I have been "wandering" for the past several days. Took a drive back to my hometown to visit, to move things, and to set up a pond at my mom's home.
Was a pretty good journey I guess. Traffic back and forth was reasonably good. Managed to do most of what I wanted to do. So, yeah - a good trip all in all.
Lots of conversation on the way, while at home and lots of thoughts and observations at all other time. Did some reading too. But since the internet connection wasn't as readily available as it is here in my own home - I have "neglected" making entries.
1 of the many lessons learned - do not try to change people's lifestyle to what I think will be better, more efficient, and ultimately gives more benefit to the other. At the end of the day, we ought to respect where another has brought him/her in their journey. If they are happy with what they have and/or what they do - let them be happy in their own world. By all means introduce and share what you have learnt and experience - but let others choose the path and the life they want for themselves.
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"Nothing seems more personal than memory. You and I have walked separate roads, even though we walk together. I cannot look at a flower without having an experience you do not share. Not a single tear or laugh can truly be given to another."
When Merlin had finished this speech, Arthur looked distress. "You make it sound as if everyone is utterly alone," the boy said.
"Not I," replied Merlin. "The work of the ego is what makes you alone, sealing you into a whold no one else can enter." Seeing how distraught his disciple looked, Merlin softened his voice. "And yet ego can be set aside. Come with me." He got up and led Arthur out of the cave into the predawn darkness, which was still full of stars.
"How far away is that star, do you suppose?" He asked, pointing to the Dog Star. It being midsummer, Sirius was bright and low on the horizon.
"I don't know. I suppose it must be farther than I can measure, or possibly imagine," Arthur replied.
Merlin shook his head. "It is no distance at all. Consider this: for you to see that star, its light must enter your eyes, correct? Beams of light flow continuously from here to there, like an invisible bridge. What is a star but light? Therefore, if it is light both here and there and on the bridge in between, there is no separation between you and the star. You are both part of the same seamless field of light."
"But it appears to be very far away. After all, I can't pluck it out of the sky," Arthur objected.
Merlin shrugged. "Separation is only an illusion. You appear to be separate from me and from other people because your ego takes the view that we are all isolated and alone. But I assure you, if you set your ego aside, you will see us all surrounded by one unending field of light, which is awareness. Your every thought is born in a vast ocean of light only to return to it, along with every cell of your body. This field of awareness is everywhere, an invisible bridge to all else that exists. So there is nothing about you that isn't part of everyone else - except as ego sees it. Your work is to go beyond ego and dive into the universal ocean of consciousness."
Arthur had a thoughtful look on his face. "I'll have to think about what you've said."
You do that," Merlin yawned. "I'm still sleepy." The wizard turned to reenter the warm, snug cave. "Oh, and by the way, before you come back to bed, will you please hang that thing up again?"
"Thing?" Arthur looked down in surprise to see that the Dog Star had been plucked from the sky and left at his feet.
"Insofar as you are one person, you are like a drop in the ocean. Insofar as you are a part of the universal awareness, you are the whole ocean."
(DC. The Way of the Wizard)
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