Inborn Tune

"A bird half wakened in the lunar noon

 Sang halfway through its inborn tune."

Robert Frost 

With coffee brewing, I went through my stretch routine.  I began welcoming Spirit into my heart, and then in closure thanked Spirit for being present.  I take this very seriously, very seriously.  This morning while I was closing my little session, I could not stay balanced and began to tip to one side, and then in an attempt to right my self, tipped to the other.  I laughed out loud. I realized at this point, life is not to be taken seriously all of the time.  I felt as though Divine Spirit was laughing with me, saying, "Now you've got it.  Balance your life with humor!"

Coffee cup in hand, I wandered out onto the back deck.  Although it was warm, there was a pleasant breeze.  I immediately looked for the male cardinal usually back over my shoulder singing his song.  It was odd not to find him there.  I let my eyes roam through the trees trying to find this radiantly red cardinal who greets me every morning but  I could not see him anywhere.

So I decided to sit with high awareness, to see if I could sense which tree he was in.  I could feel the presence of this bird, but could not locate his exact position.  Then he began to sing his inborn tune as I experienced joy spread into my heart.  I opened my eyes and still could not find him, but his song was loud and clear.

It occurred to me that this hide and seek game with the red cardinal was so much like my daily awareness.   Sometimes I just assume Divine Spirit is right over my shoulder and I blunder through my day.  More often, however, I can be deeply aware of Spirit's presence throughout the day, feeling joy in my heart.

I carried this joy in my heart all day and found myself slipping into  mantras just like they were my inborn tunes.  How much easier my day unfolded, with each hour filled with my silent songs.

Impossible to Anticipate

"There is nothing,

for good or for evil,

of which a person is incapable."

Jan-Phillipp Sendker

THE ART OF HEARING HEARTBEATS

As I wait for spring to unfold, I also endure this sense of suspension.  There is a lack of passion and a desire to detach.  Being still and living in nothingness, for me, is a growing intensity.  I realize all transitions take time, new situations are uncomfortable, and there is always a period of settling in; but, I find myself to be unnerved.

I realize as an energy worker, it is important for me to hold light to counter balance the darkness seemingly stepping out from everywhere.  Daily I send love, energy, and light to far away places, to states united and to not so far communities.  Rage, anger and hatred seem to be erupting, but the worst are those with the calm and cold eyes. 

I try very hard not to judge and to be forgiving, while the understanding part is the most challenging of all.  We can say whatever we want, but until we are directly in a particular position we truly do not know for sure what we would or would not do.  It is impossible to anticipate what our actions would be if in total desperation. 

I believe in a goodness inside of everyone, but we each have choice as to how we will respond, with good or with ill-intent.  I mourn the loss of the innocent, and I praise the immediate reaction of strangers.  All of us must start listening more intently and being vigilantly aware of our surroundings.  Not to be practiced out of fear, but as an effort to be more interactive with the immediate world  around us.

Never Feel Slight

 As Sri Nisargadatta writes, "As long as you imagine yourself to be something tangible and solid, a thing among things, you seem short-lived and vulnerable, and of course you will feel anxious to survive. But when you know yourself to be beyond space and time, you will be afraid no longer."

Tara Brach
Clinical Psychologist, Author, Teacher of Buddhist Mindfulness

 

Our physical bodies limit us, but our sacred awareness is limitless.  It is through prayer, meditation, contemplation and spiritual exercise we come to know ourselves beyond space and time.  Through guided imagery or dreams we perceive wisdom impossible to explain.  Even the written word some times takes upon deeper meaning than what is presented upon the page. 

We are aware of the cycles of life and the rotation of seasons.  When we watch nature closely enough we begin to acknowledge the concept of death and rebirth.  We can become "Born Again" within our physical life, but can there be life after life?  To this I readily agree.

What awaits us beyond this life is truly a mystery to me, but I do believe there is an existence.  It doesn't concern me if I will be floating around in angel garb or if I will be a cloud in the sky.  I do believe this energy I hold today in the physical will be alive forever in a spiritual realm.  My fear has been replaced by trust and faith.

It is my belief that when we leave this place in time, our energy returns to the Sacred Source.  I do believe that all creatures great and small will be welcomed in this reunion, just as all peoples will be.  My God is a loving God not tolerating discrimination of gender, race or creed.  All things created and all energy forms will never feel slight.