What a week – my eyes have been opened by a wider angled lens through which to view the world within and around.
All of which has fuelled my fascination with the questions,
“What do I see?”,
“What do I not see?”,
“What is attempting to show itself to me, in a way that I can see?”.
For there is always more to see.
This is true of the external physical world, so vast in size that it would not be possible to explore every inch within a lifetime. Ditto the internal world of heart, soul and spirit. There is always more to be seen, savoured and celebrated, whether in you or me.
Nature reminds me that when I sit still, the natural physical world reveals itself to me in ways I can see. Whether the subtle but sudden movement in the tree that calls my eyes to the bird who was camouflaged within the foliage. Or the glimpse of moving red that alerts me to the arrival of a robin. These great gasp evokers continue to appear from the wonder-filled world of wildlife.
Similarly, when I sit still, the natural internal parts, step into the space to show themselves in ways that I can see, recognise and receive. As with the physical world, there will always be more internal terrain to discover and more exiled parts to welcome home … these invisible realms of soul, spirit and heart, call and cry out to us from within, to alert us to their presence. If only we can stay alive and alert to seeing them in ourselves and others.
I am surprised that I spent six out of the previous seven days, in London. I had a five day work course before a one day playdate with my mate Meg! Previously, I have always associated London with excess concrete, noise, people, traffic and everything that over stimulates and exhausts my system.
However, this past week has opened my eyes to see that I had only previously seen one small part, of many small parts, that make the huge whole that London is! It reminded me that as humans, we are prone to seeing the tiniest slither of a person/place/whatever and mistaking this for the whole picture!
My experience in London left me surprised by wonder.
Initially, the driving highlighted that I found more grace in the multiple laned, fast moving, traffic than I sometimes do in local traffic. Sometimes I needed to switch lanes at the last minute and sometimes others did. And we accommodated each other. No beeping of horns involved. Presumably, each aware of our need of the eyes of others to see and move to accommodate us, and we, them. This enabled a wordless flow and harmony that surprised me. In a good, grateful way.
During my walk from my air b n b to my workplace, I was bid ‘Good morning,’ by those I saw along the way.
And while enjoying my coffee on the balcony of my accommodation, I witnessed more wildlife than when watching the trees around my garden. I literally gasped my way through my morning meditations when I saw:
- One robin
- Two robins
- A flock of green parakeets
- Two squirrels chasing each other around a tree trunk
- The fox searching for food over the back fence
- The squirrel positioning itself to display its trapeze skills as it launched itself from a lamp post on to the tree
Wow: I had no idea I would encounter even more wildlife in London than in my own rural village!
Or that it would remind me how connected the world is; the wildlife at home exists in the world around! Everything is connected!
And then the phenomenal course I attended reminded me experientially of the connected-ness of humanity. We all have a heart, mind, soul, spirit and body. And our hearts get battered, bruised and broken by life. As do our body’s. Our minds learn rules that can attempt to force us to adhere to them, way beyond their expiry date and when in dire need of updating. Our souls long for us to give them the space and silence to speak to us. And our spirit calls to show us what can only be seen when the spiritual eyes, ears and hearts are open.
When there is a place of true safety within community, the hearts and souls can burst open to allow both the pain and the love from within to flow forth. And within this atmosphere of shared humanity and humility, the love heals the pain. The free flow of genuine hearts opening to each other, creates a connection of true alchemy that impacts all involved.
For me, this is one of the (g)oldest gifts from God; to heal and be healed within a sincere and safe community.
Sadly, sometimes the flow of God’s love is blocked where fear and ego attempt to constrict, contain and control it. But when ego is present but trusting enough to allow heart and soul to have their way, the mystical, magical, miraculous powers of the Almighty have room to flow, to give and receive to all who participate, as they need it.
To be part of such a flow of healing, releasing, uplifting, uniting power is to be transformed by it. I have been surprised by the wonder of being within a place amidst a people where such flow is facilitated and welcomed.
And then, yesterday a good friend took me for a birthday treat to a place called TWIST. I had not known this stands for:
The way I see things.
And it offered an immersive, experiential assault on the senses that was enlivening and enjoyable. My friend and I embraced the opportunity to play within it all.
An observer commented,
“You two are like children”.
“Yes,”, I replied, “We are!”
After this feast for all senses, we wandered around the throng of people in London, under the scorching heat of the sun. We were searching for a place to indulge in a physical feast. My friend spotted a welcoming looking place. When we entered, we stepped in to an oasis of serenity, cool and calm. This was in striking contrast with the world outside. In here, we were able to sit, to share and to eat together. Wonder – full.
It also reminded me that we need the eyes of those around us, to see what we do not. In this case, a respite from the busyness of London, to enjoy a calm scoff fest. We all have blind spots both in the physical and psychological realms.
On this theme, during a lunch break on the London course, I managed to decorate myself and my dress with delicious chicken satay. It tasted fabalicious, but it didn’t look too clever as an addition to my dresses design! While walking with my colleague, I commented that I needed a hose down. The next moment, she pointed to a wet wipe, fully contained in its packaging, entirely unopened, on the pathway. Wow! God provides! It didn’t obviously provide a full hose down, but it did enable me to clean off the obvious excess! I was grateful that my colleague had spotted the wet wipe, that I had not!
I was reminded afresh of my need for connection within community where people see me and see what I do not and vice versa. The more we notice our individual and collective blind spots, the more we can see, grow and help one another to grow and heal together.
When my friend Meg and I left the oasis of calm offered by the lunch establishment, we were chased down the road by the guy who served our lunch. He wanted to reunite my friend with the water bottle she had left behind! How many people put themselves out to do such a thing? Heartwarming.
Sometimes when we leave our physical items behind, we may or may not be reunited. In parallel, in childhood, we leave psychological parts of ourselves behind when these cannot be received by those around us. These also stay with us, seeking our attention and willingness to welcome them back home. And usually, we need psychological support to see and receive these with love, not irritation that they have dared to stay with us. Until then, I believe they remain safe in the loving arms of the Almighty, who pursues us continuously to return the gift of all parts of ourselves to us.
Back to London with Meg where upon entering a tube train carriage, a male immediately jumped up to offer his seat. Although we declined, we appreciated his kindness. Another stop down, another man jumped up to offer his seat to a woman who got on with a buggy.
Then while wandering around a station, a woman asked if we were ok before attempting to help us find our platform.
I was surprised over and over, in a heart-warming, wonder-inducing, wow like way.
Later that evening at home, during my post scoff walk, I was surprised by the number of people I passed. The fourth group I saw educated my oblivious self to the 90% eclipse that had drawn these people out. And I was offered a pair of specs with a special lens that allowed me to see the small moon shaped crescent, present when the moon was obscuring the sun. Another unexpected wow!
What a day; so much to see, always so much more to see about the wonder-filled world around and within:
- Ourselves
- Each other
- God
- The world
- Life
For me, the giver and taker of life is constantly speaking to show us more of these wonders that are not always instantly visible. He gives us the lens we need, to see what we have previously been unable to see, when we are willing. Whether physically or psychologically.
Wow.
Gasp.
Wonder-full.
Thankful.
What will I see next?