Quest for Unseen Riches

 Eckhart teaches us that the full scope of life’s richness is ours to enjoy

when we learn to relate to the world from awareness

rather than only through conceptual thought.

Eckhart Tolle

Eckhart Tolle encourages us to discover the enjoyment of being and to create  appreciation for the extraordinary in the ordinary.  As we expand our awareness, taking in the larger picture around us, we can zero in on exceptional aspects within our lives.  It is in the slowing down, in taking the time and being observant that we embrace the sense of a full life.  Whether we are exploring the stars at night, a field of wheat or the backs of our hands, we will develop an insight that grows deeper than one would think possible at first glance.

When is the last time we looked at our lovely selves in a mirror?  No, not glancing, but truly pausing to deliberately take the image of ourselves seriously.  When we stand before our most favorite object whether child, framed art or a well manicured lawn, and look with new eyes, new vision, as though for the very first time, we fall in awe all over again.

Our entire lives we are asked what we think.  It is to our advantage when we learn to still the mind and relate to our life through all of the senses and beyond.  We do not have to travel to the moon to make discoveries as we are surrounded by unnoticed magic.

Life is a sacred mystery meant to be deeply experienced and enjoyed.  It is not meant to be difficult and painful all of the time.  We all have our challenges, but they can be balanced by full discovery of the goodness otherwise surrounding us. 

Stop thinking, and observe what the earth is showing to us.  Be silent and hear earth's natural song.  Taste the varying degrees of loveliness in the shade, moon light and water fall.  Feel the moisture in the grass upon bare feet or the veined structure within a leaf gently held between our fingers. 

If we are not successful in our quest for the richness of life, spend some time with a child.  The child has not yet forgotten the bountiful magic surrounding us all.  The young are still in tune with with all things seen and unseen.  Their thinking embraces all possibilities, not yet trained to think small.

Suspended and Surrounded

Those who are free of resentful thoughts

surely find peace.

Buddha

 

 

 

In preparation to be present in front of a visiting Tibetan Monk, I spent the morning being led through various spiritual exercises.  The energy in the room was building and layer by layer I was shedding the outside world.  When the Tibetan Monk arrived, he too led various spiritual exercises accompanied by chanting.  Layer by layer, I was shedding my inside world too. 

 

Forgetting place and time, I realized I was in a state of total bliss.  I was calm, peaceful, and worry free.  Thoughts had finally silenced and I was clearly rooted in peace.  I was unaware of my body and felt as though I was one many particles gently floating in the air.  I felt as though I was nothingness.

 

Eventually, I had to ground my self to shift back into reality.  This experience had been so profound, I never wanted to forget it.    I wrote about it, but words would never capture the total experience of mind, body, and spirit.  I have tried to duplicate the spiritual feelings numerous times, but I am successful only by a small percentage. 

 

I am grateful for the bits and pieces of this spiritual adventure remaining with me.  I carry them into creative visualization trying to reawaken my senses.  I am envious of the many Masters living  in a perfected state of bliss.  It seems incredible to me that there are those who live a prayerful existence every day of their lives.  It must take exceptional  discipline, focus, and the ability to constantly let go to establish such a blissful state for lengthy periods of time.

 

I can experience peaceful moments and extended time of calm, but to be mindful all day long (unless I was cloistered) seems so impossible for me.  With peace and calm, I will continue to contemplate in hopes of visiting this state once more.   Bliss ... being totally untethered from all of life ... feeling a peaceful calm ...  suspended  and surrounded by everlasting  love.