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Greetings and Namaste!
The recent full moon poured her light into my bedroom window the other night. I hope you received some of her wondrous gifts! She stirred these reflections for me.
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August Reflections
I remember as a child, perhaps you do to, the delight of discovering the moon followed me wherever I went. I would watch it racing behind trees to keep up with our car as my father drove us home at night. When we came to a wide open field or expanse of sky, dear moon would slow to a stately pace more befitting such a grand presence!
When we arrived home, it didn't matter if I turned my back on the moon and ran ahead, suddenly jumping and turning around - there she was, right behind me. As I ran into the house and dashed from window to window, there she was - even if I ran upstairs, I'd find her peeking in the window!
Many years later, my path took me into the uncharted wilderness of a liminal world. I came upon a clearing in the high mountain forests where a marvelous spring welled up from far beneath the mountain, creating a clear, deep, pool of water nourishing life all around it.
Feeling extremely thirsty, I plunged my face into the water, drinking it in. The water was more than mere water! It quenched more than one's thirst. It brought a stillness to the very source of thirst, of want, of need, of any kind of restlessness. In that sublime stillness my awareness rested, whole and complete in every way - effortless, living, breathing meditation.
Regardless of whether my eyes were open or closed, there was boundless stillness, boundless spaciousness, boundless Light of awareness illuminating all.
The pool's surface was like glass. Now and again a bird or deer would come and drink the same waters. At the far end of the pool was a waterfall where the spring water flowed over rocks before disappearing underground, becoming the hidden source of countless streams and rivers below.
Like ripples on a pond, the thought moved through my mind that I would have leave this place. I took another draught of the living water and its purity stilled my mind once again. It was clear that the dharma of those who found their way to one of these divine wellsprings was to invite everyone to drink as well. Gazing at the still surface of the pool, it became a disc of Light - cool, shimmering, radiant light.
Back in this world I discovered this Light is always present, whether I've turned my attention towards it or away, there it is illuminating all. It doesn't matter if we think we've turned our back on it and lost it forever, simply turning one's attention back to its source reveals the Light to always be there for you, in you, as you, and more.
You can play hide 'n seek with it, like a child playing with the moon.
And you can plunge into the liquid embrace of the Light to feel the stillness, the tranquility, and the expansive presence of simply Being.
Being fully you.
Being unbounded, spacious, all-embracing, free.
Emaho!
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Thank you all
for your notes of appreciation for our
newsletter.
Everyone has
the heart to be a true friend of the soul, an
Anam
Cara. By embodying that ideal ourselves we
may serve to help
another to find love and compassion within
themselves.
Our highest nature is always
manifest in
relationship - to all other beings, to the
environment, in relation to our own body and
mind. Becoming mindful of the quality of our
relationships
allows us to learn where the light shines and
where it
needs to shine more. The ideal of Anam
Cara is to
continuously endeavor to expand the depth
and the
inclusiveness of the loving kindness we bring
into
every relationship, every moment, every breath.
If
you have any
suggestions, comments or sharings, for our
newsletter please don't
hesitate to e-mail me and I'll do my best to
respond.
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With
all my
appreciation and love, I thank you all.
May all beings realize complete freedom from suffering and may all our actions reflect only wisdom, compassion, patience and love.
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