We have been living with an illusion: that we are separate.
Whenever we experience pain or sadness, it is because we have become separated from what, or whom, we love. And whenever we are inspired or joyful, it is because we are one with what, or whom, we love. All human challenges and successes can be explained through this awareness.
“If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten we belong to each other.” – Mother Teresa
When we are in love with someone, it is as if we are one: two souls, one flame. That is because we are.
When we love doing something, or something makes our hearts soar, we feel as if we are one with it, because we are.
When we ache over the imperiled state of nature or the rising level of violence in the world, we ache because we feel the same pain. We share it because we are one.
Imagine a bright, sunny day. You are relaxing at your favorite sidewalk bistro. The enticing shrimp cocktail you ordered arrives, and you marvel at its beauty and presentation. As you relish the gift of brilliance from your chef, your mind wanders. You ask yourself the question that often crosses your mind when you encounter creativity, excellence, or mastery: “How do they do that?” In this case, you wonder, “Where did this food come from? What did it take to prepare it so beautifully? Who was involved in making this special treat?” In your reverie, you are transported far away, to seafaring nations and peoples. More than a billion people reside within 100 miles of the ocean, from which many of them derive their livelihoods, while all depend on a measure of stability between sea and land.
World shrimp production has ballooned from 2.9 million metric tons to 4.5 million in the past 15 years alone, with Asian production leading the world. Thailand, now the largest producer, earns $2 billion annually from its shrimping industry. America imports 88 percent of the $4 billion it spends on shrimp, and prices have dropped by 50 percent in the past ten years. Half of the shrimp production is farmed. Fishing nations have mastered shrimp farming so well that it now accounts for 50 percent of world production. The shrimp offered in restaurants and food stores today costs only a dollar a pound to produce.
But to create shrimp farms, it is necessary to remove mangroves. Mangroves once covered more than three-quarters of the world’s tropical coastline. Today, they cover less than 37 percent. Just 50 years ago, the shores along the rim of the Indian Ocean were ringed with endless acres of mangroves—swampy rainforests hugging the edges of both land and sea. Mangroves are storehouses of biodiversity, home to the world’s richest variety of salt-tolerant trees, ferns, and shrubs. Hundreds of different birds live in the mangroves, which also shelter migratory species. Mangroves are rich in sea life, including plankton, mollusks, and shell- and finfish. They are well-populated with crocodiles, monkeys, wild cats, lizards, and sea turtles.
As the region’s developing countries have expanded and diversified their economies, protective reefs, sand dunes, and mangroves along coastlines have been steadily removed. In the past few decades, more than 30 percent of the world’s mangrove forests, covering tens of thousands of miles of coastline, have been destroyed to make room for shrimp farms. Shrimp farming has resulted in beaches being cleared of mangroves and in an enormous rise of tourism, hotels, big cities, and other coastal developments.
On their way to their fishing boats early on the morning of December 26, 2004, fishermen noticed an odd absence of the usual wildlife found along their paths, but paid little attention to it. As they began trawling, there seemed to be an extraordinary abundance of fish: mackerel, squid, red snapper, sardines, and white snapper. They had never seen such profusion or diversity. In fact, yellow catfish, tiger fish, and other species not usually seen in these waters were, for the first time, remarkably abundant.
On that morning, fishermen long used to variable fishing conditions were giddy with excitement, hauling in their catch as fast as they could, convinced that their singular luck could not last for long.
During the previous three weeks, there had been a strange and total absence of fish, and the ocean had become unusually deep. And at this moment, very strangely, the tide seemed to be receding further and faster than they had ever seen before. Coral reefs appeared in only four meters of water where the sea was normally 20 meters deep. Something odd was happening. The tide was supposed to be coming in, but it was going out. Nobody on the beach was paying attention, but a kilometer of sand had replaced the space where normally there was sea. Fishing boats were sitting on wet sand.
