What indeed? One doesn't experience the world in the same old way, of course. In moments of quiet contemplation, guided by unwavering love, one may walk awhile again as witness to heaven on earth. Of this state I'm reminded by the following sublime account of Thomas Traherne, written in the 1600s.
The corn was orient and immortal wheat, which never should be reaped, nor was ever sown. I thought it had stood from everlasting to everlasting. The dust and stones of the street were as precious as gold: the gates were at first the end of the world.
The green trees when I saw them first through one of the gates transported and ravished me, their sweetness and unusual beauty made my heart to leap, and almost mad with ecstasy, they were such strange and wonderful things.
The Men! O what venerable and reverend creatures did the aged seem! Immortal Cherubims! And young men glittering and sparkling Angels, and maids strange seraphic pieces of life and beauty! Boys and girls tumbling in the street, and playing, were moving jewels. I knew not that they were born or should die; But all things abided eternally as they were in their proper places. Eternity was manifest in the Light of the Day, and something infinite behind everything appeared which talked with my expectation and moved my desire.
The city seemed to stand in Eden, or to be built in Heaven. The streets were mine, the temple was mine, the people were mine, their clothes and gold and silver were mine, as much as their sparkling eyes, fair skins and ruddy faces. The skies were mine, and so were the sun and moon and stars, and all the World was mine; and I the only spectator and enjoyer of it. I knew no churlish proprieties, nor bounds, nor divisions: but all proprieties and divisions were mine: all treasures and the possessors of them.
So that with much ado I was corrupted, and made to learn the dirty devices of this world. Which now I unlearn, and become, as it were, a little child again that I may enter into the Kingdom of God.
Thomas Traherne - Centuries of Meditations
Traherne's recollections of childhood and the purity of his vision are exquisite. But there are also voices in this world crying out for more human examples of love; as well as those understanding the nobility of our human purpose.
With folded hands I beseech
The Conquerors who wish to pass away,
To please remain for countless aeons
And not to leave the world in darkness.
Thus by the virtue collected
Through all that I have done,
May the pain of every living creature
Be completely cleared away.
8th Century Bodhisattva prayer, from the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, Dharamsala.
If more people had their own immersion in grace, this world would be transformed. But love in the world will remain in scant supply as long as the overwhelming majority of adults continue searching exclusively outside themselves for a source, or give up on the search altogether.
But not only love. In consumer societies we are under constant assault with notions of our inner lack. We're taught to look outside themselves for everything: beauty, freedom, self-worth, love, peace, healing, purpose and work.
Thinking about this, I sought to remind a broader audience of the spiritual inheritance we bring into the world as children, in our individuality and love, before it tends to be conditioned out of us.
To this end I've written a fable called The Story of Solomon Bear. If you've appreciated my account, I invite you to read it.
In some ways it's a highly polished retelling of what you've read here. But Solomon Bear is more subtle and more subversive. Sometimes only a teddy bear, or a child's love, can hope to creep under the radar of the adult ego. If you appreciated the subversive charm of The Little Prince, you'll enjoy Solomon Bear. But be warned. It's unashamedly sentimental, for Solomon gives voice to both grief and hope, not only for an individual lost, but for a whole generation.
You can find The Story of Solomon Bear as paperback and e-book at Amazon worldwide, including Amazon USA, UK, CAN & AU.
The first chapter can be read freely there if you wish to see its style, and there are reviews if you're curious how it's been received. More independent reviews here at Goodreads.
The least of things with a meaning is worth more in life than the greatest of things without it.
Carl Jung
An opportunity to give back
Donations & Patronage
This written account is the result of many years of work alone. Very few people have found worth in my narrative. In an ego-driven, material world, that's no surprise. It doesn't make some of the sharing any less valuable.
There's still much more to polish and share. Perhaps the most important things remain to be written: the inner questions and understanding that lead towards the Light. What's sometimes difficult is facing pressure to put the writing aside, to conform and compete within Australian consumer society, in order to have the barest of minimums to survive.
That can be hard to fathom. For the vast majority of our material society is not concerned about fulfilling our most basic needs, but instead whole commercial industries are dedicated to creating the illusion of needs within us. Stepping into that void created in the soul is a never ending cycle of consumption and waste.
I believe it's valuable - essential - some of us still stand apart from this and share what we know. And surely it's vital other ways to love are demonstrated, within our very humanity, outside all existing doctrine and religious frameworks.
Your donation or patronage will help sustain my humble independent life, in the world but not of it, writing, thinking, questioning, and encouraging others in their own unique journeys of forgiveness, discovery, self-expression and love.
Thanks for supporting my independent voice in the world.
This above all: to thine own self be true.
And it must follow, as night follows day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.
Shakespeare
How to donate
I've set up a donations page at Ko-fi (pronounced 'coffee'), a secure, and easy-to-use online payment system.
Please donate whatever you wish, either once off, or as a patron with a periodic monthly donation. Everything, even a monthly contribution of $20, will make a difference and be appreciated.
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It takes two to speak the truth - one to speak and another to hear.
Henry Thoreau