Staying “Home”
We look too far away for Reality. — Ernest Holmes, The Science of Mind 41.3
I grew up on a farm four miles outside of a small Oklahoma town and was seemingly okay with that, except in my head I was a million miles, several continents and frequently universes away.
I forgive myself for that, because it was after all pretty boring. It certainly seemed so at the time. I was the one at High School graduation most definitely not in tears over leaving – but in glee about finally getting out-of-town on a semi-permanent basis.
Somehow though I think Dr. Holmes is talking about a different kind of “far, far, away…”
Spiritual evolution should make the Infinite not more distant but more intimate. — Ernest Holmes, The Science of Mind 89.2
And isn’t that the challenge?!? Becoming more intimate with life as we live it. More aware, more present to each moment, more here and now with every breath. I still find my self flying off, off & away, though now I’m learning to make it a round trip ticket with a very short visa.
To find in each moment the perfection of that moment, of myself, and of all the world I live in. Truly actually living in it. Strangely enough after decades in big city business, I’m walking away from “focus clearly, sharply, specifically on whatneeds to be done”, and learning it is more about presence. The special art of being present to NOW, being aware of the energy-in-flow, aka the complete picture. The important stuff is happening inside of my head. It is happening and I pay attention to the swirl of people, places and energy that does give the color and depth that too frequently I’ve tried to find by looking for the “juice” in other people, a different job, a new title. Or in any of those far away places.
And my extreme surprise and delight is discovering that the more I open to Presence as a learning experience – not a scene to be directed or controlled – but the more I allow myself to listen honestly and to see clearly, the more I come into seeing and knowing the Truth of my own being. This is not surrender, submission or any version of “whatever”. It is living from my core in the world around me.
…. The higher the sense of Truth, the greater will be the realization of the uniqueness of individual character and personality… Individuality means self-choice, volition, conscious mind, personified Spirit, complete freedom and a Power to back up that freedom. –Ernest Holmes, The Science of Mind 332.4-5
And the true beauty for me is to be right here, right now claiming every bit of perfection and power, every morsel of learning from living a life that is HERE. And NOW. And it is so, especially when I remember to stay home.
–Pax, Mariann