In the distance, perhaps a kilometer away, a large wave could be seen—angular, black, and moving very, very fast. After the tsunami hit, 300,000 people died. In the ensuing chaos and destruction, one million jobs were lost in Indonesia and Sri Lanka alone.
Fewer casualties were experienced where mangrove forests remained, for example in Pichavaram and Muthupet, in South India. Close to the epicenter of the tsunami, on Nias Island, Indonesia, people were protected by mangroves. Burma and the Maldives suffered less damage because their shrimp and tourism industries had not yet removed the mangroves and coral reefs.
Sitting in the bistro, you might think that a shrimp cocktail, world shrimp prices, friends on vacation, unemployment, the silence of animals, mangroves, tsunamis, and death and destruction in 12 different countries were all separate events. But we are part of one universal web. All these parts are intimately, exquisitely, and invisibly connected—they are one.
What I have described above is far from being a complete review of all the possible impacts and outcomes of nations hungry for shrimp, and we may never even know or make the connections necessary to identify them all. But we can become more aware of the notion of oneness and live our lives in a way that recognizes the sacred connections between everything and considers the implications of all our actions on the whole.
When we lead from this place in our hearts, it shows.
It feels good to be playing some part in raising consciousness of myself and hopefully others. How else can we possibly address these huge issues that our world and its inhabitants are facing. It is certainly not possible to continue on this path. I am committed to being part of the solution by raising my own awareness.
Thank you, Lance, for helping remind me how we are connected and how intricate is the web of life. I’ve spent a fair amount of time this year thinking about how the money I earn goes to kill people half-a-world away (through the taxes I pay). It’s been a very challenging time for me attempting to find ways to live my values–very much the CASTLE Principles–and be a law-abiding citizen. I’m not to any different decision yet, though I’m glad to have more food for thought and more stories to open my heart.
Much love to you and all out there. May we find many powerful ways to be ONE in the world.
Shonnie
Thank you Lance!
Again you have reminded me of how the world is really ONE, and how everything we do, or not do, has an impact on someone else.
It’s so easy to become selfish, but be selfless is really what will make the world a better place.
Much love to everyone,
Karen
I’m experiencing my growth with and in the Oneness through the doctorate program, at Wisdom University, in Creation Spirituality. I’m hearing this context and way of being from several unrealted sources (i.e. Andrew Cohen) and find comfort in the support I receive as a result.
The being in Oneness by journeying in the process of becoming; becoming fully human, becoming fully authentic; becoming loving in relation with those around me, opens my heart to being in and with my spirit, soul and the “Bigger One”. As I increase these experiences, my ableness to include others increases; my willingness to be in courage and to stand in my beliefs without making others wrong increases. I find some become more attracted to being with me, and others, draw away; as though I am in a ballet, a dance in which the dancers move about each other as needs and gifts are connected. Now to hear the music.
Thank you, Lance for your continuing work and articulation of what has been unsaid for so long.
I am a firm believer in the principle of One. It is a spiritual fact and a physical fact. The physical world is often so overpowering it is difficult to maintain the necessary concentration to perceive the spiritual fact and it is so varied in form that it is difficult to perceive the physical aspect.
This story attempts to explore this fact by presenting a possible causual connection between mangroves and the high tsunami deaths. I am very interested in these sorts of stories and often find myself trying to use them to convince others (less believing of oneness) of our ultimate unity. In so doing, I often am challenged to support my stories with so called scientific evidence.
It can also be very healing to study the natural phenomena behind the so called mangrove protection.
Have there been studies on this that inspired this story? Can you provide the sources and/or any published scientific explanations?
It would also be interesting to explore possible original causes of the tsunami itself in terms of the oneness theme…
I would like to
At a time when many have given up because of the over-whelming issues at hand , I thank you Lance for stepping up to the challenge to live consciously aware of how our actions impact nature, life on our beloved planet and the importance of how we live with one another. I was not aware of the impact that the elimination of mangroves had on the biodiversity and sustainability of so many species. I am honored to support the emergence of One as a vehicle for co-creating conscious leadership.
