 “The Earth is you. You are the Earth. When you realize there is no separation, you fall completely in love with this planet.” ~Thich Nhat Hanh This week’s quote is a simple reminder that, since the Earth is beautiful, then so are you. This idea rests on the notion that you are not separate from the environment, rather you and the world are one and the same. The water in your blood, the calcium in your bones, the salt in your tears- they didn’t just appear out of nowhere, they are derived from the Earth. You are not just a guest here on this planet, you are this planet.
While this sounds like a bit of a cliché, there is also some truth to it. Human beings are kind of like the Earth’s nerve cells. The reason you can sense things like hot and cold or rough and smooth is because there are millions of tiny nerve cells in your skin that sense pain, pressure, temperature, and texture. You also have specialized nerves that help you see, hear, taste and smell. These individual nerve cells are not separate from your body, they are your body. In the same way, you are not separate from the Earth, you are the Earth. There is no real separation between you and your physical environment. You might think that everything inside of your skin is you, whereas everything that you encounter on the outside of your skin is not you- it’s something other than you. But inside and outside are just concepts, just two aspects of the same thing. As Alan Watts once said, “you can’t have an inside without an outside, just as you can’t have solid without space.” So, take a moment today to appreciate the beauty of the world. And smile inwardly, recognizing that what you are really looking at is you.
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 “To offer no resistance to life is to be in a state of grace, ease, and lightness.” ~Eckhart Tolle This week’s quote is a reminder that your inner resistance is the only thing stopping you from experiencing joy in this moment. Of course, putting this lesson into practice is easier said than done. It’s like recognizing that your excess muscle tension is the only thing preventing you from feeling relaxed right now. Or that holding your breath is the only thing preventing you from breathing deeply and fully. In either case, the solution is to let go of your inner resistance. How do you do this? By entering into a state of grace.
Being in a state of grace involves surrendering to the inevitable ebbs and flows of existence. But grace is so much more than that. For example, when someone accepts an award with grace they do so from a place of gratitude and humility. When someone dances with grace, they move fluidly and with precision, embodying both beauty and ease as they move through space. In contrast, dancing ungracefully involves making sudden, herky-jerky movements that lack any kind of finesse. Therefore, living in a state of grace means being kind and humble as you move harmoniously through the world with an unshakeable sense of inner calm. Being in a state of grace also means that you recognize the innate beauty of the world and have a heartfelt appreciation for the small joys and wonders of everyday existence. It’s a fortunate feeling, as if the whole universe is conspiring in your favor. It’s like the feeling you get when you are driving through town and every light turns green as soon as you reach the intersection. Or when you pull into a crowded parking lot and there is a space just for you. Grace is not only a recognition that life is a blessing, it’s also a recognition that you are blessed. So, whatever it is you have to do today, try doing it with grace. Simply by dropping all forms of resistance, you will naturally find harmony within. |
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About The AuthorNick Hughes is a massage therapist, yoga instructor and co-owner of Well Being. Influenced by the ideas of Alan Watts, Eckhart Tolle, Ram Dass, and Deepak Chopra, Nick presents his unique take on human existence with the goal of helping others live a happier life. Archives
February 2025
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