So many shoulds, woulds and coulds exist, we often times forget that all we need to water our self is pure awareness. Shoulds are all around us as formulas and logic that must be followed for the best possible outcome. Woulds weigh upon our hearts and souls as disbelief that something can’t be as good as it is. Coulds tell us that we don’t possess the power to choose and create our own reality.
Sometimes we even trick ourselves so well that we assign positive tasks to justify the shoulds, woulds and coulds. “If I think positively, life will get better and then I will be able to do what I want.” So where is the door that the confusion cloud of shoulds, woulds and coulds enter our space? It is in the uncertainty that exists between the if and then. It is in our lack of awareness that a pure presence which is senior to any thought form exists.
Just like real veggies in the supermarket the pure awareness of our soul silently waits for a space for it to feed, but often goes unnoticed because it doesn’t wear any flashy labels*. Our soul asks for nothing in return. It is merely there if we choose to notice it. There is no right or wrong way to cultivate the awareness of your soul, for it exists outside the realm of shoulds, woulds and coulds. I notice that I feel it when I smile, when I breathe and when I relax into trust and gravity. For me, knowing my soul is feeling peaceful and watering my soul by knowing it is living.
*Michael Pollan makes this point about vegetables in his book In Defense of Food.
Nature is Growth
From the floods in Pakistan to Boulder County’s largest fire in 50 years, something is giving us humans a giant flag here on Earth. Call that something the wisdom of the Earth or knowingness of the Cosmos, this flag claims no responsibility of warning or heed of victory. Natural disasters merely serve as neutral catalysts for spiritual cleansing and growth.
Photo By Drew Levin
Over time man has learned to harness fire as a tool to keep warm when it’s cold, but for much longer nature has unabashedly let fire run wild to burn away old growth. Burning away old growth is necessary in order for new growth to sprout forth. So what happens when the man-made meets the nature made? As material possessions are lost, spiritual truths have no choice but to sprout forth. There is nowhere to take solace except in heart’s gratitude for life.
Whether you are near the fire or not, it can be used as a meditation to go inside. See that fire spark in your heart center, burning away any resistance to change and old attachments no longer serving you. As the flames grow, they ignite passion for life and gratitude. Rest in the warmth inside as your breath gently feeds your own personal flame.
Photo via Boston.com
As for water, man has learned to make use of it’s ability to cleanse, whereas nature has used it to survive and thrive. Water doesn’t distinguish whether something needs cleaning or is thirsty, but, either way, it has a steady way of getting all it touches wet. When it comes in massive amounts, there is no escaping it. In times of flood, most material possessions tend to sink, but most humans have the ability to surrender, breathe and float or swim. Floods are also like emotions, and emotions are a cleanse for the human spirit. The longer emotions are suppressed, the more fervor with which they swell and release, and once the releasing begins there’s no turning back.
For a meditation in this instance, it is very emotionally healing to see any suppressed emotions being carried away by a flood. Any unwanted emotions simply sink to the bottom and surrendering to the natural flow washes any excess away. It is relaxing and refreshing to float with no attachments. Notice any emotions arising for the next few hours, days, weeks and allow them to release through expression.
Though pain and fear arise in times of extreme natural events, there is a beauty which exists in the wisdom of nature and the strength of the human spirit. It is felt and seen by those involved as well as those witnessing through the media. Whether near or far, we can all learn from world events by releasing what feels sticky within ourselves and surrendering to the flow of nature.