Blessings, Barb Walley
What an amazing message to start the week!!!
I am so thrilled to participate in this effort and bring ONE to some of my very major corporate clients. I’ve already gotten in touch with 27 team leads within Booz Allen Hamilton who are eager for the book to appear in their hands this April.
Cheers,
Jim Jenkins
Lance
Thank you for the clear and vivid reminder of how absolutely every sinlge thing and action is CONNECTED.
I often reflect upon the abundance that we enjoy in North America and the lack, poverty and sufferring that billions of people experience everyday around the world. People who have lost all hope and who are just surviving from day to day. We occassionally know the emotional pain that we experience during those ‘loss of hope’ periods in our lives, imagine theirs- 100x worse and continous. And I ask myself “what can I do that can have some positive impact on their lives, giving them a bit more hope and a higher quality of life?” I can support World Vision kids around the world, I can make donations to relief organizations and diaster response sitiuations, I can give my time and energy on mission trips, I can encourage many others to find ways that they can contribute to helping others in need.
Each of us can have a positive impact on the well being of 100s of others. So I encourage you to reflect deeply upon the same question “what can I do that can have some positive impact on 100s of others?”
Dear Lance
As always, you have the gift of telling me and the world deep truth. For me you do this in a way that changes my consciousness and inspires my soul. Your books always inform me and at the same time challenge me to do more….learn more….pray more…and love more.
Thanks you for all you are doing.
Namasate
Diane
We find that in the oneness Lance describes, there was never a need to compromise abundance with a pristine and sustainable earth, the earth will co-creatively produce abundance along with us, we just needed to tap in. Thanks to all of you who are tapping in.
Love,
Barb
Thanks, Lance. I needed that reminder!
Love to you and your team,
Judi
As usual, you hit the nail right on the head, seperation from myself and others is the source of of my pain. Thanks for the depth of your caring and commitment to me and the world.
I will be pleased to be a part in raising awareness. Cheers, LaVonne
I listened, I reflect and I move ahead today with your wonderful message. Thank you for a great start to this week!
Debbie
I am sitting here at my desk eating a handful of almonds.
The almonds were ordered, uncrated, and placed on the shelves by people at the store where I bought them.
They were roasted, packaged, boxed and shipped by the people at the facility the store ordered them from.
There were people involved in the logistics of getting these almonds from that facility to the store – loading them onto the truck, driving them across the country, tracking the delivery, unloading the truck.
There were farmers who grew the almonds, and workers who brought in the harvest.
There were people who provided those farmers with the supplies they needed to ensure the success of the crops, people who invented those supplies, people who manufactured the supplies and who designed and built the facilities where all these activities took place.
There were people who provided the technology by which all these transactions took place.
There were people in marketing, advertising, sales – really, the list is endless – who all played a part in getting this one handful of almonds from the tree to my desk.
The one almond I pop into my mouth as I type connects me to all these people, for however brief an instant, and I am humbled.
Thank you for the inspiration and vision of how we are all connected. As I listened my 12 year old son listened as well, his response was WOW this is really cool stuff we really are all one. How do I let the kids at school know? A heart warming discussion followed. I am blessed.
Namaste’,
Cathy
Thank you Lance for your inspiring words and a reminder of our oneness and connectedness. I will continue to reflect on your message as i make my way through my week.
What an inspiring message to finish this day off with. I am a believer in the need to treat the world and its contents holistically. Moreover, the concept of reconnection resonates with me. My work is in helping nurses to reconnect with their passion for nursing. I wish you well in this endeavour, Lance.
Stuart
What a lovely message on this Monday evening. There is so much truth in what you have said. I wonder why we struggle over these simple things…and manage to lose sight of them so easily. ThanK-you for the reminder. I look forward to more.
