You Are Not Alone

Don’t go thinking
you’re just one leaf,
assailable and discrete.

Think rounder.

A leaf is part of the
branch is part of the
tree is part of the
soil is part of the
earth is part of the
universe.

You, too, are linked to
everything there is.
End of story.

Finding Peace

Once, renowned spiritual healer Joel Goldsmith was on an airplane which was being buffeted and rocked by a violent storm. As trays rattled and nerves tightened, Joel closed his eyes and went into silent prayer. When he opened his eyes a few moments later, the plane had become stable.

What came to him during his silence was this realization: “I am not in this plane, this plane is within me.” And by ‘me’ he meant the vast, wordless I AM which resides in every breathing soul.

If, like Joel, we can remember that every material appearance in front of us, every incident, every occurrence is a passing appearance within the great I AM which is our very own lifespring, then perhaps we can ride more easily along the endlessly changing river of life.

Riding more easily doesn’t mean we cease to have feelings about whatever occurs; it simply means we have a secure compass point to guide us back to our center of Peace.

And here’s the thing.

Peace trumps choppy waters, every time.

Freedom

I try to imagine the most beautiful thing in the world, and it’s we. It’s we without fear painted over our eyes.

It’s we without the imaginary hard lines between us.

It’s we letting the wind blow us this way and that way, not resisting, just resting on its currents.

Things don’t look we very often, but that’s ok. I carry we in my heart.

The Double Rainbow

The soft sounds of “Over the Rainbow” accompanied mourners as they filed slowly out of Tim Russert’s moving memorial last week. Emerging outside, they were stopped, stunned – by the inexplicable vision of a double rainbow splayed out across the Washington sky.

For those of us who are accepting of the subtle and overt symbols of God’s Hand, this kind of occurrence is not a surprise. For others, it may appear simply mysterious; an event to be remembered but not fathomed.

Either way, for me it was another one of those times when tears come to my eyes over the evidence of Divine Presence in our lives.

This double rainbow arose from Love, without which there would be no Tim Russerts, no rainbows, no smiles, no tears, no tenderness, no storms, no healings, no life whatsoever.

To the rainbow: thanks for letting us know Tim is OK.

Hello, Tim

Yesterday Tim Russert was suddenly promoted to the next plane. And, wow, are we going to miss him.

Tim came to visit me –and millions more- each Sunday morning, bringing his gift of trenchant, intuitive and always fair probings into political consciousness. Rain or shine, he radiated authenticity, which is why we all accorded him our deepest trust. In a world rampant with personal agendas and tilted views, Tim was one of the rare beings who had acquired a doctorate in sanity.

I grieve our loss. Yet I take his moving on as a signal that now the challenge is ours. We, too, can emulate the grace, faith and sanity he came here to demonstrate.

The Sound of Sacred

This morning I did a meditation while listening to a recording by Tibetan monks. They are chanting the word OM, but that simple statement in no way describes what these monks are creating. What they produce is a multi-level, multi-hued, multi-toned symphony using only the word OM as their instrument.

What entered my ears and reverberated through my soul was the sound of life itself; an intimation of all beginnings and all endings. I felt I was listening to the truest sound I will ever hear.

Someone once told me that these monks dedicate their entire life to learning how to sing the word OM in multiple chords simultaneously. When I hear the results of their training, I know exactly why they spent so many years learning this high art. They are chanting Godspeak.

Normally our view of life comes from being perched atop a handful of strands in the great carpet of human life. Listening to the sounds of these monks takes me further: it is like sitting in the lap of the Weaver.

The Magic of Healing

Here in this amazing universe we all share there appears to be a broken ankle, and it is mine.

Sometimes there is pain present, and sometimes not. What is stunning to watch is how the human body mysteriously sends interior soldiers to heal itself; I can see their footsteps by way of a rainbow of vivid colors (blue, purple, ocher, yellow and plum.) They are painted across the skin around the fracture.

I am told there will be a period of weeks before the fracture has knitted itself together again. My assignment is to apply patience and commission myself to watch the sweet flower of order emerge bit by bit out of temporary chaos. I love watching order restore itself; it carries the scent of authority.

Another thing: I notice that people –both friends and strangers- are behaving with exceptional kindness towards me during this ankle adventure. God’s great Heart pops up everywhere.

Once again, I am carried by grace. Funny, isn’t it? Whatever the circumstance, whatever the event, whatever the experience: He is with me always. And you.