Spring Everywhere

They say that when one flower opens, 

many open at the same time, 

and it’s spring everywhere.

—Jonathan Cott

See What Is

Spending time with my mother who was recently diagnosed with cerebral atrophy is an enlightening experience. It is an honour to be with anyone who is in such a vulnerable state. My father is having a terrible time, as well.  He suffers from debilitating back and leg pain (not to mention emotional trauma over watching his beloved partner of 60 years fade away). I have gained much from their candour and disclosure of present challenges.  Most importantly, my mother’s condition reminds me that we are not our physical bodies, which includes our minds and even our personalities… If we are not who we think we are, who are we? Or rather, what are we? The energy of the mind and the dream of this world have enormous momentum that feels almost impossible to be free of. There is something beyond our confusion though. Imagine if we were always aligned with divine truth. “See what is,” Alan Watts instructs. It’s so simple, right?

This photo of Dad and Mom is bitter-sweet. I wanted to capture them in a flattering light. In truth, however, they smile infrequently now. Many tears of sorrow and frustration have been shed. I think of my mother as being in a type of cocoon. When she emerges at last—glittery and glorious—her smile will be genuine and bright! It is heartbreaking to witness someone you love suffering dreadfully. Yet, all too often, this is exactly what we are expected to do.

I am deeply grateful to both my parents for their love, courage, and hard work. They have given much—not only to support their large family, but to the community through many years of volunteer work. Perhaps the closest thing that conveys what we truly are is touchingly expressed in the children’s book The Giving Tree—to give altruistically until we are physically no more. For now, our gentleness and generosity toward each other, and all living things, is vital.  In fact, it may be all that truly matters.

Awaken

“Your vision will become clear only

when you look into your heart.

Who looks outside, dreams.

Who looks inside, awakens.”

~ Carl Jung

Magic Everywhere

I was able to open the window last night to let the song of the crickets help me drift off to sleep. All August I have enjoyed this evening music. Cool nights in September forced me to close my bedroom window and the silence was disquieting with only my thoughts (that seem so loud!) to listen to. Last night was warmer though and I am grateful. My heart feels open this time of year. Beauty has a way of doing that. It can move you, if you let it.

Everyone around me seems to be spinning off in exciting new directions. I’m watching it all unfold. I wonder what my purpose is. Observing the mind and whatever emotions come up has become a daily practice. I’ve also taken an interest in energy work like Qi flow yoga. Daily, I send out loving energy to loved ones—especially those that I am not in physical contact with. Can they feel it? I sincerely hope so.

Observing the mind has shown me how little original content there actually is, which is unsettling. According to the masters, when the chatter wanes, inspiration will have space to emerge. Even with my dedication to the process of spiritually awakening, my mind is still confoundedly active! Perhaps I’m still hanging on to things that I’m unable to surrender to.

Anyway, a couple of songs were in my mind when I was waking up this morning, which I’ve come to trust, foolishly or not, as guidance from the ethereal realm. Both songs are from a mix that I first heard over a year ago. I’m currently listening to more music by these same artists on Grooveshark. Wonderful stuff! Enchanting music as summer fades out and autumn’s brilliance captivates us. ~

Bonus track:

I'm Still Learning

So I’ve been pondering my desire to get away from it all. My yearning to live on a remote beach has reached a fever pitch. I talk about it to anyone that will listen. My sister-in-law and I send images of Kauai and New Zealand to each other in enthusiastic e-mail messages. Images of pristine beaches and breath-taking ocean views with not a living soul in sight.

Photo: Graeme Huntr

After walking the shore of a local (lake) beach recently, I was overwhelmed by the crowds and the amount of carelessly discarded garbage—plastic bags, water bottles, coffee cup lids. I wondered, would it be different anywhere else?

What I think it boils down to is resistance to the way things are. Many of us find ourselves in an environment of strip malls, dollar stores, Tim Hortons, and Starbucks. It’s a sea of ugliness. Ranting about it and loathing it is futile though and it only brings negativity to our lives and to those we interact with. We are not at peace.

Sometimes things have to get really bad before they get better. Maybe things are exactly as they need to be for us to wake up spiritually. To remember who and what we truly are. To feel without ceasing the life energy that animates and interconnects us with every living thing on this planet and beyond.

Although it’s true that we can’t get rid of our thoughts/feelings, we can observe them with compassion. Our thoughts and feelings are not who we are. They are like any other function our amazing bodies perform. Just as the lungs breathe and the heart beats, the brain thinks and we feel things according to how we interpret those thoughts. Is this reality? Or are we each creating a world in our own minds?

Perhaps for the first time in my life, my desire to see through this collective illusion is stronger than my despair over the destruction of our planet. With a hopeful heart, I seek the Truth of our existence beyond conventional reason.