Week 7: David Swanson, the man who made the impossible, possible

To understand the importance of having Rules to Live By, it is helpful to know some about the man David Swanson and his story.

“There was’t anybody telling David Swanson what to do . . . ”

To Do List for Success, Kalindi, June 2007

“I have been moving . . . I have not sat thinking what to do, I just moved.”

David Swanson, May 24 1989

This last quote is the very basis of our Simple Path. David Swanson was always working on the next thing in order to go faster. He knew he didn’t have much time.

David always gave himself Rules to Live By. His Rules and his commitment to them are what kept him on track, what allowed him to accomplish what he knew was his destiny, to offer his body as a vessel for the Presence of Lord Gourasana to come into this world.

You do not need to believe his story, just know that this is the story of our beginnings, the beginning of this Mission. Simply know the example of a man that gave his life and accomplished something seemingly impossible to do.

David Swanson was a very unique and very normal, sincere man.

This Mission happened because of David’s path and his sacrifice. He did not have the support that we have. One man made it possible for all of us to receive everything that we are receiving.

David’s rules were to support his unique transformation and destiny with God. Find your own rules, personally for yourself.

David Swanson’s Five Rules to Live By

• Never Give Up.
• Suffering is OK.
• No Question of Giving Up.
• God has given me one strength which is to never give up.
• Gourasana has given me a blessing, which is that my life has been constant suffering.

More rules David Swanson gave himself at different times:

• Never criticize anyone.
• Everyone is more important than you.
• Focus on what you want, not on what you worry about.
• Never be timid.
• Preach to yourself.
• Keep trying.
• God wants your association more than you want His. He will make it possible.
• If you permit exceptions to your schedule, you will soon have no schedule.
• Peace of mind won´t come without consciousness.
• Start working on your tolerance to cold, to being tired, to all circumstances so you feel peaceful even in the worst conditions.
• Equipoised mind.
• Uncompromising desire.
• Try to be fully aware at all times. Even a few moments a day is a start.
• Constant control of the mind.
• A mistake made three times is a decision.

“Say we are going to follow the only example we have . . . There is only one person in my heart that is singing like a little bird. Because of Him I will speak the glory of God until my last breath.”

Kalindi about David Swanson (“Birdie” was Kalindi’s nickname for him.)