“Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I’ll meet you there.
When the soul lies down in that grass, the world is too full to talk about. Ideas, language, even the phrase “each other” doesn’t make any sense.”
~ Rumi (13th century)
Let’s meet in this field, far away from routine.
Stop everything you’re thinking about, and just consider these words typed up on your page or screen, appearing magically, mesmerisingly in front of you in multi-colour. Did you ever think how your life is created as reality, and yet how much are you conscious of, and what is actually real?
We live inside a bubble of perception.
Everything that seems real isn’t. Everything is an illusion, and arguably the only thing “real” is the soul.
What people are seeking is seeking them. What people are seeking is inside of them already. It is waiting, it is asking them to wake up. It is tapping them on the shoulders.
What you focus on is really reality for you, but it’s not “true reality,” if there is such a thing. Absolute reality is beyond human perception.
The world I see around me is filled with people rushing around doing things, and trying so hard to make it in the world. What would happen if everything stopped—just momentarily—and everything went silent. Imagine the difference it would make.
Imagine what it would be like to live in a mindful world, where people could actually be fully present, and lend their presence to their life. Bringing the full force of mindfulness, one’s conscious awareness to each instant, would be power of such magnitude it would stop the world. And stopping the world, would change the world.
We could become aware of our choices, become aware of ourselves and how we have created our circumstances, how we are responsible for everything in our lives.
Everything we do is based on the choices we make.
The deep subconscious programs that run are consciousness that is usually beyond our awareness or conscious responsibility. These programs are often not even ours and we are probably unaware that they run our lives. We are victims of our programming to a degree. The moment you become aware of this is the moment you “wake up” and start becoming consciously aware of these programs. At that moment, one becomes responsible for one’s choices.
Everything I do is based on the choices I make. I am only responsible for how I perceive what unfolds, which I desire to be enjoyable. The more responsible I am, the better choices I will make. Choices are based on what we are aware of, which is admittedly and pitifully little.
Is there such a thing as a “victim?”
From the soul’s perspective, there are no victims.
Life isn’t always straightforward. I do not mean to diminish or neglect sufferers and the oppressed. On one hand, there are bullies and perpetrators of violence, and on the other hand, are their “victims.”
There’s a difference between blame and responsibility. Actions have consequences. A culture of taking responsibility is really the ideal, instead of being “victims.” Where there is a case of someone being bullied, it’s important to address it, and work with the bullies as well as those being bullied. Rehabilitation is the ideal. Neither a victim should be shamed, nor a perpetrator punished to an extreme. A perpetrator must learn there are consequences to his/her actions. Consequences don’t need to feel like humiliation or shame. Sensitivity is required. Call this a mindful approach.
I dream of having conscious freedom to decide, to choose my own path. True freedom is not to be free of others, it is to be free of our conditioning, the one who controls us.
To know that you are a soul—that is freedom.
Let’s choose now, together as a society, to remove blame from our emotional vocabulary.
Let’s stop blaming our parents.
Let’s stop blaming our lover, partner, children and grandchildren.
Let’s stop blaming our boss, job and economy.
Let’s stop blaming our social status, economic status, gender, age, skin color, religion and nationality.
Let’s stop blaming circumstances, or the weather conditions.
We are responsible for every choice we make, every decision, every thought, every feeling, every action.
Make that responsibility count.
Come and live fully in presence.
Come and live fully in the present.
Come and live fully in freedom.
Come and live fully…
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About the Author: David G Arenson ND
David is the founder of Shambhala Retreats. A Naturopath, Intuitive Healer and Transformational Coach, David writes and educates people internationally at some of the world’s leading retreats and resorts. Born in South Africa, his work has taken him to Australia, USA, Middle East, Asia, Caribbean since 2002. A lover of wisdom and master healer specializing in holistic wellness, his retreats and wellness programs are focused on transformation. David is committed to inspiring and empowering people to live the lives of their dreams. David’s mission via Shambhala Retreats is to guide people to places of mystery and power to rediscover, balance and ground themselves.
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