The Five Invitations
This past weekend I was introduced to the work of Frank Ostaseski, author of The Five Invitations: Discovering What Death Can Teach Us About Living Fully. Perhaps it's that I’m entering what some refer to as life’s “third act,” perhaps it's a reflection of our times as the world grapples with a pandemic, climate crisis, racism, war . . . Likely, all of it brings me in resonance with The Five Invitations and the sense of hope and possibility that these invitations re-awaken in me, and inspire me to share these simple and profound words with you.
Don’t wait. "Everything we need is right in front of us. Impermanence is the doorway to possibility. Embracing it is where true freedom lies."
Welcome everything, push away nothing. "We can gain access to some part of us that includes, but is not driven by, our reactivity.”
Bring your whole self to the experience. "Wholeness does not mean perfection. It means no part left out."
Find a place of rest in the middle of things. "Rest is a choice—a choice to be alert, to bring your attention to this moment."
Cultivate the ‘don’t know’ mind. “In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s there are few.”
If these invitations resonate and your curiosity is awaken, you might enjoy watching this interview with Frank Ostaseski (26 min version)
