Who Sees The Beauty That Surrounds Them?
I was driving home from an appointment yesterday and I happen to be privileged to live right on the water. It was around sunset and the seas were very calm and one could see a very full reflection of the sky’s coloration. There have been many times that I have just rushed right past it all, not really noticing or perhaps just not caring that much about it. The pace that I and many others have co-created in our lives has been a product of being addicted to forms and that tends to make us numb. As a result, one doesn’t notice or care enough to really appreciate and acknowledge when a particular form manifests great beauty.
These days, for the most part, have been different for me as I am clearly developing what I call an ‘open focus.’ I can see and appreciate so much more when I look at all things in an easy and “open” way. In the human experience we tend to have to loose a few things or forms to feel the void that is present as one looses something that held strong interest. When any form becomes our identification, we also develop a false identity. If someone asks you who you are and you respond to their question by telling them your name, that is not really a complete answer, because you are not just your name. You just are… If you answered by saying, “I AM,” it coul sound a bit ethereal, but in fact it calls to the foundation of our true Identity. You might say, “My name is such and such.” But, clearly, we are more than just our names. Knowing one’s true Identity, or not, always shows up in the way that we process Life – the way that we live. It affects all of our capabilities and everything that we express and experience.
The forms of things in life are changing and the changes (these days) are happening rapidly. However, the beauty of the sunset remains through it all. How fortunate we are to be able to bask in such radiant beauty. There is more to do than just bask. I AM present to Bless the beauty of creation through my appreciation and acknowledgment of it. Did you ever thank the sun and water and earth and the sky for being present? I find that it feels good to do that. It may sound a bit strange, but I really think that Life can actually can hear and feel gratitude when it’s expressed, and it responds accordingly. The Indians actually recognized a spirit associated with each of those Life elements or forces. In any case, it’s good to allow my capacities to be fully present and to be able to notice the beauty that exists all around us.
These are the thoughts that are moving through me. I invite you to click on ‘comments ‘ and share your thoughts and experiences on this subject.
October 24th, 2008 at 8:07 pm
How much we have taken for granted, in our self-centered daze. We have taken the beauty of the natural world around us for granted, not appreciating the uniqueness of each and every sunset, for example, no two of which are ever the same. But we also take ourselves for granted, not stopping to realize the dual nature of our ability to recognize beauty. As you point out, we may bask in the beauty of nature and the good feeling it gives us–I know that I have done so frequently throughout my life. However, there is rightly also a radiant aspect to our interaction with nature, something that we give back. It is the “appreciation and thanks” that we give back to nature that completes the cycle and weaves us into the fabric of Life.
A Japanese researcher, lecturer and author by the name of Masaru Emoto, has pioneered water-crystal research which demonstrates photographically the impact words have on water. Words of care, love and appreciation create beautiful crystals whereas negative words of criticism, judgement and hate create ugly and distorted crystals. Considering that our bodies and our very earth are primarily made up of water, his findings point in the same direction as your words here. That to which we give our attention and subsequent words is either enhanced–as with the gift of love and gratitude–or assailed–with critical or unappreciative expressions. Thus it is that we either support and enhance creation or tear it apart. Lucky for us that creation–Life, Source–always wins, in the end. However, our experience is totally determined by what we express, so why not express and share in the positive, uplifting qualities of Life that are natural to our true nature? Love and gratitude–what else is there?!