Dear Lance,
As I surfed the internet in search of wisdom, I came upon your site.
As nothing is ever without reason or purpose I read. I let the words whirl in my mind.
Now with your beautiful voice and a rhythm which is catching and almost hypnotic I sense a great power.
It is being one.
Inspiring, but also sense-able.
Changing is about choices, but starts with a-rhythm. Out of balance, seeing the same things different. Experiencing the moment.
I try creating with sculpting, with coaching on my work, in playing with my kids a surrounding where I can sense love and connectness around me.
I believe that if everybody would be in search of being one, this would have a great effect.
I???ll be there, I am here and it is good
Is the path through Ashtanga
Namaste
The Netherlands
Lance;
Your message is so very important and much needed. Every person needs to know that they too can make a difference to make our world a better, more loving place.
Thank you for caring and sharing so generously, the love from your soul with others.
With gratitude,
Katherine
Dear Lance,
I have enjoyed all of your books over the years and continue to pursue my dream of being an inspirational leader to those that I love and work with. Your postcard was a pleasant surprise and a wonderful way to end my day. I’m looking forward to future messages. One of my special examples of oneness is a friendship that I have developed over the past five years with Sam, a now 85 year old man from my church whose wife suffers from Alzheimers. We meet each week for about an hour to share stories, relive memories, talk about the frustrations of aging, laugh, cry, study scripture, and pray together. While Sam is nearly 34 years older than I am we connect as one. This is a gift I have been given that has changed my life. Keep up the good work!
Namaste, Ken
Dear Lance,
Thank you, thank you. You have done it again. Reminded us of what we need to remember.
You Sir are a beacon of light in a time when we are so distracted and caught up in the darkness of our delusions. I am inspired by your insight and depth and I am committed to the CASTLE principles and fully support what you are doing.
“NAMASTE”
Trevor Brown
Thank you , Lance for the Hope, Love, Service, Insight, Inspiration and LEADERSHIP you continually provide! It is truly an honour and blessing to know you. Chris
Not only are we all connected in this web of life, there is a collective consciousness that exists that determines how we live life. When we ultimately understand and realize how every individual thought contributes to the whole, to the oneness, then we will have a world of love, compassion, and everlasting peace. It will happen, one by one, until a sufficient number of individuals become the predominant thought. At that time a shift will occur and our collective consciousness will no longer tolerate war, conflict, greed, or unchecked power. I am especially pleased to be a part of ONE and to be one of the ones that will eventually shift the collective consciousness of this world. Thank you Lance, for your leadership in this INSPIRING movement.
Nameste!
I thank you, Lance (and your team), for being the vital spark that ignites the accelerated awakening of those who are ready. It???s been a long time coming, that business is about more than more money for the few who lead and own.
Conscious leadership will show the way to a more conscious and caring, business landscape, where people (and their environment) and profits, are the focus, and not just money?? money?? more money and power.
The general people are already moving towards a greater awareness and responsibility, it???s the old guard of leadership who need to shift, or be replaced, with more aware, conscious and compassionate leaders.
It seems, even with the terra-threats, and global TV exposure, that those in power, running on pure EGO, still want to grab as much as possible for themselves, even at the cost of their integrity, families, friends, workers and communities.
I???m expectant and excited that your/our work will begin a new powerful wave of re-examination in the domain of leadership and business on the planet, and begin a new era, where Love, Care, Compassion, Collaboration, Consciousness, Inspiration, Engagement and Facilitation are some of the primary tools in the workers and leaders toolbox.
Whilst profit/cashflow are the life blood of most businesses, it should not be the sole reason for it???s existence. These companies seem to have no Soul.
I dream of a time when business is the springboard for people to live, learn, love, laugh, grow, prosper and discover that we are ALL the ONE – A place where we can learn to master life and Love.
Thank you Lance for your Courage, Love and Commitment to shifting the paradigm of leadership.
