Images In The Dark

"Like a photographer of the invisible, I have spent my life

trying to develop images in the dark room of my heart."

Mark Nepo

Sit in your heart center without any outside distractions. Breathe easily and try your best to relax. Begin to notice the sensations pulsing in your body.  Go slowly, bringing awareness to each hidden part. Patiently wait for your body to reveal what is being trapped inside. An image might surface or a gently whispered insight shared.

You are the light that travels within to explore the darkness. The goal is to face what is disguised as a physical ailment and resolve that which disrupts. Exactly what is it that is causing mental fatigue? Loosen the tightly knit threads to acknowledge that which bothers the soul.

When the heart feels heavy, do not just bear it. Do not just put on a brave face and muddle through. There is a lesson needing to be learned and the longer you ignore it, the greater it shall grow. Discover what is lodged in your heart and decide what needs to go. Be the light to cast out the shadows of restraint and fear.

See It!

 

"If we let go, time carries us the way a river

carries a boat with no oars."

Mark Nepo

Often, we find our lovely selves adrift triggering deep senses of uncertainty.  We cannot see beyond the bend in the road and may even feel powerless in the life we lead.  Fear and doubt cloud our vision and unsuspecting opportunities silently slip by.

If we can stay in the moment without dipping into darkness, we can use clear vision to determine what we need to develop for the life we long to live.  While imagining a desired outcome, engage friends to implement the dream.

Focus thoughts upon a positive outcome.  "See it" vividly unfolding, providing expansion, enhancement, and purpose.  Allow positive thoughts to support, activate, and claim whatever the Universe provides.

Dreams and Darkness

"Dreams are candles to help us through the dark."

Mark Nepo

Dreams are quite compelling if we pause to hear or see the message they bring.  Unfortunately, our culture invests more time on what to eat for dinner, than upon untangling a dream.  Dreams reflect aspects of our hopes, desires, and underlying fears.

If we choose to observe the world unfolding around us or simply notice day dreams, information will surface which can be applied as guidance.  When we open our lovely selves to deeper meaning, we can have clarity even in the depths of darkness.

When we find ourselves in darkness, and understand it is an opportunity for enhancement, our light will shine brighter.  Gathered information we have taken time to notice will assist us in creating both peace and harmony.  Darkness exists so we can experience the strength of our light while we ignite the flame. 

"Wrong View"

"... we distort, limit or rationalize things away

from what they truly are, we start to 

experience 'spiritual disease.'"

Mark Nepo

In some Eastern cultures, such as Buddhism and Hinduism, mental illness means "wrong view".  So clarity in life depends upon how well we connect with the heart of life.  Challenges need to be addressed as this is the way we learn.

Our "wrong view" will lead us farther away from reality.  Our perceptions will be tinted by false reasoning.  We cannot help but stray, however, when we remain spiritually connected, distortions can be less dramatic and restored.

The key for positive forward movement is maintaining our awareness of spiritual presence in all aspects of our lives.  When consistently refreshed, we are stronger in our path to compassion and kindness.  Positive actions and reactions will become more automatic than defaulting to negative interpretation.

 

Travel Alone, No More

 

"As you exhale, try to relax your resistance to the unexpected.

As you inhale, try to make a passageway for everything larger than you."

Mark Nepo

Throughout life, we may have been fear based which has done nothing but prevent the full spectrum of living.  Fear keeps us small, and we do our best to minimize being discovered.  The last thing on the agenda is exposure.

Fear is a darkness curtailing growth as well as human touch.  Instead of being drawn creatively to the light, we cower in cloak of distrust.  Like attracts like, so life experience is stunted reenforcing false theories of being unworthy.

Trust when a small beacon of light shows itself.  Muster strength to reach through this undocumented fear and feel a spark of a different way of living.  Gather curiosity as a crutch to move forward into the arena of possibilities.  Angels mingle with opportunities, spiritual guides hold a master plan, and God becomes a veil of shelter.  It will still storm and thunder, but no one will be traveling alone ... not any more.

Either a Splinter or a Sliver

"Even if one glimpses God, there are cuts and

splinters and burns along the way."

Mark Nepo

If we happen to get a large splinter in our hand or leg or foot, we usually attend to it in a timely matter.  If we get a smaller sliver, we may put off removing it until later. So, the small sliver, just might cause us more discomfort or infection.

The same is comparatively true of our response to problems.  If a challenge is huge, it may get our immediate attention; whereas, if the obstacle is a mere inconvenience we may down play it.  In the end, the small sliver may cause us more concern if our response is lapse.

Whether seen or unseen, a splinter or a sliver will interrupt our life.  We will  be held accountable for our actions in responding.  Through our choices, we either invest into situations or avoid challenge, resulting in consequences.    We help shape our lives by embracing appropriate action.