What do I bring to those I encounter on my journey? What do you bring to those you encounter in your business? More HOPE?
The Spring 2006 issue of Parabola magazine's theme is "Coming to Our Senses." I read the whole magazine during my enchanted canyon retreat. David Abrams' article on "The Invisibles" reminded me that the three invisibles are connected to indigenous people's prayers, songs and teachings, which are always tied into natural forces.
As I was reading, while also remembering to check out the plants, bugs, and birds around me, I got a message: Go deep into one thing--into "oneness."
It has always been difficult for me to focus on one thing. Way back when I first tried to meditate by sitting still or sitting and staring into a candle flame, I could only focus for a couple of minutes before getting frustrated or bored. However, yoga helped me to feel my body deeply and to connect to the earth. I now know what it means to accept the support of the earth, as in letting your weight relax into the earth, and then, without losing that groundedness, receiving the counterforce towards the heavens. Gravity and light are two forces to which all life forms respond: invisible forces with which we are in continual felt relationship.
Anyway, I looked intently at a small bit of a cedar branch a couple of feet in front of me and was amazed that as I relaxed into this little speck of the tree, my peripheral vision picked up various flying insects, subtle movements of plants and branches, and gorgeous cobwebs that shimmered colorfully in the sunlight, swaying with the breeze. I went deeply into a state of expansion and bliss.YUM!
Conclusion, without our senses, how can we really know anything? By coming to our senses, we can easily see how we humans are abusing the earth and could lose the support it offers. So, I pledge to feel, see, smell, taste, hear and touch as fully as possible. I will help those I encounter to reconnect to nature and their senses, to feel more wholesome and grounded. Just like the iridescent cobwebs shifting with the breeze, yet still hanging on, we can observe the feelings our thoughts arouse and shift them to adjust to feel-good thoughts. We can hang in there through coming to our senses; our shine can bring smiles and HOPE to others.
This is part of the self-awareness and belief systems work that I do with my lighten up! learning business.
Teacher |
