One of the missions I believe I have for this life is discovering my spiritual self. I believe we all share this same mission, but it is only one of many. We get caught up in the day-to-day survival activities and tend to forget about our spiritual life. I am realizing that when this occurs, our priorities are reversed.
Part of my realization process was reading, and paying attention to those things that were happening in my life. For about thirty years I have thought and talked about being able to connect to others at a different level/medium/realm of communication. For lack of a better way to describe it I have used the term energy level. The closest analogy I can use is a recent technological advance – instant messaging. However, it is much more sophisticated than that. It occurs on a level that is beyond non-verbal.
There are some people with whom I have had the pleasure of sharing time and space. I felt I have known forever. There are not many, but when we meet it is as if we are reconnecting. I know that they are strangers to me when I first see them, but after a very few moments together, I know we are “family”.
As we begin talking about anything I sense almost immediately that we will be able to communicate and rely on each other to understand what is being said. The sensing is mutual. I have found a kindred spirit. If I could see auras, I am sure that the auras around each of us are strong, positive, optimistic, joyful, intense and healthy. We are probably from the same soul unit. After spending some time together we will be able to finish each other’s sentences. We are synchronized without making an effort to do so.
This is an exhilarating experience for me. It doesn’t happen often. When it does it is magical.
Another indicator of spirituality is my reaction to music. I am so overwhelmed by some music that I am brought to tears. I wonder if the songwriter had the same feelings when composing it. Sometimes it is just the musical notes and sometimes the combination of notes and words. Examples of this are Herbie Mann’s rendition of the Battle Hymn of the Republic, Merle Haggard’s That’s the Way Love Goes, and Eric Clapton’s My Father’s Eyes.
Some books have had similar affects on me. I read Richard Bach’s Jonathon Livingston Seagull in about 45 minutes while attending the FBI National Academy many years ago. It brought tears to my eyes because of its spiritual beauty. From this experience I became more aware of this feeling and began to seek other similar experiences. I couldn’t wait to read other similar material. When Bach’s Illusions came out I got it as a Christmas gift. I read it completely that day amidst children enjoying their gifts, in-laws celebrating a 50th wedding anniversary and Penn State playing Arizona State in a bowl game. (My wife is a Penn State alum and I graduated from ASU.) There have been many more books that have influenced me over the years, including the Messages from Michael series and The Hawayo Takata Story. As with the music mentioned above these are just a few of the many.
There were also discussions with friends that I now realize have been part of my spiritual discovery journey. There were philosophy classes during my undergraduate work that awakened me to the Eastern philosophies and religions. They resonated with me in ways that suggested a higher connection than just reading words and ideas. It was an inner realization that these concepts “felt right”. I suspect these feelings were my first conscious connection with spiritual energy. Further reading, study and discussions with friends increased this awareness. It made me look for more connections. I became aware of my responsibility/duty to be open to such connections. I also realized that such connections can’t be forced. I have to let them happen. I am now discovering that even the smallest, least significant event can be such a connection. Sometimes it is the “stumbling across” the blog of people from different countries.
Jack’s Nugget: The spiritual journey is constant, be open to it.
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2 comments:
Hey Jack,
Enjoyed this post - a brief history of sorts of the spiritual development of Jack. Although the details are unique to you, the shape of it, the sound of it - is familiar. I appreciate your sharing.
I did experience a head snap - the juxtaposition of Jonathan Living Seagull and the FBI National Academy - whoa! but then, you are an eclectic, multi-faceted fellow.
Bird, we are all unique. I hope you like Chaptert Seventeen too.
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