What Would Jesus See?
Over the weekend there were several moments when I knew.
I participated in Martha Creek’s “Journey Within” workshop and it was amazing (to put it mildly). Emotional, intense, uplifting, opening, liberating and so much more.
The weekend consisted of one exercise after another that encouraged the other women and I who took part to really hone in on our habitual ways of thinking and being and to explore what it might be like to be free…
“Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I will meet you there.”
~Rumi
I imagine this field that Rumi refers to.
I see it as this sunny, peaceful space where flowers are always in bloom, birds sing and everyone lives in harmony.
Fully visible is what lies beneath those heavy layers of judgment, criticism, blaming, superiority, ignorance, fear and hatred that we all are blanketed by from time to time.
We can be our best selves and and can see the best in others.
But, is this field a practical possibility in everyday life?
“You’re making a mountain out of a molehill!”
You’ve probably heard this adage before, maybe from your grandmother or a great-uncle.
Recently, I found myself essentially saying the same thing to my older son. As I listened to him list off all of the huge and impossible situations in his life, I couldn’t help myself.
I told him that, from my vantage point,- things aren’t as dire as he was making them out to be.
I urged him to stop making problems when there really aren’t any.
Easy for me to say, huh?!
Are you looking for a life that sparks and sizzles in all the best ways?
Each of us has different preferences– some like things “hotter” than others– but it seems that the human condition is to want interesting and maybe even thrilling experiences and relationships.
Unfortunately, it’s common for people to mostly feel bored and listless about their daily lives. We yearn for more from life, don’t believe that we’re getting that “more” and this can lead to disappointment or even harmful and self-defeating habits.
What does your inner fire feel like to you? It’s different for us all.
There are definite sensations in the body, mind and spirit.
My inner fire feels like wide awake, energized, excited about whatever I am doing, pumped up, full of ideas, fully alive and open to possibility. It might not last too long, but those fiery moments are intense and uplifting.
The whole notion of “inner fire” might initially seem trite or cliche, but it’s absolutely essential. Think about a life of dullness, boredom, apathy, no feeling and nonexistent drive.
I don’t like to think of myself as a manipulative person. I don’t like to think about myself as driven by the desire to be rewarded for my “good” or benevolent acts.
But, when I’m really honest with myself, I can see this in there. Rarely is it conscious, yet, when I look at the range of what motivates and propels me to say and do the things I do… it’s there.
The craving for and expectation of a reward.
I didn’t plan on purchasing a brand new car at the start of this new year, but this is what has happened. I’m grateful for my well-being after a car wreck that totaled my old car and also for the ability to purchase a new car.
You may have never owned a brand new car, but perhaps you’ve ridden in one. You know that smell? It’s a sort of rubber-fabric-plastic smell that you encounter in a new car (possibly due to some hideous chemicals that, frankly, I don’t want to think about).
We’ll reach the darkest day of the year on December 22nd. The winter solstice is a turning point in the year. For those of us who live in the northern hemisphere, we experience the fewest number of hours of direct sunlight on this day, but the shift toward more light begins.
Pagans celebrate the winter solstice, called Yule, as the return of the Sun. The shift from dark to light, and all that means both symbolically and literally, is what both ancient and present day pagans celebrate.
Tis the season. Lots and lots of folks are crowding shopping malls, surfing the net and busily crafting the perfect gifts for loved ones.
There’s so much that’s wonderful about giving.
The thoughtful and creative gift that you make or buy can be one way to show others how important they are to you. The money, food, coats and gloves that you give to non-profit organizations go a long way to help those whose very survival might depend on the generosity of strangers.
Without a doubt, giving is beautiful and spreads joy and benevolence.
The look of determination and focus. The sheer will to get something done…even if it’s something that’s a huge challenge or seemingly impossible.
That is being in “The Zone.”
If you look at the face of a basketball player about to shoot a free throw, you’ll see it.
If you watch a preschooler crossing shoelaces while learning to tie a bow, you’ll see it.
If you get up close to a performer on stage who is singing, dancing, playing a guitar or another instrument, you’ll see it.
You’ll see that person (or those people) in the zone.
