A digest for conscious living
I have been able to get back to some vigorous exercise this week and I feel a decided effect on my state of mind. I think by nature I have a very fast flowing Chi, and although yoga and meditation are a good way to release some of it, there is nothing like running or weight lifting to really dump stress. I sleep better, feel more relaxed and my thoughts are clearer. Im very grateful to have a complete and healthy body.
A family friend of ours just turned 98 years old last week, and my wife and I took our daughter to visit her. It was a dramatic justaposition- a 14 month old toddler and a 98 year old senior.
Unfortunately our elderly friend is beginning to lose her mental faculties and is often confused and disoriented. After moments of confusion or forgetfulness, she is normally quick to laugh at herself and continue with her conversation unpreterbed. At other times however, a blank look comes over her face that I found quite sad. It is a true case of “the lights are on, but nobody is home” and upon returning home, I found myself having disturbing thoughts about what the implications of this are on a spiritual level.
I really had to ask the question: What happens to a person’s soul if, for whatever reason, they lose their mind or their senses and no longer has the capacity to be conscious of their existence? What implications does this have for their soul, or their connection to The Dreamer, or Source? I am so aware of the mind-spirit-body connection that it seems that I have to wonder- If the vessel that we call the body becomes dysfunctional, what effect does this have on the soul?
These questions troubled me for a day or two, as intuitively it seems that death is the only way to separate a body from a soul. The idea of living without a connection to my soul is one of the most disturbing things I can think of.
I believe that as long as the body is alive, the soul is present- the fractal or holographic quanta of God that lives in all of us is with us until the end. Sadly however I do think that it is possible to lose one’s connection to the soul. When it happens due to old age or senility, it is sad, but not tragic. It is the end of awareness for a person who’s soul is on the threshold of parting with the body. The true tragedy is when it is self inflicted. Addiction, negativity, anger, fear- all of these are hinderances to being able to connect and commune with the source in all of us. A person who dwells in the dark side for long enough may lose their connection to their soul. Its not that the soul is not there, it is always ever present and patiently waiting to be contacted. The degree to which a person has lost the connection to God within them is the degree to which that person is blind to the paradise that is available to them at any given time.
“Learn to be Still” – The Eagles
It’s just another day in paradise
As you stumble to your bed
You’d give anything to silence
Those voices ringing in your head
You thought you could find happiness
Just over that green hill
You thought you would be satisfied
But you never will-
Learn to be still
We are like sheep without a shepherd
We don’t know how to be alone
So we wander ’round this desert
And wind up following the wrong gods home
But the flock cries out for another
And they keep answering that bell
And one more starry-eyed messiah
Meets a violent farewell-
Learn to be still
Learn to be still
Now the flowers in your garden
They don’t smell so sweet
Maybe you’ve forgotten
The heaven lying at your feet
There are so many contridictions
In all these messages we send
(We keep asking)
How do I get out of here
Where do I fit in?
Though the world is torn and shaken
Even if your heart is breakin’
It’s waiting for you to awaken
And someday you will-
Learn to be still
Learn to be still