Is emptiness actually fullness and an opportunity for inner growth? Experiencing changes in my family as my children individually establish their own homes and occupancy of other people and events. In their daily lives, I continue to emotionally reach for our interaction as I’ve been used to when we all lived together. Is this emptiness? I feel the opportunity they provide me for my own growth?
So, is this emptiness I feel a gift? As in this story, is the ring that’s not there a gift? As I look at this new phase of life as fullness in a different dimension, it shifts the emotion into a positive place. I believe it is by expectations of involvement with my family that perpetuate loneliness. Shifting that into fullness and opportunity creates unlimited new opportunities. Here in lies the gift my children are giving me and I am giving them. This is unconditional love.
I feel very blessed with seeing my life with my family with bright excitement, enthusiasm, growth, and the deepest love ever imagined!
Dr Jagdish Dave’ , my friend and teacher, you have brought the teachings to my heart that have allowed me this powerful understanding. This is the greatest gift. This is what my children have been giving and demonstrating to me all along. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Elaine Gotfryd Noonan
I will often times approach someone sitting alone with a smile or a little uplifting conversation. Making others feel included and welcome is such a precious gift to give and receive. The point in my heart is to let them know that they are not alone by exchanging some gesture of kindness. I realize how much this means to me. I see in their eyes they are grateful, and that brings me great joy.
I will sometimes send a text message, make a phone call, write a special poem, or create something uniquely for a person.
Many people live alone, many people have difficulty communicating because of preconceived ideas. I breathe mindfully with all of the teachings from Dr. Jagdish Dave’ and smile. Namaste is the universal touch.
I posted a reply as well and read your reply with deep attention . Yes balance and self recharging is essential . I see many retreating to video games, constant motion ( including myself at times) as their escape from other mental noise and stress . Going from one noise to another does not help the prior.
It makes for a busy life reflecting and examining mindfully what is going on in my outside world and what is going in on my inside world. Focus on breathing while objectively observing emotions, thoughts, feelings and the weave of each of these in relation to each other is quite a commitment to improving one's relationship with self and others. As we look to improve, deepening our self/other relationships, and not look to blame on any level of this most inner/outer educational process, the scapegoat, our eyes and heart of loving kindness are the reflecting and refracting mirrors of life...quite the kaleidoscope.
I'm sure glad I have had Dr. Dave' as my teacher because it is with this knowledge and practice for the past 20 years that I have been even able to write the above paragraph and have some grasp of the beautiful weave in our conversations and my life. Thank you , Dr. Dave', for teaching me weaving at the highest level....weaving hearts of love and loving kindness.
Namaste.
Elaine Gotfryd Noonan
Hello,
I realize I must release expectations of life and beFULLY present in the present moment. Release expectations of meditation itself. Enjoy each moment of the journey and be grateful.
Being awake feels like flotation: levitation and weightlessness in the present , fully consumed with all senses alert and engaged . This is a very healthy and peaceful lifestyle.
I love the phrase “noble friends†. That is a perfect way to describe the people who show up in surprising ways in time’s of great difficulty ( as well as fun times) . They are a lifeline emotionally , spiritually and aid in physical healing .
Needing help on a day to day basis for any length of time when you live alone is a much different than when you have the physical presence of another, or2,3,4 etc.
I liked the house building story . People in our world need concrete jobs for college graduates to make a living ( when they do not know someone as a connection into a company. Complex…. Keeping opening hearted and faith is an important part …. Reality of bill paying in the process is where the real balancing act exists…
Walking in faith…..
Living in stillness and full observation of thoughts, emotions and the whole self is key to avoiding a back and forth activity in the mind which can perpetuate restlessness and promote mental activity.Unmotivated alertness and quiet looking is how the author names the state of meditation desired. For me, relaxed breathing helps.
"We need the humilityof consistent self-examination" I feel is a most important statement. This is our basis of where all of our ideas, thoughts, and conversations are processed. If we are in a balanced place we can respond and not merely answer which is definitive and closes down conversation. This open process will encourage idea sharing and improved respectful communication.
This is a beautiful story which talks about life. It is important to be aware of all the goodness in your life while experiencing the world around you. In the case of this story, to treasure the 2 drops of oil while exploring the palace .
The caterpillar intuitively knows it must change in order to evolve. Voila the chrysalis. Voila .. imaginal cells thrive ( no matter what the outdated " caterpillar" thoughts) .The power of the imaginal cells surpasses the attack of the immune system . Often people in our lives don't "vibe" with our transformation . New transitional vibes attract new "like vibes" into your life .. a new tribe is born and works together toward a new common good. Check out the book, Hope for the Flowers by Trina Paulus... my wings are ready 🦋 🦋
Wow! Such an important brain function to understand and observe in daily living. Thank you so much for helping me further attend to the best daily focuses and observations â¤ï¸
I can relate to each levels of listening as I am aware and observe myself listening . I can tell if the speaker is wanting an interaction and engaged conversation while open to other or new ideas. Then I find myself in generative listing. I don't personally choose my level of listening it seems automatic based on the individual that I'm speaking with.
Today I spoke with a friend I have not seen in sometime and listened to her thoughts and concerns about the Covid situation.I listen to from my heart and could tell her emotion beneath her words. This is how I responded to see about relaxing her concerns in a more objective less emotional way.
To live in the present moment, while being aware of the past or projection of the future, requires an openness to the revelations and discoveries along the way. Pursuing ideas or interests without limiting the types of experiences or visions of what my seeking will look like is important for me; in this "open hearted and open minded place", I recognize a new idea or opportunity as it is revealed in the present moment. If I have a preconceived idea or paradigm, I may totally miss what opportunityis being brought into my life....something greater than I could not have imagined. Recognizing any filters (past life experiences) in my perception of any given situation, that may be projected in the future, is an aspect of of what I am taking into consideration in any given moment.
When I needed a job to raise my family, I had no experience in a library or as a librarian. I remained open to this new possibility and I had since gone on to pursue a Masters Degree in Library Science and completed 21 years as a District wide School Librarian.
What helps me stay open to possibility is the joy and love of life, and the infinite possibilities that exist. I am excited to be a part of a vast world or opportunity anddo not want to limit myself to old thinking or habits that will prevent my growth and development. I want to contribute more to our world through the growth of personal consciousness and that reflection in the world as I see and experience it.
On Jul 31, 2023 Elaine wrote on Tale Of The Ringless Ring, by Thomas Moore: