~we are trees planted in
two worlds
the upper world of wind
and spirit
the lower world of earth
and flesh
we do not walk between
them
they both exist in us~
If we could view the underworld of many
trees on earth, where their root systems branch down and out in
similar fashion to it's above ground nature of spreading up and out,
we would often see a near mirror image reflected below as it is
above. Like two trees united on a single trunk, one with arms
reaching higher, dressed in leaves to soak in air and cosmic
particles from sun and stars; and the arms of the other reaching
deeper and deeper with hair-like roots to drink in water and mineral.
 | ||
| Wind/Spirit are the same words in Hebrew. Man/Earth (adamah) are the same words too. |
A serious problem is that many are
nearly only conscious of the lower realm of flesh, it's the stream
all their thoughts, motives and desires run in. Conversely, there are others who try to shun and deny as
much as possible the lower realm of their existence; living in ultra
asceticism like some monkish gnostic types, who see their physical
nature not as a good thing but as a hindrance to be transcended beyond.
Both of these extremes are out of harmony with what we were created
to be, spirits having a physical experience.
Losing a balanced perspective of either
our vitality suffers, and tragically our purpose lays unfulfilled.
It is possible to either do too much or too little in this life, to
live busy lives lacking intention, unconsciously. Live for the flesh
and we will be governed by what they call the reptilian brain focused
on survival, missing completely the intangible beauty contained in
the treasure of an awareness of our higher nature. i think we as
people hunger for a healthy spiritual life, and that hunger is often
misinterpreted by our carnality that seeks constantly -yet ever
unsuccessfully- to fill the void with the material world. But if we
spend decades up a mountain trying to be “one with the universe”
or whatever, on some solo quest to hit the jackpot on ultimate
inner tranquility, we'd still miss it.. there's a lot of real good work we'd leave undone,
a lot of suffering we could have helped alleviate, a lot of need we
could have addressed, a lot of love we could have spread to a hurting
planet of people.. or maybe not “a lot” but even a little would have meant
a lot to the one on the receiving end of our effort.
Recognizing this dual nature has
enlightened my understanding on the significance of prayer and
meditation. i've discovered that this is why meditation and prayer
are so important; because it pulls us from the lower to the higher
realm. Prayer is communicating with our life's Source, our Abba, our
Creator, the Existing One. Meditation is taking time to check out
from all the materialism and stuff of life and just being, not
doing for a time. i've see such a huge difference when i take
time for both, i have more peace, more focus, more contentment, less
fear, less anxiety, less stress.. it's so worth it.
To clarify, when i say meditation i'm not speaking
of the common trendy type of meditation of attempting to blank out
the mind by chanting, omming or other self-hypnotic methods, but
rather of spending quiet times of simply being still in body, mind
and spirit. Practicing staying in the now, feeling self resting
in the body, breathing; being still, not carried off elsewhere in
thought or imagination. Becoming an objective observer of what comes
to mind and bringing it into the light of awareness and then letting
it go.
This idea of us being trees in two
worlds came about on a recent Shabbat day during time spent pondering
things big and small. i present it here because i found the concept
interesting and decided to share. Obviously i'm not an authority on matters of spirit and mind, and clearly this is not an exhaustive
piece on the subject.. basically i'm just an ordinary girl who
wonders about stuff. i mean no disrespect or insult to anyone whose opinions on prayer and meditation may be different.
Peace to you all.
Glory to Yah.
♥
