 "Without the rain, there would be no rainbow." - Gilbert K. Chesterton What is it about rainbows that always makes you smile? Maybe it’s the dazzling array of color being vividly displayed in a giant arch across the sky. Or maybe, on a deeper level, you understand the metaphor that rainbows only appear when there is rain. In life, there can't be 'good 'experiences without there also being 'bad' ones. It’s like how you can’t experience light without darkness. How you wouldn’t be able to appreciate peace without noise, or relaxation without tension. How would you even know that you are happy, for example, if you had never experienced unhappiness?
Rainbows are also impermanent. They are as beautiful as they are rare, appearing like a miracle in the sky and then fading away. You never really know how long rainbows will last, or if how long it will be before you see another one, so you really appreciate them while they are here. Come to think of it, life is also a miracle that only lasts for a limited time. Just like a rainbow, our impermanence is what makes our time here so precious. So, live your life like there is a rainbow in the sky, savoring the beauty of the experience while it lasts.
3 Comments
 “The still waters of a lake reflect the beauty all around it. When the mind is still, the beauty of the self is reflected in it.” - B.K.S. Iyengar You often hear that meditation is the key to spiritual growth. But, have you ever wondered why? What is the link between meditation and spirituality? What is the point of spending time sitting still with your eyes closed, simply breathing in and out? Especially when you could be doing something more productive like exercising or checking emails. This week’s quote helps to illustrate the link between mind and spirit, by pointing out that, when the mind is still, it reflects the beauty of the self.
Think of meditation as your opportunity to still the waters of your mind. Don’t worry about what the point is, or that perhaps this is all a waste of time, because those are both just thoughts, just more waves in the waters of your mind. Notice your thoughts as they come and go but do not get caught up in them. Identify instead with the ever present witness, the awareness in the background of your mind that notices your thoughts taking place. That calm, silent witness between waves of thought is your true self. Simply breathe and let the mind be still. Just like a lake, when the mind is still, it becomes a mirror- capable of reflecting the beauty of existence, both within and without.  "The ripple effect stemming from a single act of love might be infinite in reach.” -Narissa Doumani If you throw a stone into calm water, it will produce a series of ripples that travel infinitely outward in all directions. Similarly, the actions that you take in daily life can have far reaching consequences that you might never be fully aware of. A simple act of kindness can produce a positive ripple effect that echoes throughout time. On the other hand, an act of hatred can send negative ripples out into the world which can have a far greater impact than you realize. Knowing this, it is your responsibility to create more positive ripples in this world than negative ones.
How can you accomplish this? Start with being kind to yourself. After all, your actions are a direct reflection of your emotional state. If you are feeling negative inside, then you are much more likely to behave negatively in the world. By practicing self-love, you establish an inner harmony that radiates from your being. The other way to create more positive ripples in this world is by being kind to others. A smile, a compliment or a helping hand can mean the world to someone in need of a pick me up. The idea is that your kindness will inspire others to also act kindly- which will then inspire even more kindness. So, make as many ripples as you can while you are here, knowing that each little ripple of positivity that you create has the potential to become a tsunami. |
AuthorNick Hughes is a massage therapist, yoga instructor and co-owner of Well Being. Influenced by the ideas of Alan Watts, Eckhart Tolle and Deepak Chopra, Nick presents his unique take on human existence with the goal of helping others live a happier life. Archives
June 2022
Categories |
RSS Feed