In silence we are reminded - our contemplative practices anchor us in presence. Through meditation, walking with gratitude, tender gestures of love, we awaken to the unending NOW in which our lives eternally unfold. No matter how lost we become in dust-gathering relics of past accomplishments or anticipations, the pure present calls us home.
We are not merely passive vessels in this journey, but co-creators responsible for tending the fire of contemplation alive within. If we abandon the practice, its living flame will be extinguished in our experience. When obstacles arise, we must patiently work through them, for only sustained devotion reveals the path.
And yet, even as we commit ourself fully, everything arises from a primordial mystery not of our own making. Each time we surrender into contemplative stillness, we disappear into that vast, radiant amnion that births all form. We realize our separateness was only ever an illusion - here we are indivisibly one with the whole.
In contemplation's peeling away of ego's veils, our vision expands. We discern when self-obsession constricts our love, leaving us numb to the world's urgent needs. True transformation flowers in radical compassion - a tender, humble presence that allows grace to "drain the fear-based rigidity" from our bones until we too can join creation's ecstatic dance.
The dance constantly bubbles up from an infinite depths, a childlike play pulsing "in our very blood whether we want it to or not." Poured out as this instant's pristine actuality, it can never be grasped, only embodied. Perpetually renewed in each sacred breath, the dance deathlessly whirls through our stillness, revealing in silence the unending present's eternal emptiness-fulness, source and essence of every holy genesis.
Find a comfortable position, sitting or lying down. Close your eyes gently, or soften your gaze if you prefer.
Begin by taking a few deep breaths. Inhale slowly and deeply, feeling your breath fill your belly. Exhale completely, releasing any tension.
Now, bring your awareness to the present moment. Notice the sounds around you, the feeling of your body against the chair or floor. Is there a sensation of coolness or warmth? Simply observe without judgment.
The passage speaks of silence as a reminder. Let the quietude around you, or within you, settle your mind. This stillness is the anchor, the foundation of our presence.
Imagine yourself walking, each step a practice in gratitude. Notice the small details – a ray of sunlight, the texture of the ground beneath your feet. Feel appreciation for the simple act of being here, now.
With each mindful breath, feel a sense of love radiating out from you. It can be a silent offering, a warmth that connects you to the world around you.
We are not simply along for this ride. We are active participants in this journey. See yourself as a flamekeeper, tending the fire of awareness within. When your mind wanders, gently guide it back.
Obstacles may arise, thoughts that pull you away from the present. Observe them with patience, like clouds passing in the sky. Don't get caught in their storm, simply allow them to drift by.
As you surrender to stillness, feel yourself becoming one with something larger. Imagine a vast, radiant space that holds everything. You are not separate from this space, but a part of it.
In this quiet contemplation, your vision expands. Notice where your ego might be holding you back, where self-centeredness limits your capacity for love.
Embrace the concept of radical compassion, a tenderness that allows you to connect with the world's needs. Feel this compassion blooming within you, a force that softens fear and rigidity.
Imagine a dance, a constant movement arising from within. This dance is life itself, ever-present, ever-changing. You don't need to control it, simply allow yourself to be a part of its flow.
This dance is both playful and sacred. It's in your breath, in your heartbeat, a constant renewal. Feel the present moment, this unending emptiness-fulness, the source of all creation.
Take a few more deep breaths, letting the experience settle within you. When you're ready, gently open your eyes, carrying this sense of presence with you into your day.
