Authentic Spiritual Empowerment - Spiritual and Philosophical Musings

An authentically empowered person is humble.
This does not mean the false humility
of one who stoops to be with those who are below him or her.
It is the inclusiveness of one who responds to the beauty of each soul.
...It is the harmlessness of one who treasures, honors,
and reveres life in all its forms."

Gary Zukav

Today's musings were inspired by Shalini's response to Gary Zukav's quote in Facebook.

"Beautiful - thanks Marie - haven't read him. Must remedy that :)
To be humble, yet empowered....to treat all as equal and yet revere .... it's such a fine balancing act, isn't it?"

I think of our enlightened teachers such as the Buddha, the Christ, and the modern day sages; they are perfect examples of the "empowerment" (I actually call it freedom) that comes from the spirit and not the ego, (that is, our mind with its judgments and stories) so they do not see separation in any thing or anyone; in this state I gather, there is true humility as there is a quiet awareness that we all are in the presence of Creation. Many see God/Creator/Source as an elusive force we cannot touch, but every star, rainbow, leaf, child, man, woman, the seasons, animals, seen and unseen is Source in expression.

As my life has evolved throughout the years, and like everyone on this planet, have experienced loss of loved ones, the small and larger deaths that are part of the movement of life's constant change, I fully live with the crystal clear awareness that I am a temporary guest in this reality, and because of this...

I feel every moment is one of sacredness.

In this space of sacredness life, happens; the tears and joy, the ups and downs of our dual world. Sometimes, I feel a sadness, as I am attached to the ones I love, and to experiences I value, which I know one day will end, but most times, I stand in gratitude and awe at the wonder of it all. When we revere life, we shift our focus from the mundane with its fears, to expressing our higher traits; this involves responding spontaneously to the spirit in all. The finite mind cannot really do this, as its the nature of the mind to split, analyze, and judge especially when we are faced with what we perceive as "negative," but the limitless heart and spirit can.

I am reminded of a story of an enlightened writer and teacher, Byron Katie, who was faced with a man about to kill her, he stuck a pistol into her stomach, pulled the hammer back, and announced "I am going to kill you"; she was concerned about him, as she knew he would spend a lifetime of suffering after murdering her, and asked him kindly not to kill her, while marveling at the sight of sky, clouds, and moonlit trees, and thinking, "this is then how I am going to die" and was actually feeling joy. She waited and waited, and in the end he didn't pull the trigger. He didn't want to do this to himself.

She understood that beneath the angry, insane mind of the man, was his true nature, his soul; this is the essence she connected to, and this is the part that the man responded to. This woman is free.

To have the "empowerment" of which Gary Zukav speaks of requires courage, to let go of all our learning, and in this unlearning we acquire the clarity of Truth. I am not fully there yet, but have been blessed with meeting human beings who have.

We are more than the physical, we are freedom itself, we simply have forgotten, and I hope that in this lifetime it will be revealed to me.