Feathers which have fallen at my feet…please, please look for the one's that fall at yours…for they are there….and do share them with us
Inner silence, inner stillness, inner quietness, inner peace
the rich soil of creativity, wisdom and loving kindness
the sacred doorway to eternal life
the more time you spend beneath its arches
the closer you come to crossing its threshold
This sculpture lay hidden in stone for tens of millions of years.
With blows of hammer and chisel,
its veils were shed on a dusty floor.
Our true selves are no different.
Over time we become artisans in revealing our own true selves.
Each of us is beautiful beyond belief.
Waiting for us to finish the masterpiece.
“Virgin with veil”, carved in the XIX century, by the Italian sculptor Giovanni Strazza (1818-1875)
when we are totally tied in knots with our self
we tend to have great difficulty stepping into another’s shoes
but when we can truly immerse ourselves in the life story and experiences of another
by studying them in depth
we can begin to see life from their perspective
I am currently studying the papers of a 97 year old hermit monk and priest
who was my mentor and who kept a copy of almost every letter ever written or received
who journeyed far and wide throughout the monasteries of Europe
who amassed a collection of thousands of wisdom teachings from almost every tradition
When you slip into another’s shoes you realize that they were never perfect
you realize that although they seemed enlightened and incredibly present
that they too struggled with doubt, fear, judgement of others and ego
so clearly seen in letters and sermons given by a younger self still seeking to be
And yet with meditation and reading and contemplation one witnesses a gradual transformation
A transformation brought on by a daily practice of setting intention to let go and resting in stillness
A transformation that occurred while he practiced his profession of book binding and paper restoration
Being fully engaged with the public while running a business
If anything, he taught that this journey of life, of one of letting go was for everyone and of taking periods of resting in stillness and was not just reserved for hermits, monks or intellectuals.
It was meant for the simplest among us to retreat into silence periodically, and recognize the egoic self but also to be part of the world around us while one is changing. While living in the real world one facilitates not only their own transformation but one also sows the seeds to transform others.
a movement stirred from deep within
a big fish caught in the net
allowed to slip back into the sea of love
instead
little fish of distraction are chosen and grasped
a movement stirred that arises and is withheld
it is choked
it is withdrawn
it’s withdrawal is rationalized
a love that aches to be
a love sourced in the universe of oneness
longing to be expressed in our world
a shift to the other side of the street
a refusal to an invitation
an excuse to avoid
hesitant love if you look for it
is easy to spot
for it is often laced throughout our lives
don’t be like the others
accept the wedding invitation and discount the excuses
the little fish caught in your net of awareness
learn to discern
and cast them back to the sea
when the large fish appear
recognize them
and by grasping them
they will come alive and bless your life.
Mystic Morning Blog 