It's been 6 weeks since I left the East Coast for warmer and sunnier climes. Oh, how I love the weather here, even though we had a bit of a heat wave this last week. The verdict is now in. Residing in LA has definitely cemented it for me. I'd much rather be warm than cold. Living in mild temperatures has the added bonus of not having to wear all that paraphernalia which comes along with living in cold weather. Warm coats, hats, boots, scarves, gloves, layers. Ouch, I don't ever want to live like that again. Okay, so why am I going on and on about cold versus warm?
It's the realization, we are forever striving to be "comfortable" in our own skin. I'm witness to so many folks complaining, it's either too hot or too cold. We all love the balmy 70 degree weather. If we can't live in it, we layer on as much clothing to make it seem warmer. Something about our body temperature or what we are used to feeling. But why? Maybe one of you out there will have the answer. All I can recall though is a quote from a book I had to read in school during a course on religions and I remember so well how it impressed me. "Life here is similar to a stay in an uncomfortable inn." Obviously, it was written over a hundred years ago because we refer to 'inns' as hotels/motels now. But I've noticed the truth to this statement. We are all forever trying to attain some comfort level, not just for our bodies, but our hearts and minds too. No one likes being uncomfortable.
As long as we reside in this fleshy envelope, we will always know discomfort. I am also so aware of my inner feelings and even though I can't see what is bothering me, I can sure sense something isn't right in my world. But this last weekend at a Helpers Retreat, the epiphany came, the reality of why I continue, every week, to get to my spiritual practice of the latihan of Subud and even though my outer life isn't the way I want it to be (yet), something is taking place which is beyond my expectation and another realization has been made concrete for me. No matter what I'm faced with in life, the challenges, the blessings, the heartaches, they will all pass and I know for fact I am preparing for that crossing-over, check out time, the big Aloha and this amazing gift of the latihan of Subud is what will make the transition easier and the next life better. So I'm uncomfortable for now but it will not always be the case.
In Subud we have this truly extraordinary ability to receive an answer, to any question if asked in a quiet state. My lovely sister and friend Alexandra asked a question I had on my mind alot. "If we are doing the latihan, how does it help us as we transition to the next life?"
Well, sports fans, it did it for me. We have this amazing gift which is for All Mankind and I for one am so extremely grateful. I know now why I continue to practice this exercise taking me out of myself and to an indescribable place. It's a huge preparation and admittedly I don't know a lot about the next life, even though I've had my two out of body experiences but I always had an inkling we don't really die.
Okay, enough said on the subject. I couldn't stay the whole weekend retreat and bathe in the love filling the Subud hall but this one question and answer is what I needed. We are so much more than our bodies folks. And in essence we are purely LOVE. Believe me or not. The world of course would have you feel and experience otherwise. Funny, I had no idea what I was going to write and this just poured out. Please forgive me any and all of you who don't know what Subud is, but I've been practicing for 44 now years and it's still a mystery. (she smiles here.) Wishing you all God's blessings.
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