A Few Thoughts For A New Year
By Helen Jandamit
Wishing you a wonderful transformative 2004
2003 cleared so many disturbances in the consciousness of the world. It was not an easy ride but now the winds of change are blowing strongly. It is time to surf the shifts and swirls of cause and result. It's time to hold awareness without judgment as we soar to the crests and plunge to the depths of the waves of change.
First the first time in known history, here on earth, we can know our own experience and at the same time know, virtually instantly, what is happening on the other side of the world.
Sometimes the speed and amount of 'information' is overwhelming and we long for the good old days of a postman's knock or the friendly voice of a neighbour.
We are growing up. We are growing into awareness of the inter-connectedness of all things.
Indra's net is all around us. It's in our heads and minds. But haven't we forgotten something?
How about compassion (Karuna) and loving kindness (Metta)?
Are we becoming so overwhelmed by the sheer speed of change, and the complexity of detail, that we close our hearts?
Are we becoming so caught up in coping with the constant demands of conforming to unspoken ideals, that we don't stop even for a moment to be with ourselves honestly?
Are we going to allow fears and anxieties to toss us around like corks in the water?
Are we going to allow electric diversions to cosmetically cover the deeper disturbances we feel?
Or are we going to stop for a moment,
feel the touch of the breeze on our skin,
hear the call of the winged ones and the rustle of leaves.
Are we going to really listen to the words
and the heart-meaning
of what our children and our loved ones are saying?
Are we going to turn off the blare
of that seemingly essential media overload and listen to your heart?
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To dare
to be the wholeness
of what we are,
in clear awareness,
is to walk the tightrope path
to infinity.
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It is all right to give yourself a hug every now and then.
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