Sanctuary

In a church, a temple or a mosque; on the mountain, by the river, in the forest, along the shore; we each find our sanctuary in different places. Sometimes we find sanctuary in each other. In the bright eyes of a child; the warm gesture of a friend; the intimate touch of our lover.

I often find myself contemplating my ideal sanctuary. I seek that special place where I can feel safe, secure and protected from my own negative self-talk. Those of us who spend our days plotting, planning, intellectualizing and rationalizing can too frequently get lost in the maze; the maze of earthly concerns and material wants. Our spirit is best fed by the poetry of nature: the crispness of the morning air; the scent of the blossoming flower; the song of the meandering river; and the strength of the giant oak. In nature, I remember my purpose. I must learn to see not only with my eyes, but with my spirit as well.


In nature, we learn the cycle of life. There is a clarity that we can not find in man-made doctrine. We tend to seek stability in our lives; stability means stagnation. The "answers" we seek come to us in abstraction; unsettling and mysterious. This mystery is the source of all true art and science; or so said Albert Einstein. This mystery is the source of our faith that feeds our spirit.

In those moments of clarity, among the splendor of nature we are inspired; we are forgiven; we are renewed. We can accept that success and failure are man-made measures. We believe that there is little difference between your faith and mine, but the man-made trappings of religion. We find the unity we seek in sanctuary.

To sit and watch an animal, a flower, the tree, we can recognize the dignity, the innocence, the holiness of nature. All working in unison, at different paces, to create this sanctuary and abide by the cycle of life.

The lesson we should take from this is that all of mankind is a mix of "people becoming"; all at different paces. We are all at different stages of our spiritual evolution. Those at the "same stage" choose to practice similar beliefs. We are all on different paths; not one right or one wrong. It is the search for sanctuary and enlightenment.

Your Karma is Interferring with my Qi

Remember the second "Ghostbusters'" film? The one where the river of pink slime ran through the underground tunnels of New York City? The pink slime that emitted bad vibes, bad karma, bad Qi (Chi)? Remember how contagious that dark mood became? Well, I think it was in the grocery store last night.

I had to run up for a few items and to pick up a prescription. I could feel that something was unsettled when I parked the car. It wasn't yet nightfall, but there was a darkness over the store; perhaps it was the pending rain that eventually came our way. I didn't find a single smile in the store. I found frustration, impatience, anger and even despair as one young man approached me for a few dollars. There was a sadness and it stuck to me.

When I got home, my sister asked me what was wrong. It was apparent. My energy was zapped while picking up some milk, fruit and muffins. I retreated to my space to recover. The negative energy had drained me. After an hour of breathing and and re-focusing, I was re-centered.

I began contemplating the concepts of Qi (Chi) and karma. Did everyone in there have bad karma? Or did one person have bad karma that infiltrated the Qi?

Qi (Chi) is translated literally as "air" or "breath". It is the "energy flow"; the force. Karma is the law of moral causation; literally: action or doing. It is believed that the differences in our lives is a product of past lives - previous actions - creating accumulated karmic tendencies. Any kind of intentional action - thought, word or deed - is regarded as karma. Is karma and Qi a philosophical/theological paradox like the "chicken or the egg"?

If Qi (Chi) is the life breath that animates all living beings, does it arise from matter or does matter arise from Qi (Chi)?

I believe that we function as "one". Your actions and thoughts affect me. Mine, affect you. We are connected. We cannot escape that connection. That, I believe is the "Plan".

It began raining late last night. It is still raining; a steady, hard rain. The rain was needed to cleanse the Qi (Chi). I feel much better.

May the force be with you.

Rescue the Day

There are days where I find the day is "fighting back" at me. You know that kind of day? The days that nothing seems to go as planned and the alternatives are not to your liking. You begin swatting at the inconveniences of the day as though they were gnats. Before you know it, you're feeling unsettled and uncentered. Tired. That's when I take a deep breath and go to "the safe place".

In my mind's eye I find myself in a calming environment for as long as it takes me to brush off the day's angst. My place is in the woods by a river. The river let's off it's frustration as it flows heavily over the rocks. It is a sound of accomplishment.

The air is crisp and clean; with a coolness that envigorates.I am sitting in a small cottage; in an oversized chaise; looking out upon the woods through a huge open window. From this vantage point I can see glimpses of the river through the trees surrounding the cottage. The trees are competing for sunlight and you can hear the gentle russeling of the leaves as they move into position. Occasionaly, rays of sunlight pass through and reveal the floor of the wooded area; thick with moss. Above the sounds of the river you can hear the birds twittering.I can smell the fragrant wildflowers mixed with the comfort of a wood burning fire crackling before me. I have Mozart playing my soundtrack for the escape. This oversized chaise envelops me and my cats nestle on my lap with a soothing purr. I can smell the gentle aroma of berries combined with the fresh, clean scent of dirt coming from my glass of red wine. Just the smell can intoxicate.

Surrounding me are many stacks of books and the walls are full of art. I have all I need in this "safe place". I can stay as long as I need to recenter myself. In this place I feel a gentle embrace around me and know I am loved. My spirit returns to a bright glow and I am at peace.

The day has been rescued.