Threads of Silk in the Web of Life

Excerpt from The Work of the Worm,
AS FAR AS THE HEART CAN SEE
by Mark Nepo:

"The story tells us everything in Creation is connected, and that what holds it all together comes from the humble work of living on earth, spinning from our guts a fine thread that holds everything together.  It tells us that the experience of eternity is possible, if we immerse ourselves firsthand in the barely see-able web of connectedness." 
                 (The Work of the Worm, a story)



Towards the end of last year, the near death of a close friend prompted me to evaluate my life.  Too often we forget how fragile life really is and no matter what our age, death may visit unexpectedly.  I began to review neglected personal commitments towards expressing myself whether through the written or spoken word, and rearranged my priorities.  After all, I had clearly arrived at what I had always referred to as my future!  If not now, when?

At the beginning of this year, I made a presentation, The Art of Dreaming, to an audience of 40 eager faces.  It was an exciting topic as dreams are portals to deeper understanding of our inner self.  Throughout this event, I was repeatedly reminded of how very much I enjoyed the sense of spirit flowing through me, how my researched and experienced knowledge could really enhance the lives of others, and the pure joy of living in the present moment.

Late in the winter, I was blessed to spend a month on Maui.  There was no way to ignore nature while visiting on this island.  Every glance taken fell upon beauty just waiting to be embraced.  Winding roads led to intriguing little towns, and the constant waves of the ocean drew attention to the whales and turtles.  Flowers and trees reflected a vibrancy that seemed to be drawn from the spirit of the culture.  I seemed to be suspended in a spiritual experience of intensified awareness finding magic in all people, places, and things.  Never have I felt so exhilarated.

So I studied these three experiences (evaluating my life, being present through presentation, and intense observation) and asked myself how they were related to each other.  Mark Nepo asks, "What are they trying to say to you about the nature of life and where you are in your journey?" 

The nature of my life seems to thrive when I exchange wisdom and remain still with awareness.  I find magic in my life when I connect all things together.  My journey encourages me to explore all of the mysteries lodged within my soul. 
I can see how all three incidents are related, connected, and intertwined.  All experiences become the silky thread of the cocoon binding our encounters and adventures.  Great or small, our very existence is significant to the connectedness of all of life.  If we listen, we will hear the wisdom each has to share.

In the words of Mark Nepo, "The story tells us that if we still ourselves long enough within the web of all there is, we will eventually come to know the lightness of God's being."