Unfocus

“People were created to be loved, things were created to be used. The reason why the world is in chaos is because things are being loved, and people are being used.” ~Unknown

I came upon this quote today randomly, and with it I find myself in a sphere of polarity. We all should be so aware to recognize this. Polarity is a construct, as two ends of a complete whole; two compliments set apart, but only by the mind. The whole is what is real, the sphere is solid, continuous and stands in completion. The polarity is seen when we break the sphere, fragmenting a singularity for our own simple minds to understand.

One part of the Tao is hard, the other is soft. This is a whole, two complements completing each other. The sphere is the same. Only when viewed completely, both from within and from outside can we see all compliments dancing in unison with the other. These cannot be fragmented. They remain together, as one. This world is full of fragmentation, full of parts, pieces and pieces of parts. We must put our world back together to live in harmony with the whole; the singularity of life.

I meet people often who have little understanding of anything that does not directly affect their own life. They see value in things, and concentrate on how to gain things, and plot to acquire things, and hardly ever do they consider giving things. Value has been misplaced. Polarity has been flipped, and the whole has become a mess of parts. Which part is valuable? Alone, no value exists. This exists only in the whole. The whole is the value.

As we meander about in life, oblivious to what others feel, only focused on the self, and of things to be gained, we miss out on the life given to us. We can all survive without religion, philosophy, material possessions and mirrors. But we cannot live without love, wholeness and compassion for one another.

I personally don’t believe that the world is in chaos.. But I do believe that many people dwell within chaos, and have lost the path to seek order within; losing sight of the whole and concentrating only on the parts. It is now that we must unfocus. Train the eyes to see the beauty of the whole, the parts alone are only fragments of a perfection that all can witness.

Within the sphere of polarity, we also find the perfect sphere; the divine consciousness of life giving breath. We must meet in the spaces between seconds to realize our wholeness; at the place where time is space, and where we are all perfectly embraced.

Namaste

Float, Crawl or Climb

“When a great moment knocks on the door of your life, it is often no louder than the beating of your heart, and it is very easy to miss it. ” ~ Boris Pasternak

Entered we are into the sphere of opportunity. She is that which floats and spirals in unison with paradox and reality. The mind cannot grasp the essence of the knock, but only when the ears hear its sound, and when the eyes glimmer in the light of the spoils to be gained. We forget that the heart knows this place, and sees nothing of spoils. We are born here in this sphere, it is ever changing and lucid of our existence, only we are mute to the sound until awakened by it.

Opportunities are abound in our lives. We see them only as they pass at times. Some are fortunate enough to seize them, others are blind to them, few land happily upon them by pure synchronicity. These are the workings of subtle energies, alive within and around all life. Even the seed that floats or falls far from the tree has the potential to grow into a life giving organism. We too are seeds, following a path brought on by the wind at times, riding a stream of air without direction, though landing where we always need to be even if we cannot understand it at the time.

Other times we do not float, we walk. We choose our path, we take turns, we round corners, we climb up and we fall down. But we must always remember that the path is always intertwined with the aimless breeze. Though we make decisions, decisions are made for us as well in some mystifying way, perfect in the time given, but this perfection is often unrealized in our senses. What seems horrible will seem horrible, and out of our control, but then this situation as horrid as it appears on the surface also brings new life; new beginnings and new opportunity

Seize hard on the sphere of opportunity. All situations have this spiraling siren as a companion just waiting to be heard. See the potential for what truth can be witnessed. Do this within the heart. Close the eyes and listen to the perfection of every moment unfolding in unison. As life connects us to life, so does the opportunity to live life.

Once we understand that all situations, thoughts, ideas and choices bring with them a myriad of opportunity, it is then up to us to decide where we float, or where we walk. Choose to do both, and choose to live. Then look back and see the footprints of life without regret.

Namaste

Companions

“We feel and know that we are eternal.” ~ Baruch Spinoza

I’ve always been fascinated by the notions of destiny, fate, cycles of life and possible past or future incarnations. These thoughts can be perplexing, even paradoxical when given full attention. Understanding or exploring these concepts brings us into a sphere we all visit from time to time. I refer to it as the sphere of the familiar; the place that you absolutely know that you’ve been to before despite seeing it for the first time. This is a sphere at the intersection of the infinite.

