A Beauty of Meditation

and

A Hidden Problem

By:

Phil Marnell

(Atlanta - 10MAY10) Our spiritual search for direction can lead down some paths that can only be described as, "interesting". It seems to be a natural state, though. Almost everyone searches. A case could be made that, indeed, everyone searches - and everyone finds. What, exactly, they're searching for and what, exactly, constitutes 'finding' is less easily categorized.

For our purposes, we'll assume that the reader, like the writer, is seeking direction, and understanding, looking for some meansure of meaning to this strange, whacky thing we call "life".

Most great religious traditions include a strong emphasis on some form of regular practice, pointing directly to, or implying something very much like what is currently called meditation.

It is a beautiful place to reach, this meditative state. It is not always so readily accessible, though, and sometimes seems downright unreachable. But, the combination of a gentle acceptance of oneself and a patient persistence will almost always bring one back into its being attainable.

Setting up a regualar place and time are important in practice.

And a most wonderful realization along the way is when it becomes clear that this 'thing' that is the you in the 'World of Caesar' is not the same as this invisible YOU. In a brilliant, quiet moment there is simultaneous separation - and union. Separation, from the physical world. Union as we come to see that "All" (including the physical world) truly is ONE, and that we are SO much more than the physical entity.

All at once, we can see that we are the pillar of light, free-standing in a cathedral of life. Sounds and distractions around us in the room suddenly seem to simply pass through us, and we watch them proceed with a smooth brow. It is beautiful, and it can be a sweet form of almost addiction: we'll want to be back here, touching the face of God often as possible.

And then another subtle development, as we move more confidently on the path towards what looks like bliss, and it becomes de rigueur. A compacency is waiting to take the credit for ... well, for ALL of it. And that includes God.

It's illogical and subtle, but the worst of the ego and the sweetest of the spirit are playing cards with our peace of mind on the table. Especially as newcomers to the whole process, the ego is almost always the better player. And before we're fully aware, we find ourselves out of the habit, out of the regular occurrence in time and place and back on the street of life, wondering what happened to our bliss.

That cathedral door is right behind us, though, and it swings both ways. And all we have to do is turn around and step back through it, and onto that upward spiral of growth, reestablish the connection, the calmness and the regularity. And more carefully and vigilanty watch and listen to creation unfolding right in the middle of us.