My blessings and condolences go to all of those Souls who lost loved ones, and whose lives have been detrimentally impacted by the Tsunami.
May we be open to growing in consciousness and awareness in each moment of life and find the Courage to unite as ONE. May we find the courage to be brave enough to ???Pay-it-forward???.
Namaste???
Tony Dovale
Life Masters International
Chief Alchemist & High-Vibration Coach
This message definitely fit into my life today re-entering NYC after a holiday in FL and feeling One with many after, leaving on a cold day into a sea of traffic jams on the first day of the transit strike.
The most interesting topic people from 5-70 remarked on was their worry of what may be happening with the 60 degree weather in January here today. I thought it was a gift although then wondered what switched with the planet no universe. Over 10 people mentioned “Something must be wrong” comparing past weather experiences from their diversified origins and changes in the past few years.
Namaste!
Hi Lance,
Great to hear your voice again. It’s been many years.
Thank you for ONE.
I was at a conference at OISE many years ago exploring “Leadership in HR”. The consensus was: leadership is the ability to be fully human. I think this speaks to conscious leadership.
As for One, I offer my faulty memory and the words of the late great American songwriter John Hartford who wrote in a song – I believe it was called “The Connection Song” – that ” I wouldn’t been here if I hadn’t been there and I wouldn’t been there if I hadn’t just turned, on Wednesday the 3rd in the late afternoon got to talkign with George who works out in the back…”
And you are talking to us.
Namaste,
Greg
Thank you Lance and All for these reminders and sharing of practice. Indeed speaking and acting from these values requires courage today.
Here is some of how I try to practice what Lance is suggesting is new (perhaps to the business world) but really is very old, and very sacred in my view. We chose to leave the garden, if one wants to use a Christian image, and we can return with intention and integrity as I believe Lance is suggesting we do.
In the model I use, which is somewhat similar to Buddhist mindfulness, we are able to “express” “up” in Celebration, individually, personally, from the “ground” of oneness to be effective, staying in line with our personal integrity as we move through our human abilities to reflect and act.
When I express up and out, in Celebration, from the knowing of unity and love, with integrity through sensings, feelings into images and theories I feel I express “up” into effective presence, as Lance so beautifully does.
When theories and thoughts of separation “lead” my behaviour and I identify with the separate rather than the wholeness that is the ground of love, I can move “down” into my heart and feelings, releasing all the overwhelm and grief to the greater field of love. I find that then I can speak again, from the Unity.
(I have much more I can share about this practice especially about how hard it is to “hold” the theory and concepts as I move “up” as Lance does. In this model one can, instead of moving into theories and concepts, use the imaginal, thus creating art as the expression. Herein lies another whole consideration how this might be used in business especially.)
All of this is truly art and for me, courageous. Thank you for all our practice in service to the planet and her children. Namaste and Gassho, Nancy, Monterey, CA
The last two statements in Lance’s article are, in my mind, the pivot point for this article; namely, taking the awareness of ONE and translating it into action in our lives.
The separation of which Lance speaks and writes occurs not just in society, but in ourselves as well. It seems all too easy for us to separate intention and principle from action, thinking and talking ONE as a state of awareness but failing in the end to act because of resignation (after all, what effect can a lone person have?) or confusion (should I not eat farmed shrimp? how do I know if the shrimp in front of me was farmed or not? how can I be sure the extra money I pay for “fair trade” items goes back to the producers rather than the wholesalers? etc…).
This is, I suppose, where courage, faith, and hope enter the picture. There are many examples of one unlikely person affecting great change (the Buddha, Christ, M. L. King, Abraham Lincoln). If we bring about the change we seek by only a small fraction of what they accomplished, wouldn’t the effort to act be worthwhile?
Namaste,
Dennis
Hello Lance
Thank you for the awakening or reawakening. For me it is a reminder of the impact that even the small things have – the small things that we all do or do not do. Ordering the shrimp…..saying thank you, smiling, taking the time to write or call, saying a quiet prayer to those who have brought us the food on the table. Those small things – together – really can change the world.