We’re all familiar with the symbol of infinity; the figure 8 that represents a continuous path that runs on forever. This symbol, this path, has one interesting feature. It intersects at the center and always loops back towards it. Correspondingly it also loops away from this intersection. To me, this symbol doesn’t just represent a concept of “foreverness,” but instead a variation of subtle but eclectic meanings.

This symbol represents a path of continuous experience, in life, in birth, in death and in ether; in spirit. It represents a road not simply traveled by the individual, but also represents those who share its way. It represents those we travel with, those we’ve met in another time, another sphere. This path we travel is not a lonely place. It is full of companions alive in both present, past and future.

We all know the feeling when we’re sure we’ve seen, felt or heard something before. Just the same we all know the feeling of being in a particular place and having it feel like home. But this feeling may not be just our personal experience alone. It is quite possible that we once shared this place with another partner; a soul companion that travels with us throughout time, beyond space, above the stars and without fail.

I once stood in a place that gave me a sense of peace and comfort that was so powerful words cannot describe its full beauty. The wind filled my ears with a silence that was profound and distinct; a silence so loud that it became almost deafening. This wordless wind surrounded me with a brilliant connection to the infinite as I stood upon the intersection of life. This place I stood alone, yet I know now that I was not alone. This place was shared with another, perhaps not then physically, but maybe in another time not yet upon us, or one long ago in the past. Perhaps at this intersection my companion was there, though not visible; with me in pure spirit. This is where my heart opened, and my path before me was clear.

If these notions are even plausible, whether one believes them to be true or not matters little. We all have our own interpretations of life’s mysterious happenings. Regardless, these are feelings of the heart, a place that knows the truth of things that the mind cannot possibly comprehend. This is where feeling is born and where knowledge of the infinite dwells; this is where we see our soul and where we meet our companions.

When you visit the sphere of the familiar, stop and listen to the silence about you. Hear the heartbeat of life; the natural ebb and flow that lives within and around you. Realize and embrace the intersection of infinity when you stand upon its crossroads. Then, at that special moment, perhaps if you look past your shoulder; looking beyond yourself, you’ll see another familiar face smiling back at you.

A Sage of Spheres

“The Sage falls asleep not because he ought to, nor even because he wants to, but because he is sleepy.” ~Raymond M. Smullyan

We live in a busy world, with busy people using busy things. Sometimes in all of this “business of busyness” we forget to stop and remember where our feet are even planted, and where life has taken our feet.

Some find life to be a chore; a mundane routine of waking, eating, working and sleeping. From this perspective many can understand the toil that many people endure. Within this repetitive cycle we find vices and distractions, those things which keep the sanity in an otherwise fruitless endeavor of life. We make weekend plans, take vacations, start relationships, form addictions and take yoga classes. We distract from the life we live, then we die having never truly embraced its essence.

The sphere of spheres is everything, containing not just the parts we like, but the parts we dislike, the parts that scare us, and the parts that we love as well. It is whole, but has no wholeness to it. It is above comprehension, not visible but blurred, yet within it is vision; within it are forms within forms. Some call it God, some call it divine consciousness, some call it Nature.. Some call it Tao.

I recall a time in life when nothing made any sense, when my greatest concerns were who I was going to see at the weekend party or how I would pay for the gas to get there. My days were blurred together with work, school, empty beer bottles and a broken wallet. It seemed as though that life would never change, nor did I concern myself with a desire to make it change. But, as all things do, change did happen. I woke up from my dream, and looked at life through no filter. I was mad at what I saw and saddened for the time wasted.

During this time, the lure of the open road called me as it often does still, and I set out on a journey. Along this journey I found that as the landscape changed around me as I traveled, I began to change as well. I recognized that the change was constant, yet not visible. Perhaps “changing” is the wrong word. Flowing instead.. Life was flowing all around me and I was in the middle of it, riding its wave, letting its energy push me forward. This is where my path began, and my direction then became clear.

