by Regiena Heringa
What is it that all of us desire? Is it not to lead lives of harmony, Self-love, growth and learning? Is it not to feel that we contribute to the betterment of family, community and world?
As we take a closer look at our lives and circumstances, we realize that our yearning for peace and for contribution seems to increase. Why is this so?
Let us look at these questions.
When you have taken your summer walk in the meadows and gathered flowers, do you not place them in a vase of water and then admire their color, form, simplicity and complexity? Surely you would not say to the bouquet, “Now, please begin to reproduce so that I can plant your offspring in my garden and create my own meadow!”
Rather, you would visit this meadow, give thanks and then gently take the entire plant (ensuring to take only that which is necessary, of course) so that it may happily thrive in your own garden, replenish and expand.
In our world we are faced with an interesting choice—to continue in a limited fashion to blossom within our philosophy of Spirit and become the fleeting example to the outer world, or to delve deeper, beginning with the settling down of roots to unfold and encourage a more sturdy example of Truth, Love and Light. If we accept to become the plant and the flower, we then nourish both the foundation of our Spirit and its fullest outer expression, demonstrating that we have moved from a position of duality to one of unity. It is here we recognize the innate way of being—perpetually moving towards a more elevated manner of loving, thinking and knowing. We are reminded that the higher we move in noble thought and action, the stronger the desire for inclusiveness.
Our Earth, seen at times as fragmented and wrought with tension and violence, continues to hold firmly to its essence of love, sacred balance and intelligence thus illustrating the true nature of existence: creation.
We may well ask ourselves, “Am I, too, ensuring that my life reflects the Earth’s essence by creating a personal pathway of balance, coherence, respect, honor and service?
Probably the answer is “yes.”
If so, we are then urged to listen even more to that spiritual part of our being which begs for more.
In this emerging new world, those who have consciously chosen to lead lives of unity, are being invited, nay, incited, to upliftment to become beacons for others. This new and coming world is infusing truth, justice, love, wisdom and creative genius in every facet of our planetary society. Without a doubt, this movement is gathering momentum and gaining international recognition. It is this emerging world which will dictate to us, Earth dwellers, how to live in fellowship with the essence of this planet as it already begins to express our future. Are we ready to choose our direction and readjust our behavior, if necessary?
In recognizing that free will is our heritage, we, indeed, have the privilege of choice. Yet, if the true nature of existence is unity, then at some point in our planetary evolution this emerging world will be victorious. Why? Because it is founded on the universal principles of Spirit which celebrate union, not separation, encouragement not jealousy and cooperation not competition. In truth, we are now beginning to position ourselves not only as planetary inhabitants, but also as universal citizens. We are becoming a greater community.
It is understood that the physical world is vibratory in nature. Energy creates patterns and subsequently demonstrates the characteristics of community. Our lives are based on patterns which can be observed as habits. Yet, because existence itself is change and transformation, it is natural that we become dissatisfied with our lives, wanting more meaningful discovery, growth and healthy evolution. In this innate yearning to evolve into something greater, we express the need to live a higher purposeful life, one we cannot only strive for but wherein we can rejoice and feel complete.
This purposeful life is two-fold: firstly, it asks that we recognize our birthplace within the divine vibration of Spirit, and secondly, it makes clear to us that our natural place of understanding and activity is within the one, sacred Mind of the Creator, Source. Here is found the cosmic force of love and intelligence which transcends all religions and human understanding and which unites all life.
The natural posture of humankind is one of love, peace and gratitude. If we give the mind an opportunity for rest, will it not move into a place of quietness, of letting go and allowing? If the body is given rest, does it not become peaceful? If our heart is given the opportunity for repose, away from stressful activity, will it not move into a expansive feeling of goodness and gratitude? Surely.
Why?
Because the natural environment of the human upon this good earth is within the very vibration of Source. There is no separation, unless we declare it so. What we are asked to remember is that there is no thing, no individual outside of this Divine Spirit. The most natural thing in the world is to consciously participate in Divine Mind by employing Its language of truth, justice, love, compassion, inspiration, creativity, in fact, by employing all expressions which celebrate the majesty and reverence of creation. We belong here. All life, in all spheres and dimensions finds fellowship here, in this home of unity and universality.
How then, do we maintain our individuality?
Let us go back to the summer meadow and the plant we gently placed in our garden. As we gaze upon this creation, what is it that we admire? Both the outward beauty and the solid inner core—one seen and one unseen. In the field, all roots of the plants share the same earth and require proper nourishment. They are united by a common cause. However, the outer expression of the plant, its leaves, stem and flower is quite individualistic. We are reminded that upon our earth there are no two flowers, no two fingerprints, or zebra markings or birds which are identical. Everything upon this planet has a slight variation, be it in pattern, color, form, size or vibration. Yet all houses the same Spirit and is created from the same Source. We can therefore exult in our individuality, for in honoring our uniqueness we become a singular example for living the sacred principles of universality. In other words, we, through our free will, can choose in our own unique fashion, how we wish to demonstrate the inner Spirit to the outer world.
This leads us to a greater question: how can we best live our individuality through our universal stance?
Back to the plant: the healthier the roots, the more resplendent the flowers. The greater the depth of Spirit, the more meaningful the individual action. The more fervent our dedication to the elocution of Divine Mind, the clearer the presentation of inner direction for outer, individual (or collective) affirmation.
In this emerging new world, an opportunity is offered to contemplate how we, as individuals and as a group, choose to respond to this new, planetary society. This brings us back to the initial question: what is it that all of us truly desire?
Surely, as individuals, we desire to move towards unity by acknowledging planetary citizenship and hopefully universal stance. Surely we desire to create the greatest movement in our earth’s history by encouraging members of this planet-family to contribute to the betterment of all life on this earth and to acknowledge that all existence everywhere is of a unique and elegant stature.
Perhaps all of these ideas can be best summed up by the great teacher, Paramahansa Yogananda who once stated, “there is a fundamental law of life. Recognizing it, we understand where life comes from, and where it is heading. To discover it, look beyond people’s immediate goals to what they aim finally to accomplish in their lives. Consider life’s ultimate destiny: in other words, its highest potential for development.”
Food for thought...
This article was first published in the Questers Journal Spring 2010