Yes. I have experienced that place of total rest.. being held in a state where I rested in the arms of the Divine…and knowing the Divine presence was within me.
My first awareness of a spiritual life, was as a small child before school age, riding my little tricycle, talking to spirit.. With such clarity in my mind. An acceptance, that I would never walk alone, to always have protection, a spirit, side by side 🕊️❤️🕊️
Thank you for this encouragement for further exploration & deeper reflection & discovery! As an artist, your words spring off of the screen in a kaleidoscope of rotating imagery in my mind. For me, this moment can only be described as such through the use of metaphor to be compared to a candle flame.
A candle first lit, burns bright at the start but then falls back into itself & begins to burn low & slowly as if sipping off of the pooling wax around it.... confined to burn within the constraints of form. Eventually, little flame's light becomes too hot for the form to hold and the wax begins to melt away; running down the sides of the candle & exposing more of the wick. The little flame catches on & begins to climb upward & outward; the wax melting away faster & faster. Expanding & stretching ever brighter, little flame feels the soft whisper of air as it whispers in its ear, "Remember.... You are FIRE."
Your prompt to share "moments when you felt the world received you beyond yourself" requires a bit more contemplation though... at the moment, I am caught up in the idea that others/the world outside of me can only view me thru the lens of their limited perceptions & based upon their own personal experiences. I don't see how anyone could ever truly view me as "me" in all of my muchness - much less beyond.
I have, however, recently discovered where I had been very much attached to the stories of my life that have shaped me to who I am today. I had become great at compartmentalizing all of the painful moments into neat little boxes to be unpacked in a brilliant display of "show & tell" anytime someone asked me to share my story. I now see that my story no longer defines - or I should say... it no longer confines me. I will continue to tell the story, if asked... but only from the light of the victor who transcended the story as a means to help encourage others to do the same.
I know you need to live but I think taking away your visual videos etc after forming an attachment to you has been hard and then any connection is a paid subscription, has been tough!
Some years ago I went cycling in the polder on a quiet small road. Not far from the last farm suddenly I became overwhelmed with so much sky around me. I seemed to dissolve in that sky, the road disappeared, nothing mattered anymore. Just the sky and with my senses wide open I was being absorbed in that moment.
To awake .. to .. these words which ring and resound .. starting with a whisper ., the laying down of a name ., Fits the silence of solitude.. where canvas and brushes are your only friends .., the soft eyes of stray
cats who sit at your side ..The sky still dark ., the world of leaves and oceans sodden and silent.
My flame of gratitude burns brightly .,A deep sigh ., as I breathe out .clouds of fears and inner nonsense..
This poem whispers of that tender space just between holding on and letting go, between knowing and unknowing. What does it mean for you to soften into being? Have you ever glimpsed that place where the “self” dissolves and something greater remembers you? Let’s explore together, share your experience, your questions, or the moments when you felt the world receive you beyond yourself. Ben
Hope you are well Ben. 🙏🏼💕
Such beautiful truth 💗
Yes. I have experienced that place of total rest.. being held in a state where I rested in the arms of the Divine…and knowing the Divine presence was within me.
The more I read this, the more beautiful it becomes.
It’s hard for me to put my reflections into words❤️
My first awareness of a spiritual life, was as a small child before school age, riding my little tricycle, talking to spirit.. With such clarity in my mind. An acceptance, that I would never walk alone, to always have protection, a spirit, side by side 🕊️❤️🕊️
Thank you for this encouragement for further exploration & deeper reflection & discovery! As an artist, your words spring off of the screen in a kaleidoscope of rotating imagery in my mind. For me, this moment can only be described as such through the use of metaphor to be compared to a candle flame.
A candle first lit, burns bright at the start but then falls back into itself & begins to burn low & slowly as if sipping off of the pooling wax around it.... confined to burn within the constraints of form. Eventually, little flame's light becomes too hot for the form to hold and the wax begins to melt away; running down the sides of the candle & exposing more of the wick. The little flame catches on & begins to climb upward & outward; the wax melting away faster & faster. Expanding & stretching ever brighter, little flame feels the soft whisper of air as it whispers in its ear, "Remember.... You are FIRE."
Your prompt to share "moments when you felt the world received you beyond yourself" requires a bit more contemplation though... at the moment, I am caught up in the idea that others/the world outside of me can only view me thru the lens of their limited perceptions & based upon their own personal experiences. I don't see how anyone could ever truly view me as "me" in all of my muchness - much less beyond.
I have, however, recently discovered where I had been very much attached to the stories of my life that have shaped me to who I am today. I had become great at compartmentalizing all of the painful moments into neat little boxes to be unpacked in a brilliant display of "show & tell" anytime someone asked me to share my story. I now see that my story no longer defines - or I should say... it no longer confines me. I will continue to tell the story, if asked... but only from the light of the victor who transcended the story as a means to help encourage others to do the same.
Many blessings <3
I know you need to live but I think taking away your visual videos etc after forming an attachment to you has been hard and then any connection is a paid subscription, has been tough!
Sent to Patti’s Daughter Paris♥️
Some years ago I went cycling in the polder on a quiet small road. Not far from the last farm suddenly I became overwhelmed with so much sky around me. I seemed to dissolve in that sky, the road disappeared, nothing mattered anymore. Just the sky and with my senses wide open I was being absorbed in that moment.
To awake .. to .. these words which ring and resound .. starting with a whisper ., the laying down of a name ., Fits the silence of solitude.. where canvas and brushes are your only friends .., the soft eyes of stray
cats who sit at your side ..The sky still dark ., the world of leaves and oceans sodden and silent.
My flame of gratitude burns brightly .,A deep sigh ., as I breathe out .clouds of fears and inner nonsense..
The fragrance of your words is mine.
This poem whispers of that tender space just between holding on and letting go, between knowing and unknowing. What does it mean for you to soften into being? Have you ever glimpsed that place where the “self” dissolves and something greater remembers you? Let’s explore together, share your experience, your questions, or the moments when you felt the world receive you beyond yourself. Ben
Thank you Ben for these words.. It encourages so much thought.. It’s good to read your work.
Despite.. A busy life of support for others, in our daily lives. The community, families and the elderly require support.
missing your wisdom’s. Hope that you are strong and well & just breathing our for the moment♥️🫀🙏💃🏽
Lovely poem. Thank you for sharing.