Yes, the Divine's presence and teaching moments are in everything we encounter....I so agree! Also, I had to look up Auroville and it sounds absolutely lovely and I'd love to go there one day. I had no idea such a place existed. How long have you lived there?
Just recently, here in our new community we moved to just a couple of years ago, we were walking around the lake and tossing peanuts to the squirrels which we thoroughly were enjoying them. Some lady came up and was rude, telling us you can't feed the squirrels even though there is not signage, only not to feed the ducks. She went on to say the squirrels get emboldened and bother them on the pickleball courts which I thought was really not happening, like they were going to bite their ankles while playing ball. I was very annoyed. It was a few weeks later we saw her again with her handicapped husband in a scooter and they asked to play a bocce ball game. We did this a couple of times over the a period and got to know them a bit and come to find out he has dementia and had many strokes. I felt really so much compassion her as his caregiver and for him as he realizes he cannot do much anymore. So many people have their own life issues and it's easy to make snap judgements. Getting out of my own head to see her and her struggles.
That is beautiful, Naren! May we all realize and uncover that divine Love within that is a manifestation of the whole.
"Perhaps that is one way wisdom expresses itself: responding to what is with a little more love and a little less resistance." Well said!
Janet, that sounds like a lovely group that you are part of. Deeply empathetic.
Yes, spirits of others are always close by giving us signs.
Yes, very well expressed, David and I love the quote you included!
I am very much aware of sharing our world with the creatures and plant life. We have lizards here that I always talk to. Just this morning an owl came to visit and announce himself in the darkness out back. I called to him a couple of times in greetings. How lovely to interact with nature and just be with it.
I am at the age where I can stop and pay attention to nature. I think when I was busy in my working days, it was so much more difficult to just stop and listen. I do feel for the younger people and encourage our daughters to get out in nature as much as possible.
I wish for my life to be of service and to be compassionate and loving. I have a lovely neighbor who recently lost her husband. We moved here not long ago so we are only getting know each other. I was chatting with her yesterday about my life and we have much in common. She is deeply grieving her husband and is so very lonely. She brightens when we speak together and even has a chuckle now and then. I hope to be a light on her path to finding herself and happiness again. I feel somewhat that it is my ego wanting to be helpful so I must be careful. I truly want to ease this woman's pain, though.
Beautiful, thank you for the quotes!
I tend to lean the way of this thinking as well. I went through cancer treatment/chemo/surgeries and just learn to embrace what is. I learned to be thankful and grateful for everything, including the treatments.
At 101 yrs. old, I can only imagine the stories you have to tell. I've always enjoyed your posts here as they are so reflective, thank you for being you and being here, Jagdish! If I may be so bold to call you by your first name.
Interesting perspective, thank you for sharing!
Nature's creatures are wonderful lessons of bringing us back home to ourselves. I love to watch our local birds, lizards, and wildlife we have here. It truly is special to just be in the moment, in awe of in the interconnectedness of it all.
What a special time for you and your sweet dog. Being in the moment of mindfulness and love and compassion. Beautiful life lessons 🙏
That is beautiful, thank you for sharing!
When we look out at the world and only see the negative aspects, the hate, the greed, the pain, we tend to only see that. I know someone who basically felt the world was out to get her and then she seemed to attract negative events and happenings. When I was young I didn't have a good health esteem for myself but came to realize we are all manifestations of the Divine and we are beauty in and of itself. We are all trying to do and be the best we can. I wish to be a peaceful vibrational being and be of service to others. Be Loving Awareness as Ram Dass says. Be present in the moment.
Dear Allie, thank you for this thoughtful post. It reminds me of Ram Das who spoke of caring for his father in his end of life phase and others who he was with at the end. He went from caregiver to being a human being sharing in this experience and understanding the suffering that was happening. He then was able to sit with them and help them come to terms peacefully. From caregiver role to human role of sharing this experience.
I love this analogy of transformation. Watching the wonderful video that Saroj provided was poignant for me in that as the chrysalis emerges from the catepillar it looks rather painful then becomes freeing and comfortable from the skin of the catepillar as it goes within to become silent and reflective as we do spiritually in our own growth. Then the shell hardens and softens within itself to change again to begin anew. I think we go through these transformations throughout life and we learn and grow on our journey.
I was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer a few years back and that cracked me wide open. All those months of going through treatment gave me time to reflect on how fleeting life can be. But also how precious and glorious it is. It was at this time that I discovered Thich Nhat Hanh and I dove into No Mud No Lotus. We must all go through things that will then turn out to be blessings. I grew to have peace and no fear of leaving this life. At that time, I was grieving what my loved ones will deal with after my passing. I am so blessed to be healthy now and do not want to ever take life for granted. I try to keep reminding myself to stay present in this moment, love this moment no matter what, through the pain, through the joy. Thank you, Pema, for your wise words. Namaste~
All of these responses/reflections here are wonderfully stated. Having hope curiosity in life, in others to see situations clearly. What can be learned from this situation? What am I supposed to see, do, or act upon, or just observe? Skepticism, criticism, optimism are explained in simple well thought out way, here. Thank you!