good nap in the sun with a cool drink of water whenever I need it.

But life is not all beer and skittles. Our minds soon see to it that we want freedom from ourselves. My teacher, Vernon Howard, said that there is no escape via the mind. We, as students, heard the words but didn’t have the strength to quit trying to set ourselves free.

“And ye shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.” Oh, I am not supposed to be in charge of my own freedom. Cool.” That doesn’t work either. Something is wrong and God, the alpha male, has never made an appearance. Where is He!

Advaita is an alpha male teaching and it never did much for me. At heart I am more of a Sufi, one that is a receiver of God. The feminine approach seems to work better for me. Rumi and Hafiz are my kind of guys. Mystical with a constant sense of wonder and amusement. I can dig it.

Alpha males run the discussions and forums online. They want results and they want to be in charge of telling you how to get them. They want you to roll over and show them your belly. Mine is way too tender for that.

This is a funky essay. Nothing new under the sun except what happens when you don’t wear sunscreen. Stay out of the direct sunlight. Interesting things grow in the deep shade of your humanity.

Vicki Woodyard