Yesterday Barbara, Marcia, and I had a planning meeting at Barbara’s house for the Enlightened City design. After a telephone conversation with the Sthapatis in India, we decided to walk down to the temple to report the latest developments to Panditji. Walking down the path by Hanuman Park, I mentioned that we all felt light-hearted as children going for an adventurous walk on a summer day. We were not embarked upon a task, we were enjoying a pure hearted adventure… light as feathers. They both agreed. They could feel it. One of us commented that this is how life should always be.
Later that day, my daughter mentioned a book title to me, “The Blinding Absence of Light”. Though I still have little idea of what the book is about, the title inspired me with a flood of thoughts. As adults, the lightness of heart, the innocence of childhood, is all too often absent. It seems that has almost become a requirement for adulthood. In moments of retaliation, adults may attempt to reclaim that lightness in unnatural ways. The truth is, lightness is more an inner state than an outer behavior. Too many are blinded by the absence of such light-hearted simplicity in their daily life. The company you keep, where you put your attention, and your attitude in general, all have profound effects on your psyche, your health, and your happiness.
Do we even have a word for mature, adult, inner light-heartedness? It is simple but not simplistic. It is playful, yet more about an inner state than an outer behavior. It is not blinding, but eye-opening to the blessings of life. The absence of such lightness is blinding, but has overtaken the belief systems of many. The solution is simple, not complex. Favor simplicity but do not be simplistic. Favor innocence but do not be naive. Remove the blinders of a burdened worldview. Your boat can be in the choppy waters of life, but no need for those waters to be in the boat of your Being. Favor a light relationship with life over a heavy, burdensome worldview. This need not be an overt act. It is just a matter of not getting in your own way and allowing yourself to enjoy life in a simple, innocent, and feather-light manner.
Of course, ‘light’ has another meaning as well. From deep within you, unencumbered by conventional views, indoctrinations, or self-imposed manipulations of your inner wisdom… there lies what may be called your inner light, your inner knowing, your inner sight. To deny it, even in the name of what you have learned to be a better way, is to impose upon yourself the blinding absence of light. Truth lies within you. Yet truth is easily obscured when you allow life’s complexities to blind you to your own inner truth. To be free is to live in harmony with that inner knowing, that inner wisdom, those inner instincts.
Now combine these two meanings of ‘light’ and simply live your life. Remember, Truth is light. All the tools I have given you facilitate the culturing of that. It is a process. Enjoy the light!
This is beautiful. It brings me memories of being at Mount Soma. It reminds me of a passage in The Golden Frog:
“Children
hearts open
minds unconditioned
free
unprogrammed by
parents
teachers
friends
religions.
Recognizing your conditionings is challenging
letting it go is even harder.
To do so is to become like a child again
open
unencumbered.
Only then can you know your own true nature
rest into yourself
enter “the kingdom of heaven”
become enlightened.”
Beautiful Blog;-)
And the truth sets you free
Remarkable blog…
Very interesting…this blog keeps pulling me in.
“Do we even have a word for mature, adult, inner light-heartedness? ”
Would that word be “Enlightenment” ?
Very beautiful blog.
Roy,
Thank you for that. As I wrote this, I knew it was contained within The Golden Frog. I just could not recall if it was so concisely put there.
Beautiful…
Initially I felt a “glass is half full” feeling, and as I read on, the feeling shifted to a “my cup runneth over”. Fun!
What an excellent, right-on, observation of how most of us are operating day-to-day. It is so easy to get caught up in our serious, apparently important, heavy, views of life. Just reading this blog takes weight off my shoulders.
I feel so lucky to live in the incredible environment of Mount Soma that supports inner light-heartedness!
great blog
Thank you Brahmarshi..absolutely wonderful blog. Many of my employees have had children throughout the 15 yr history of this business and I have observed and learned much by watching them. The reminder to allow myself to feel the depths of what and who I truly am (with humility ofcourse) is so gratefully appreciated.
Beautiful blog! What a great insight in how the the joy in life gets stripped away.
So beautiful! So sweet! As I was reading it, my mind naturally followed your footsteps down the hill to Hanuman Park then to the temple, feeling the sweetness and playfulness. How free it would be to live from the place of inner knowing! I am so fortunate to live in a community that fosters it. Thank you Maharshi!
I felt something like this last night with my daughter. What an utter delight. Thank you so much for the blog!
How remarkable that we believe that which was imposed on us is who we are! How wonderful it is when this burden is lifted to the “light of day” and our grandeur becomes the drumbeat by which we can live our lives!
Lovely blog.