I realized meditation was not about chasing states of consciousness or following a path, but about letting go of the path. It's a long journey to realize there's no path.
- Peter Russell
I find this passage in the latest issue of Ode Magazine, in an article entitled "Good Morning World, This is Your Wake-up Call," about physicist-turned-futurist Peter Russell. Letting go of the path resonates for me now that I am in my middle years. I take quiet comfort in these words, while letting out a deep sigh. I can't articulate to myself why these words settle so deliberately deep inside of me. My analytical mind wants to know why, while I hear my spirit say it doesn't matter.
Yet I do know that it is in the letting go, the allowing, the focus on the now moment that I, we, can experience real peace, true contentment, joy,happiness . . . rather than through the material consumption we believe will give us these. Not having to be on a path feels liberating!
Speaking of now, you'll find Peter Russell's site The Spirit of Now filled with a wealth of resources ranging from science and consciousness, spiritual awakening, earth and environment, and meditations. The site offers articles, audio, and video, including meditations that can be downloaded. I learned there that I am 21,015 days old - and you can learn your age in days here.
For an additional perspective on paths - see Dick Richard's recent post The Mythic Pull of Pathways.
"Not having to be on a path feels liberating!'
"Not having to be on a path" can become a path itself unless we do as you say Debbie: let go of striving in favor of peace now.
Love the photo.
Posted by: Dick Richards | February 23, 2009 at 06:30 PM
Dick - perhaps it is the reminder to let go that feels liberating!
Thanks for the compliment on the photo - If my memory serves me, I took that pic on a hike around the Biltmore Gardens in North Carolina.
Posted by: Deb Call | February 23, 2009 at 10:23 PM
I think that's it Deb: the reminder to let go. Can't get enough of those reminders!
Posted by: Dick Richards | February 24, 2009 at 11:33 AM