All paths are different. No other can walk a path for us. Just as the days are unique to us all, so to is the path. This being said, the days ahead are filled with lessons to learn, mistakes to make and promises to keep. They are full of life, just as in this moment you are indeed alive. The past is gone, but its lessons are kept alive on the board. Just ask the sage…

The sage will smile at his life at every moment, for he knows that he needs not to affirm that he is alive; he needs not regret of the past nor worry for the future. He sees this moment as all that exists within all of existence. He is bonded to the sphere of spheres in a continuous evolution of one perfect singularity; one perfect moment that continues to flow. This moment is the only place he’s ever been, and he feels this with his mind, body and soul.

When the grind of life, the ratrace, the vicious cycle of daily monotony begins to take its toll, simply remember that we are not here for punishment, this is not a prison sentence, and we certainly are not meant to toil in the mud. We are spiritual beings simply traveling home, and making sense of it all is not what’s important, but living life is truly what matters.

Life moves and we must move with it, but never distract yourself from one part or another. Embrace this completely and love it now, in this perfect moment.

The Hill

“Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.” ~ Lao Tzu

For many years I have labored to find subtle ways of self-expression, always taking a path less traveled; one with no footprints to follow. In doing so I’ve found that this logic requires one to enjoy being alone, to become a companion to the shadows of life and a friend to the mysterious. In small groups I am loud, in larger congregations I am mute. This is my sphere.

I enjoy the subtle things. I have a romantic understanding of life. I see the surface and call it beautiful, I see the parts under the surface and call them the same. I love the hidden treasures I find in life, as boring or commonplace as others might view them. When I learn a new word I am delighted, even though others may think me strange for even caring. I contemplate the understandable, but more I contemplate that which rests beyond the boundary of human understanding.

As I sit and ponder these various nuances of life, as tangible or intangible as they might be.. and I do this daily.. I often wonder about the days of Homer, Plato, Lao Tzu and many other great minds. As I drift deep into my thoughts, I picture an image of a man, perhaps wearing some sort of robe while holding a shepherd’s staff standing atop a hill. He is looking out over a vast expanse of empty yet flowing countryside with wildflowers peppering the landscape in clusters of blue, white and yellow. Green meadows wave under his feet, and the land opens up to reveal rolling hills high above a small river. Mountains are visible, though far off in the distance they look only an hour’s walk away. This land is unknown, untouched by discovery, unspoiled by humanity. Much knowledge it holds, this land with no footprints, and the man on the hill smiles with serenity, as he knows life is truly beautiful if you only view it so.

The man isn’t old, but isn’t young either. He stands tall, with a beard and a furrowed brow caused by the sun. He stands with a pensive gaze, yet a grin is visible. He is proud, confident and intrepid. His feet are rough from walking a long path, and his hands are calloused from hard work. He is conscious of his world, connected to it by breath, spirit and mind. In his eyes he knows the land already, but has yet to step a foot onto it. He respects the land, and cares for his flock behind him.

I long to be this man standing atop that hill in a time long ago when many unknowns existed to be found, without the continuous tone of the wristwatch telling me I have somewhere to be or something to do, and without the daily news letting me know all the horrors of the world before I’ve finished breakfast. I would love to not be able to Google everything, and instead seek out the answers for myself even if it may take years. I would love to not be surrounded by gadgets that only last a year before they’re broken or rendered obsolete. I would love to not walk through a store surrounded by bells, whistles and by people who genuinely have no clue what their reflections truly look like or where their thoughts originate. I would love to not have the world at my fingertips, with keyboards and buttons controlling every desire, want and wish. I would love to be smarter than my phone. I would love to not be so “connected.” I would simply love to be connected to the real world, with my bare feet upon the Earth and the wind whispering in my ear.

I probably sound like I’m venting, though I’m really not. I have learned to find peace within chaos through recognizing the simple, and admiring the complicated. And, despite what I may think, feel or understand, life unfolds differently to us all. We’re never sharing the same experience. In fact, what the spectacular view from the hilltop might be to me, may be totally boring to another person taking in the same view.

In many ways I am the man in my vision looking over a land that has potential, realizing what is good, and what is not good; understanding that at any time it will change and it will all be different, understanding more that the change is happening this very second and will always be so. But am I really looking at the land? No.. I’m looking at life, this life, and my reflection upon its waters.

In my sphere many things happen. I dream, I think, I wish and I smile. Just as well I cry, I hurt and I walk alone often; although knowing that I’m never truly alone. All in all, in attempting to understand the unknowable I find peace. When I embrace this completely then I become myself. And as I open my heavy eyes to my own reflection; to my own soul.. I then become the sphere. Everyday, even in this busy age… I am the man standing on the hill smiling.

