image credit: alicepopkorn
The message on the little slip of paper that was attached to the string of my tea bag said, “The universe is the stage upon which you dance, guided by your heart.” A big message from a cup of morning tea; tea for thought for the rest of my life! So I have been thinking about it, that we each create the universe that we live in. For many of us, it seems that it all happens to us haphazardly where we have no control, much less room to guide the universe by our hearts. A life lived consciously would reveal that though we may not have control over what happens to us, the way we relate to what happens, determines the life we have. Indeed, we can dance upon the stage of our lives celebrating the drama and be its co-creator.
When Chuang Tzu’s wife died, his friend Hui Tzu came to convey his condolences and found Chuang Tzu beating on his drum and singing. Hui Tzu scolded him, “… Isn’t that a bit too much.” Chuang Tzu replied, “…Death and life are like the natural cycle of the four seasons, my dead wife is now resting between heaven and earth. If I wail at the top of my voice to express my grief, it would certainly show a failure to understand what is fated. Therefore I stopped.” Like Chuang Tzu we would be wise to “beat our drum and sing” instead of wailing about the hand that life has dealt us. On the spiritual healing journey, it takes skillful means to find that balance in the in between place where we are still reeling from the blows of circumstance and becoming centered.
In Spanda-karikas a Shaivite text it says, “When one is in extreme anger or experiences surpassing joy, or is in a state of impasse, not knowing what to do, or has to flee for his life, then in that (supremely intensive) state (of mind) is established the Spanda principle, the creative pulsation the divine consciousness.”
We can use our misfortunes to become aware of truth. Working with the Spanda principle, the creative pulsation of the divine consciousness, at difficult times in our lives is a skillful means towards becoming centered. This is why meditation is such an important tool for the spiritual seeker. In practicing meditation, one becomes adept at recognizing the pulsation, the throb of consciousness that is the source from which all our creativity, all our thoughts, and our emotions arise. All of creation, the form and the formless is derived from this pulsation of energy. This is why when we witness our thoughts and emotions, not clinging to them, they dissolve again into their source, the pulsating creative energy or Spanda. We can then rest in its spaciousness. This Spanda is experienced as a feeling of deep peace, or joy or light. There is a quality of subtle vibration, it is this vibration or movement that arises as thoughts, feelings and images.
When we are in the in between place, we can work with strong emotions, holding them in awareness and letting them subside into the ocean of consciousness from which they arise. Chuang Tzu was wise in beating his drum and singing after his wife died. When we can make space for the emotions that arise in times of sorrow through doing something creative, it is conducive to encountering the pulsating throb of consciousness into which we offer our pain. There are many ways to do this, through writing, painting, dancing, kneading dough, chopping wood, weeding or whatever activity in which we can become lost, where our minds can rest and allow us to dive into the ocean of consciousness.
Whatever means we engage in, when emotions arise, let go of the thoughts you have about it, let go of the story-line. Focus purely on the energy of the emotion and the feeling in your body. Notice the sensations of it and the location. As you focus on this experience also become aware of the spaciousness of being, and hold your experience of the emotion within this awareness. Watch as the emotions slowly begin to dissolve, and you become totally immersed in the bliss of whatever you are doing.
When we think of it, all of life is the “In between place.” We are forever having to come back to center, we all, at various times experience grief over the death of something, someone, some job, a relationship, moving to a new home or town and the general uncertainty of life. We are always caught in change, and moving forward makes us feel alive. To resist change and hold on to what is dying or dead is to be cut off from the ever creative flow of the the dance of consciousness.
Choosing to open our hearts to whatever appears on the stage of our universe will allow us to dance with joy and freedom.
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Beauty Miruh! The fine subtle line, in between place as you mention is what the sages talk about as samadhi, equanimity. When the intellect responds from that state of equanimity, the source shines beyond the extremes of experiences .
Miruh, you perfectly described that silent feeling of meditation with this phrase: “one becomes adept at recognizing the pulsation, the throb of consciousness that is the source from which all our creativity, all our thoughts, and our emotions arise”
Thank you for your guidance in letting emotions disappear, it is a practice I will definitely employ. This post is beautiful, I can feel it coming from your heart, given in the spirit of peace and love – Thank you for that too.
Nicole
Hi Miruh,
This post reminds me of The Space Between by The Dave Matthews Band.
“You cannot quit me so quickly
There’s no hope in you for me
No corner you could squeeze me
But I got all the time for you, love
The Space Between
The tears we cry
Is the laughter keeps us coming back for more
The Space Between
The wicked lies we tell
And hope to keep safe from the pain…”
That space is sacred and in it we have let go and be guided into the effervescent mystery. Life is a continuous classroom.
great post, and i love that picture!!!
Hello Merging Point,
Yes, the space between the breaths, between the thoughts, are doorways to the divine. A simple practice yet the mind makes it so elusive.
Thanks for sharing your wisdom.
Namaste!
Hello Nicole,
I too love that phrase, “the throb of consciousness.” It so aptly describes the state of aliveness that is at the heart of meditation.
This exercise in working with difficult emotions is often described in self-help books. The added information on the spanda principle makes it clear for me, how it works.
Thanks for your kind comment. When others get something from these posts, it reminds me that blogging is a unique gift to give and receive from a world community.
Love and blessings!
Hello Alexys,
Beautiful lyrics! I love these words:
The Space Between
The tears we cry
Is the laughter keeps us coming back for more…
Funny how most of us want to run away from that place, and keep busy, but until we sit with it, we don’t get to be on the other side, the peace and the joy.
Thanks for dropping by and sharing these lovely words.
Deep peace to you my friend!
Hello Lisa,
Glad you like the post. The image is brilliant isn’t it? Alice is so playful in her work.
Love and blessings!
I love the picture, Miruh. And the post. I must try and find those teabags with the messages on them!
I love this story because it illustrates such an obvious however forgotten truth. We must be aware and understand the purpose behind all real and perceived loss. Thank you, this was an excellent post. I am thankful to be your student today.
Hello Marion,
When I saw this image I thought it was perfect for illustrating my post, then I saw the title, Dreaming Of Home and knew that it was the one. It has so many symbols that speaks directly to the unconscious.
Yes, the messages on the tea bags of Yogi Teas are fun, like a fortune cookie with a spiritual message.
Glad you like the post, it is one of my favorites too.
Love and blessings!
Hello Mark,
This story about Chuang Tzu captures the essence of Taoist philosophy, living in the flow of the way things are, to be joyful and free.
I am glad you find it inspiring. I feel fortunate to have had contact with these teachings and to share them with others.
Deep peace to you!
There is also the idea that self-reflection enables one to reframe every experience as meaningful. Thus words, like “misfortune” or “hardship” dissolve and fade away out of yoru scope of awareness. Love te references to spiritual teachers and timeless wsidom. Peace.
Hello Liara,
I agree, reframing is a way of perceiving all that comes to us as a gift.
Thanks for bringing up that point.
Love and blessings!
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