Everyman's Journal 2011, #7
© 2011 Rev. David Seacord
January 8
There is a Sufi story (probably) about Guru Nanak (I think-- I don't have this one memorized, except the point--- so I'll go ahead, OK?). Guru Nanak went to Mecca to do the pilgrimage that all devout Muslims are required to do at least once in their lives.... and while there he fell asleep. He was awoken to find he was about to have his head cut off.... for his feet were pointing in the wrong direction.... TOWARDS the Holy Kaaba, which was forbidden, as it was the Holiest Place in Islam. God lived there. (In eastern cultures, this is a very big deal.) Anyway, Guru Nanak asked his executors "Please show me the direction where God is not, and I will gladly point my feet in that direction!" That cooled their blades, and he kept his head, and thus gave the world a lot of sage advice (at a minimum).
I'm reminded of this story because it's pretty late, I've been doing a lot of office catching up, tomorrow's Everyman's Journal isn't even started and I don't have a clue what to write about because I've kinda forgotten all the things that I'd thought of earlier. So I picked up the nearest holy book, which was A Course in Miracles, and closing my eyes, asked to be guided, and opened the book to: Lesson 29, God is in everything I see. I read a few lines (in really never takes many, does it?) and started writing.
Like the lesson says, it's the summation of the entire course. And when we get it, really, that is when we are finally actually seeing, for the first time. As I see it, all our lives are simply practice in becoming consistent in seeing God everywhere, in everything, no matter what.
I mean, do you not find your highest spiritual regard is reserved for those beings who appear to you to be living in that space 100% of the time? Aren't they the ones we call enlightened, that we choose to follow? That is my experience, at least until they do something that bursts my bubble of idealisms. Which, I will say honestly, my ego ALWAYS did, sooner or later.
That has turned out not to be such a terrible thing however, because what I was not noticing was the two-way street I was on myself. In other words, although my ego was committed to puncturing the Guru's supposed posturing, the Guru was committed to elevating me towards his state. It wasn't an easy journey to HERE, but I am enough HERE to at least have a sense of what I put others through.
That's what has actually really taught me the most about the meaning of love... the examples of the continual selfless efforts that all the teachers in my life have given, while seldom asking for anything back. When I started to get that, I started to stop judging others (meaning,believing my minds automatic judgements about others).
I think the best path to seeing God must be the simplest, and what is simpler than applying the visions of God to everything.
Today then, becomes the practice opportunity once again... God above, God below, God all around. Especially, God inside ME. (meaning you saying ME, yourself).
Luckily, there are fewer swords waiting to lop off our head if we forget, but that does not mean we should be unintentional. No, set intention well today, and receive it's blessing. Each of us will then be more able to KNOW the Reality that desires only All of it's Sons and Daughters to receive the gift of everything.
Namaste,
David
PS... Readership has been changing a bit these last few days as these writing have explored new territory.... some new join-ups, and some good-byes.... perhaps for some the Course needs to be more central, while for others, that same centrality has been a misalignment. As the Course says, there are thousands of valid ways Home. What I write about is simply the Way I walk, as honestly as I am able. If it works for you, that's so great. But if not, I know the Blessings Always Rest Upon You. Peace.
***********************************
My partnership request.... Please consider yourself an important gateway this message is passing through on it's way to others. Please do 'send it on'. Thank you.
***********************************
Rev. David Seacord
Fine Art Painter / Sufi Cherag
www.davidseacord-everymansjournal.blogspot.com
www.davidseacord-acimcommentaries.blogspot.com
To subscribe, simply click on the code below to open the subscribe window.
http://davidseacord.us1.list-manage1.com/subscribe?u=306aba00e6959c604de750bcc&id=62a1ee7045
No comments:
Post a Comment