Children teach me how to be present
It is important to make yourself “indiferente,” Ignatius of Loyola recommends in the Spiritual Exercises. “Indiferente” is described by the Casares’ dictionary of the uses of the Spanish language as “no determinado por sí a una cosa más que a otra” or a state in which you are “not attached to choose one way or another.” In the last post, Diane mentioned engaged non-attachment, not as a way of denying the life that we have but as recognition of the gifts given to us in every moment. By practicing engaged non-attachment, awareness and gratitude naturally emerge, then we can present to the abundance of life.
Each day we get busier and busier. Our co-workers, family obligations, television, media, and advertising demand our time and attention. A year ago, I was in El Salvador, dealing with the devastating rains that killed many people and left tens of thousands homeless. When I visited Bajo Lempa, I was truly worried. So much was at stake, I barely had time to gather my own thoughts before I threw myself into action. After a few hours of frenzy working, I heard a voice. “Who are you?” said the five year old, looking at me as she firmly placed her hands on her hips. Her eyes were deep and dark. When I told her my name she responded:
“I am Brenda. Do you want me to tell you a joke?” She laughed openly even before the joke was over. I could see how open her heart was, and how attentive she was to everything and everyone in the community. Maybe because she saw something in my face, Brenda knew what I needed. She made me laugh. In fact, she told me the same joke many times, because she only knew that one. It was her way of connecting to the abundance of that moment, in the midst of tremendous difficulties.
Mandala of theUniverse
When we are present to the abundant gift of life, to this world and the life of all beings interconnected by recognizing our own common humanity, the universe emerges as one creation, thriving and growing free and without hindrance.
“Keep a mind so filled with love, it resembles space” is the instruction the Buddha gave to his followers. As we separate the spiritual essentials from the spam in the messages around us, we move away from simplistic ego-attachments to an expansive loving awareness as emptiness or “space.” That mind of love is clear like space. Space to perceive what IS. Space to allow what IS. Ultimately, in the co-creation of the space (as love) that contains everything and holds everything, we can be present and become co-participants in the abundance and love that are always available to us.
Take a moment now to become aware of yourself.
- Close your eyes, breathe in deeply, and breathe out long, until you feel your mind slowing down.
- Think of one thing you are grateful to have in your life and ask: “Do I take it for granted? Do others have it? Can I bring it into my awareness as I function in my daily life?”
- If you answer, “yes,” embrace it, and gently smile; if “no,” consider breathing a little bit longer until you find something you are grateful for.
- Slowly open your eyes and smile with compassion for yourself and all beings.
Paz,
Juan