A long time ago, when I was in my middle thirties, a friend decided that a group of us should expose ourselves to a variety religious/spiritual traditions. On one particular Sunday, we piled into his car after (Unitarian Universalist) church services and drove to a Hindu Temple out in Pearland, TX. It was here that I received, quite possibly, the most important lesson of this lifetime. A Hindu nun explained to me that we do not have to ask for blessings, we receive them. They are already here waiting to be taken. That one concept changed my entire life. We don't have to ask. I thought to myself, We take the blessings.
Fast forward about 20 years. A man I know calls me to say that he attempted suicide the evening prior. He told me that he didn't feel sad or depressed. He just didn't care anymore. Now, I have to tell you that I question the not being depressed part, but more to the point, as we talked for two hours, I was struck that he could not see the wonder of life. Certainly, his current situation did not meet his expectations, but outside of that there are so many beautiful, glorious moments in the everyday existence of life on this planet. Our sky is a marvel. We have trees that give us oxygen to breathe (for free!) and puffy clouds that pour water down upon dry land. In the grass are multitudes of beings weaving webs, building cities and waging war over crumbs of bread. It's amazing! The spectacle is going on all around us every moment. And he had completely closed himself off to all of it.
We all share so many blessings. Loved ones. Memories. Kisses and solitude. This planet moving through space is our home. And it is wonderful. In addition to all of this there is so much more beyond the 5 senses. Those tender, intangible experiences that exist within each of us. We don't have to do anything to qualify for the blessings. We don't have to pass any tests. However, to receive them we must feel worthy. No one who feels worthless can accept blessings. They don't believe that blessings are for them. Sometimes they don't even believe that blessing exist. The world is ugly to them because they feel ugly about themselves. This is a matter of distorted perception and that is all. No person is worthless.
The feeling of worthlessness is a learned attitude. Children are not born feeling worthless. But through practice, we can let go of negative thoughts and emotions. We can de-magnetize ourselves though meditation. And once we let go, we can see ourselves as we truly are. We can see life as it truly is. In order to receive the blessings, first we must be aware of them. And then they are ours. No questions asked.
Shanti,
S.
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