In many regards we are all shepherds, looking out over the world. We tend to our own lives mostly but we also must remember that our flock, as large or as small as it may appear, represents the entire world of life. The flock is everything; friends, family, coworkers, and yes, even those people you pass by on the street without a word being said. The flock is you, your past, your thoughts and even your plans for the future. And, each day, how we choose to live whether good or bad becomes our world; our reality, our flock. And, where we lead, how we choose to exist our flock will also follow.. or become lost in the unknown.

Discover yourself and embrace who you truly are, but always tend to your flock; always tend to your world. We cannot exist without each other.

Earthsmell

“The earth has music for those who listen.” ~ George Santayana

Wind does something. It holds a message. Whether sweeping up from the Earth or spiraling down from the cloud it always brings with it the truth; the raw essence of life contained in one continuous breath of creation. You know this smell.. this essence. We all know it, yet we forget it in such a commonplace fashion as if it never was. In a sphere of this moment, a sphere of now, we forget the wind but remember it forever.

It is about to rain. The wind picks up slightly, then.. you smell the Earth. This Earthsmell riding on cool wind announcing the coming rain. We all know this. But, is it just some random happening easily explained by the minds of science? Or is the Earth breathing, alive, welcoming the water from the heavens? Perhaps so.. I think so.

These subtle nuances of life go unnoticed often. They are disregarded as simple things that are expected to happen. Never thought through, never examined thoroughly enough to gain perspective of what is really at the surface and never given the afterthought of how this affects the mind, the body or the soul.

The natural world gives hints and hidden gestures, all the while being brushed off.. chalked up to normal occurrences. Normal? Of course they are.. but no they are not just that entirely. These are the happenings of life; the heartbeat of the divine as manifested in everything we experience in reality. Only the right mind in the right moment can see this, appreciate this glow of pure being; pure truth.

These signs are all around.. in life, in love, in personal office space, on your commute to work, even while you walk toward the door of your home. They are pronounced harbingers of what is happening now, in this moment, for you and everyone else. Recognize them for the insight they give and for the simple truths that they bring. Ignore them no more and you will see the difference.

In the sphere of here, of now, of this moment we must understand that the smell of Earth riding on wind is present in so many forms. It warns us, alerts us, gives us peace, consoles us, moves us and shapes our decisions. It is our divine key. Find this… and find yourself.

Circles in Review

“Nature puts no question and answers none which we mortals ask. She has long ago taken her resolution.” ~ Henry David Thoreau

So many “year end reviews” exist that it’s hard to write a simple post such as this. Personally, I feel that viewing the events of the year are a bit of a toil, reliving the highs and lows in such an unattached fashion. To me, this diminishes the experience of our time. So I offer this perspective instead.. Here in this sphere I’ll simply call, the circle.

I have a bit of a proclivity that most of my close friends understand. I’m born of a nomad’s heart, a true gypsy soul; a thinker, a wanderer, a lover of life. Spontaneous, reserved though energized; shy, yet not timid. Loud with silence, smart with words, but aloof at trends or popular items. I’m an artist, the keeper of an elder soul. This to me is a precious burden, because I’m far too young to feel or think this old. My years began this way, though I was unaware. This gives light to my passions, one being writing.

I write what I feel, because life is feeling. Living each day should be sacred to everyone, this is why I word my thoughts with emotion and heartfelt intention. I feel that maybe somewhere, someone will feel the spark of life in my words.. be inspired, be lifted up, or just crack a smile for only a second. This, to me, is payment for my passion. I understood this more during the past year than anything else.

Through all the worry, struggle, dark mornings and sleepless nights there were many more eye-lit smiles in my year than there were tearful frowns. Lessons were given, some ignored, but many learned. These things happen everyday, not just every year. But, what is a year? Why a year? Our understanding of this man-created cycle is simple. January begins our fiscal generation, December ends our yearlong want for celebration. We raise our cups for the year’s end, as well as the new beginning. We make resolutions, eat superstitious meals, make promises and hope for fortune and good health. This is all fine and good. But looking back only partially, in a segmented light, is not part of being resolute.

