It’s an oppressive myth to think that you have to get away, that you can only find God or Oneness or enlightenment in the mountains or the desert or in solemn meditation. Or that you have to be alone to find it. It’s oppressive because it sets external conditions on your feeling of connection. It suggests you have to get away from people to find peace.
Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido, said, “Heaven is right where you are standing.”
Rumi says, “There are a thousand ways to kneel and kiss the ground. There are a thousand ways to go home again.”
We’re all about pulling opposites together (pulling everything together) into a single whole.
Where can you find Spirit in a city? In the people.
Ring our humanity. Relate. Resonate. Discover that everybody, everywhere, from New York to Iran to the West Bank, is just like us. It’s all us. Discover our beauty.
Find the bridges that bring us together, even in the city.
I recently took a trip to Amsterdam and Paris.
Being in a two cities that where foriegn to me, as well as the language and customs, I found it challenging to feel grounded through out the day.
While I did not always feel connected during my visit, there were moments when connection would happen, help with directions, a cup of coffee at a cafe, playing drums together, being sung happy birthday from a group of strangers, being invited to share a meal, having a conversation where the other party takes the time to translate to for meaningful conversation. People are the heart of a city.
Thanks so much for your comment, Francine! I think it’s in the little things, the personal moments, that we make the connection with other people. Sounds like you had a beautiful trip! And a wonderful way to celebrate your birthday!!