Observing and Inquiring.

Every moment presents us with an opportunity to look within ourselves. Without judgement, simply noticing what is there. What arises and falls, what comes ups and goes, in the ever-passing experience. Who is the one having this experience? Who am I, that notices all? The mind, body, heart, and spirit. Perhaps, all one and the same. There is such power contained in all that we are, yet where do we even begin? How do we cultivate that which we already are? What are we cultivating to become?

I wonder how much ‘participation’ we can really have; how much we can shape and influence our experience. It certainly feels like we can play some part, but it’s hard to say. To be conscious, alive, in this experience called life, navigating the complexities, relationships, work, how we are in every moment. It’s incredible, a miracle I would say, undoubtedly.

More than anything, I wonder how we can be “fully alive" in this lifetime, what it takes to experience this moment in its entirety. With our awareness and cultivated, yet free-expansive, attention, we can embody the unfolding moment, with deep wisdom, and intuition guiding our steps. How much action is required daily, and what does it mean to act, at all?

I don’t think it has to be an endless series of ‘doing’ per say, filling our time with this ‘busy’ work. There’s often this contrast of doing and being, both are intriguing. What does it mean ‘to be’ and how much do we have ‘to do?’ Simultaneously, I want to fill all my time with passions, but then there is no more time remaining. The days simply blend and race by. I don’t know if that is a bad thing, but I do wonder where the time goes. Moreso, I wonder if I have regrets. Will I wonder if I missed moments, considering the things I did not do, or made less of a priority?

Why are my priorities arranged in such a way? Where do they come from, and what prompts their change? Some of it comes from within, and much, from society and those around me. Our engagements with the world are relational, the external and internal merge together, and create some form or expression. This expression serves, in a way, as our identity, that which we think we are? I witness how strongly I hold onto my identity, protecting this construction with great will.

I am afraid to lose it, to lose this sense of who I am, yet, I believe, there is a freedom on the other side. Once I get past the noise, the thoughts, the emotions, the fears, I trust there is a simple place, perhaps a closer connection to the one, or God, or whatever I may call it. I feel the religions grasp at something profound. With a commitment to any path, any teacher, any process, we can dig our way to the center, to our center of being. The process of discovery can be instantaneous or gradual but there is a revealing with discipline and commitment. The light, authentic and sincere, shines through. This light has always been there, but either we couldn’t see it or chose not to see it. It shines brighter and brighter, until we return home.

Thank you. Have a beautiful day,

Tyler