Impermanence IV

Carl Jung said “One does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious.”

Every time we welcome rather than push away what we have judged, rejected, feared, or neglected, we activate fierce compassion. When we consciously go down into our bodies, our emotions, and our unmetabolized pain, we can remember our innate capacity for love. We can move into the uncertainty of what lies ahead by being aware and embracing what we are experiencing in this moment.

We never know what tomorrow, or even the next moment, will bring. We have our hopes and expectations, but, in fact, we just don’t know. It is like moving into the darkness of unknowing in each and every moment. In order to survive moving into the world of the unknown, we need to be solidly rooted in the present moment. The present moment, This Moment, The Now, is where we live. It is our departure point for all adventures in the future.

To be rooted in this present moment requires mindful awareness and a connection with some aspect of our true nature. Awareness and connection are strengthened by taking refuge with family, friends, and fellow travelers on the spiritual path. Fostering these connections is what keeps us grounded, stable, and courageous enough to move into each new moment.

Perhaps there is some fear or trepidation moving into the unknown darkness in each and every moment. Yet, we can take refuge in our community of support and in our understanding and experience of true nature found in our practices.  We can be like the roots of a tree, growing and searching in the dark underground, looking for water and nutrients to sustain the life of the tree. The root always moves forward, moving smoothly around whatever obstacles it encounters, but confident it can always find a way forward.

Be like a root; grounded and moving forward with confidence and determination.