We have been raised to see ourselves as individuals, unique and separate from all that is around us. Yet this concept is human species specific. Watch a herd of deer or murmuration of starlings: they move as one in response to air flow or awarenesses that go unnoticed by us.
We are animal beings. We have the power to tune into the connection, our interconnection, with other animals and forms of energy. Truly there are no actual boundaries. The atoms of my body are composed almost completely of space, of air. The atoms of my skin, which we conceive of as a solid boundary, is open to the futon upon which I sit. The futon, with it’s thick oak frame and deep cranberry cover appears SO solid and substantial, yet at it’s essence, there is far more openness than solidity. This is true also of the bamboo flooring beneath the futon, and even of the Earth herself. The Earth, the epitome of “solid ground,” she too is almost all space.
What would change if we all lived in this reality? If we allowed our senses to open to and perceive the subtle auras of those around us? If we became as aware of others’ calm and gentle emanations as we are of their loud and violent ones?
Simply opening to the wonder of this absolute possibility expands every part of me. The contractions of our hearts cause our blood to pulse and flow into each cell in our body.
Close your eyes and open to this experience
Pump, tighten. Open. Allow. Flow.
Feel how the contraction AND the expansion play together, how your heart intuitively receives and gives. The center of our core, that which gives us life, is constantly in a state of expansion and contraction, and so are we. And so are we.
With our bodies, these magical wrappers we slip into at birth, we can each open to the love and gentleness of others around us, and offer our heartfelt blessings to flow to them.
We can open our eyes and awareness to the appreciation that what others are exuding or expressing in our direction is first of them, from them, about them: a mirror of their personal state. With this perception, we gain agency over our experience, and of a wide range of possible responses.
Our personal true-life magic becomes evident as we realize that despite all the space in our cells, all the openings and connection to others, with practice we have the ability to constrict and energetically solidify our energetic boundary. We can learn to project a non-verbal “No” rather than welcoming in or “owning” any negative expressions of word, action or energy that come our way. We can appreciate that someone spewing anger in our direction may be expressing extreme fear, and while something we said or did may have catalyzed this reaction, the fear preceded us. It was below the surface, ready to show itself. This awareness allows us to respond compassionately rather than feeling hurt or offended. “Friend, what is causing this level of distress?”
We can receive the emanations that heal us, encourage us, strengthen us. And be lovingly present to others experiencing extreme grief, pain or heartache without taking it in and becoming overwhelmed. Empathy: to be with, not sympathy: to be like.
Each second, our hearts beat. The left side of our heart propels breath (via oxygen-rich blood) into each cell of our body, as the right side receives oxygen-depleted blood and sends it to our lungs. Our brilliant lungs breath in and out without a thought on our part, literally inspiring that which we require, letting go of that which no longer serves us. This happens each moment of every day.
A mini-meditation to acknowledge the complexity and wisdom in your body, so essential as our culture encourages us to judge, belittle, castigate these truly incredible works of art: Breathe in and receive the grace all around you, waiting for the chance to enter and serve you. Then exhale fully, allowing any negative thoughts or feelings hitch a ride out. Repeat as necessary, noting how Grace shows up differently in each breath, how your body relaxes more deeply with each release.
You are a brilliant creature, unique on this Earth. Your life lessons may feel insurmountable, yet here you are. Breathing, heart pumping. A living miracle.
What a gorgeous piece. Here we are. I’ve shifted just by reading it … thank you so much for sharing it.