I say that instead of looking back on the year, look back on your entire life. Understand why you are who you are, why you live the way you do, and what compels you to push forward. What are these things that bring you life, entertain your passions and score your smiles? Find these things everyday, then reflect at the year’s end. Be alive with your journey, walk alongside your soul and breathe the fabric of life. Life is a circle, the moments you make are forever intwined, stringing along with you until you depart.

Just a year in review? Make it a life in living, nod your head and acknowledge the moments that inspire your heart, and give thanks to the lessons you’ve learned. Live wisely in the present and smile while you walk.

The year is not over, the great year is very much alive; a continuous circle of experience that will keep you, move you and propel you forward. Our year, our circle, is our home. This is where we dwell, where we feel and where we understand that life is never about looking back, but instead, being here; being one with the life we live. Wake up, come alive and view this truth. Because the view is simply breathtaking.

Namaste and Happy New Year

2012… ?

Shifting, returning, completing, becoming, harmonizing, beginning… or ending? These few words come to mind when I think of a certain subject that originally caught my attention almost 15 years ago. And, especially fitting for the timeframe, I still have  a few thoughts concerning the sphere of cycles.

A cycle is a period of time where something begins and ends… a completion, right? Well, for me this is not entirely accurate. A cycle is a return to a beginning point, essentially. In this form of thought we find that the end could possibly be the beginning, and the beginning could possibly be the end. No matter how you look at it, today we come closer to the end, or beginning, of a grand cycle… a long awaited galactic expedition spanning thousands of years.

With this being said… I’ve received a great deal of questions asking my opinion on December 21st of this year. So, since I do have a few thoughts on the matter I’d like to share these here.. in the sphere of cycles.

Media hype, rumors and poorly passed information have spun the workings of the Mayans out of control. This has literally caused many people to fear these few coming weeks as the end of life as we know it. Some fear the end is truly at hand… So, is it at hand now? Or is it always at hand, every second of every day.. This is a matter of perspective.  But, remember.. If you live under a gloomy shadow, you eventually become dark and will fade out of the light.

In my opinion, these great ancient civilizations obviously had a reason to formulate their calendars and orders around celestial movements. For whatever reason we may never know. But, one thing is clear, the Mayans weren’t the only people to understand that this date was significant. Several other cultures had the same idea… Perhaps being in tune with your surroundings and with nature has it’s merit… This I’ve always believed.

No matter what comes to pass, we are returning the cycle, turning the wheel, completing the round, passing the torch, beginning a new age… but can we harmonize with whatever change may come, if any? This is the real question.. Not what will happen, or how or why.

What will pass will pass.. I prefer to live in good grace and understand that cycles are a part of the natural world… and always have been. None of us can slow the Earth down, nor stop the sun from rising on the center of the ecliptic come December 21st.. This is a motion set into “motion” ages beyond what we can possibly fathom..

Within the sphere of cycles we should fear not, but be of good spirit instead. I, for one, am lucky to be a part of such a majestic return. And if I disappear on the 22nd, so be it… I go with peace in my heart, and so should we all.

Namaste

Love of the Game

What is competition? I’ve often pondered this sphere.. We see this in all cultures spanning both time and geography; the need for the race, the ball game or attaining the blue ribbon. We also see the wide-eyed spectator, just writhing to see his team take the gold, or score the winning point. There is a real lure to be the alpha, to be crowned the victor or to be the best. Our games mirror the sphere of competition.. but look deeply here.. For what we cheer for today, we surely spilled blood for yesterday.

Competition for food, water, land and mates is natural in the world. This was a very real and naturally accepted part of our ancient ancestors culture. Without prowess, guile or strength, a man would go without and surely die, as would his family. Competition has allowed for survival, adaptation and evolution.

Today, we have no real competition while shopping the aisles of the supermarket, or while browsing the real estate pages, water runs from a faucet and we need not beat our chest to find a mate.. But what has this shift done to social groups? Has it numbed the mind to natural law, to simplicity? To basic necessity? So that we only compete in regulation sports? Regulation debate? Job searches?

In first-world society, far removed from the raw truth of the natural world, we glide through life with ease, with little to no competition. Sadly, this is the ideology that our culture has progressed toward.. however, the basic competition that we once knew as ancient people is still waiting at the door. If society as we know it should decay or crumble, that basic competition for livelihood will be thrust back into the forefront for all people. Many would not be ready, nor know what to do.. This daily struggle for food, water, shelter.. the very basic necessities of all life, would once again become a permanent battle. In the pampered west, we know little of this empty-bellied pain, but millions of people around the globe still live this desperate reality.. every second of every day.

As we view the sphere of competition, note that this is part of the evolution of humanity, culture and life. We compete for fun in the greater part of today’s world.. no longer for necessity.. Perhaps this is the evolution of humanity.. the beginning phase on a move from competition to cooperation. But, would this perhaps stir a paradigm shift of social ideology? Instead of an “every man for himself” mentality, perhaps we could usher in a “all or nothing” mentality.

While you watch your favorite team today, whether winning or losing, remember that these games are nothing more than the new face of an old, but necessary part of life. Whistles and cheers from the stadium showcase the once crude reality of basic survival in an unforgiving yet beautiful world. These games show how far we’ve come in our ability to adapt and survive. They show our ingenuity and our ability to shape the world to fit our needs.

Though war is still waging abroad, and communities fight in many corners of the globe.. The days of competitive survival are dwindling quickly. Despite the wars being fueled by some political innuendo that we need not discuss, for the most part, we no longer wage battles for survival, instead, we battle now for cheers and trophies.

I would like to envision a world of cooperation.. Not one of whimsical utopian fantasy, but one of practicality; a world of brothers.

Be wise, be cooperative and be compassionate.. This I hope to be the new evolution, one of wisdom and knowing no competition except that of kindness.

 

My Sunlight is My Darkness

“Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.” ~Leo Tolstoy

So many things going on, so much to think about, too much to handle and far too much to worry about… when will I catch a break?? For me, this rarely happens, but I hear these statements often; these bricks of worry and burden carried in the form of sadness, anxiety, depression, guilt and even paranoia. As time moves, as life happens, these worries can pile high if one allows it. But, fear not; there is a remedy.

Life gives us all a slap every now and again, this goes without mention. Just as we may feel on top of the world at one moment, at another we can feel lower than the marsh, being pounded by the surf, being shredded by the sand and silt. This comes in many forms; bad day at work, bad ride to the office, bad conversation on the phone, poor decisions realized a bit too late, fighting with friends or family or simply just waking up and stubbing your toe.. This can all create a mess in the mind and become manifest in the actions of the day.

Take a moment to step back and view this sphere.. it is abound all the while. In this view remember that all change contains compliments. Some may call this sphere misfortune, others call it bad luck, others just call it a normal day in their life. But we must realize that at all times it is both, containing all compliments. We can see this embedded with the Taoist symbols of chaos and order. Sometimes, a bit more chaos is evident, and we walk in less order… However, these moments at their essence are just the same as any other. They always offer a path or a point of choice, a return to balance and harmony, they are intertwined by universal law; by divine decree.

You can become sulked and saddened with the chaos of the day, letting it disrupt your mind and heart, or you can realize it for what it truly is. These are all simple compliments to your day, to your decisions and to your life. Realize how to harmonize with the song of chaos, and you will revisit your order. Balance these both equally, and recognize them for what they offer. Through chaos you find the will to restore balance, through order you may realize that too much order is a bit dull and boring, so then you may just invite a bit of chaos.. Seems counterproductive, no? But perhaps this is necessary to walk a balanced path.

Consider for a moment the great ancient oracle, The I Ching. This is called the Book of Changes.. and aptly named. This great work gives us a clear representation of change at it’s essence. It mirrors our own bodies, our own lives and the entire universe that contains us all. We all are continuously changing, ever moving in space and time, this is life and all compliments interwoven. As above, so below… So within. Remember that light is made possible by darkness, and so it is true that the darkness cannot exist without the light..

When the day seems to dim and darken, remember that the light does shine from within at all times. This doesn’t require any secret cipher or key… You can harness this power at any turn, at any time. Be the balance, and harmonize with your misfortunes. Accept that some things cannot change, but know that many things are changeable, just as the tide, just as the hues of the clouds and sky when filtered sunlight dances upon them.

We are all as magical as the dawn, as perfect as the night, and born of the cloth that binds these together. Become what you wish to feel, and misfortune will become fortune.