All That Matters
I had a very interesting experience the other day, that now seems to be ongoing. I hope it lasts, or might even deepen. What happened was this: I was just walking across a room in a small apartment where I have been living, and all of a sudden I became very aware of being connected to something of such significance & beauty— I felt a profound thanks, and a wonderful sense of discovery and freedom in knowing: this is all that matters.
I felt there was something about my own being, whatever it might be doing, that was— all that matters. But also, importantly, felt that I could see that of everyone, in whatever they were doing. That each of us, in some very real ways, and all creatures, were basically such a treasure that could so rightfully be gazed upon, to where everything else was… so secondary and unaffecting. But did understand also— sure, all things had their place in this whole wild shebang.
The Wild Shebang: that is where it seems the world is now living. And so much can seem anti-munchkin. Aka: where are those hours on the Yellow Brick Road I used to know and travel with— with friends, and in hopeful dreams I, in ways, shared with millions? Where is the Wizard of Oz for real, tangible— working physics— guidance? Where sometimes even your own intuition is so right-on you just do: A, then B, then C …. then bingo.
Ahh, the Wizards of Oz & bingo! I don't think they have forsaken us, or more fun and games. Great poems and great books can help. And wonderfully infiltrated songs with lyrics God or Jesus might have first hummed— after hours in a bar— and clinked a glass with.
Seems we need that more than ever — the taste of manna— that can so be in the beauty of nature; the wonder of each other; in the love for our pets and plants; for our gifts of art; and in caring.
But try and work with just a few lines of any wisdom you feel something might offer; let that take root in your thoughts, movements, gaze and sounds. We become what we live!
Right now, come on— be a sport: sing a line from a song you like. A line you feel can be a great teacher, or lover, or friend. What could you repeat out loud to yourself— from a poem or book that can be something of a life boat, or inspiration? Something that can both safeguard and empower you; help you cross the river (or ocean) of the next minute, hour or day.
And if you are feeling too shy to sing, or not in the mood, here is a song the wizard Google fed me one night when I needed help. It is from a band I had never heard of: Another Sky. The song is very upbeat to me, and brought a Hafiz line to mind from a new poem-rendering of his I am working on. That one line goes:
Let this world be nothing to you at times with our feet midair and dancing.
— Hafiz
Some words can be a kiss from an angel or Buddha or something. Yeah Buddha— pucker up, we need ya! Yeah, dear sun and moon, and dear heaven, let us know you are on a kite string we hold that was given to us at birth— and we can bring you close, close when needed— and laugh or smile; and know the freedom of love, more. The Freedom Of Love. Sounds like a good book title.
Those four words (in bold) are something my teacher in India once spoke about in an illumined, touching way, as part of a little discourse. Yep, they seemed, seem, a smooch (to me) from an angel sitting on a Mountain— high-fiving.
Angels sitting on mountains— high-fiving. Hey, no wonder I love reading Hafiz & Rumi sooo much. There is angel dust all over the place in the best of their poems. And they can jump out mid-sentence and poke ya: Hafiz & Rumi & Cherubs & kin— and Carl Jung tooo. Maybe even Elvis.
And ahhhhh: Another Sky. Yoda might indeed say: “Yes, there is one that gave birth to the one we can so gaze at. And seeing that Beauty in our heart— the womb of Creation— the source of all that matters, that we are engaged to, to marry! That is what we live for — our wedding with God.”