Let Us Begin the Journey Home, Episode 77
Here's episode 77 of Turning Towards Life, a weekly live 30 minute conversation hosted by thirdspace coaching in which Justin Wise and Lizzie Winn dive deep into big questions of human living.
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In this week's conversation we return to a poem by Rumi that calls to these confusing and complex times. We explore together what can happen as we soften ourselves so that life, in its bigger sense, can reach us. What are the possibilities, we wonder, in seeing that we each take to be 'me' or 'us' or 'life' is always something of a misunderstanding? And if we open to a more expansive story that frees us, at least somewhat, from our grasping and our aloneness?
Perhaps, we find, there's a way that we can find ourselves deep in the midst of the sacred ordinariness of life, ready to contribute and participate without being so convinced of our smallness, separateness or fear. We recorded this conversation the midst of week of great political uncertainty here in the UK as a way of finding and remembering, together, how much more than this is always present, even though we so easily forget.
Wake Up Lovers
Wake up lovers, it is time to start the journey!
We have seen enough of this world, it is time to see another.
These two gardens may be beautiful but
let us pass beyond them and go to the Gardener.
Let us kiss the ground and flow like a river towards the ocean.
Let us go from the valley of tears to the wedding feast,
let us bring the color of blossoms to our pale faces.
Our hearts shiver like autumn leaves about to fall,
in this world of dust there is no avoiding pain or feeling exiled.
Let us become like beautifully colored birds
and fly to the sweet land of paradise.
Everything is painted with the brush of the Invisible One
let us follow the hidden signs and find the Painter.
It is best to travel with companions on this perilous journey
only love can lead the way.
We are like rain splashing on a roof let us find our way down the spout.
We are like an arched bow with the arrow in place
let us become straight and release the arrow towards the target.
We have stayed at home scared like mice
let us find our courage and join the lions.
Let our souls turn into a mirror longing to reflect the essence of Beauty.
Let us begin the journey home.
– Rumi
Photo by freddie marriage on Unsplash