And it’s not down to anyone else – it’s down to me (all of us ‘me’s).
Namaste
Peter
Dear Lance,
Just hearing your voice inspired and centered me. Thank you to you and your team for all you do in bringing us together and for your reminder that we are all ONE and connected to each other. Greetings and blessings from White Rock, BC.
It’s amazing how easy it is to remove ourselves from the oneness of the planet. Our lives feel like the only thing happening on the planet sometimes, and it is hard to think of ourselves as 1 small person out of 6 billion. This little essay is humbling for me, just going hiking in the Rocky Mountains also humbles me. What would the world be like if we all shared such compassion for life and others all the time?
Namaste
“It is never too late to be what you might have been.” George Eliot Thank you for being you now.
It is apparent we have much to learn form each other form our experiences & the retelling of those experiences. As we become aware of our surroundings and the indications nature gives us throough it’s subtle voice may who woound not can survive coming earth changes. We in our one heart need to listen and share our truths. We in our one heart need to listen and act on those truths.
24/7
image
$$$
the three man-made concepts nowhere to be found in the universe, steering humanity away…..
from
the universal eco-system
with it’s rhythms and cycles,
it’s resonance and energy motions
it’s giving and taking
it’s tensing and relaxing
Nature is not outside us, we are nature
we – humans – are a very intelligent and vital link WITHIN the system
not superior to the system….
every message, every encouragement, every little spark of information that creates awareness
is the strengthening of a this ONE-movement
Thank you
Lance
and each and everyone above sharing
and all those just reading …..
change for the better IS taking place….
Happy and grateful to live now
and with ya’all
everywhere in the world
be able to build the difference
Tallyho
Lisa
The Netherlands
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Life:
A while ago, my now 15 year old son Drew and I sat with our meal and looked to go more deeply into who and what were involved in supporting our various foods ending up on our plates. I recall that we thought of 17 folks (their roles at least) and many numbers of fellow creatures and other entities (earth, sun etc…). Having a practice of consciousness around our oneness is vitally important to me and I appreciate ONE as a powerful opportunity to stay reminded and to inspire others to awaken to our interconnectedness. Thank you Lance for playing the bigger game on our behalf and thanks to all of you for being in this marvelous web with me with you own unique gifts and ways of inspiring.
With Ever Growing Love,
Jim
I agree with you .Connection is consciousness and the foundation to creating results in the world!
Lance, I couldn’t agree with you more. As a ‘religous leader’, I have always combatted the idea that one’s faith was personal and somehow separate from their work or their family. I believe the marred and lame condition of the Christian church demonstrates just how injurious that this separation thinking truly is.
I look forward to learning more in the week to come.
Seek the Deep
John
bluer.org
MESSAGE FROM MOTHER EARTH
By Sally Squires email:GDay1717@hotmail.com
When a man kills a lion,
the sky weeps,
for the soul of the lion travels on the wind to the highest mountain.
And the lion???s soul shouts to the sky about the unjust nature of man that he should kill the strongest and proudest of all the jungle animals.
After the lion???s last roar,
the sky is quiet
and only a whisper can be heard on the plains
for the very Earth itself misses a heartbeat in reverence for the dead lion and for the everlasting loss of all the lions that will not be born to the lost lion.
Sadness reigns in the trees which turns their leaves sour to the taste of the giraffe who turns away and wonders why.
Why must man kill?
When will it end?
This is where our ancestors come from ??? Africa ??? where men sing of the ancients and a land of the beginning ??? of man and of woman.
Land of the forever, ever.
Where water once rose is now only sand ??? thanks to man ??? and his appetites.
Now no-one eats and children die. Too tired to cry.
Empty eyes of longing swell their bellies
but not the hearts of the golden ones ??? with metal in their hearts, not blood or love.
When a man kills a lion,
the sky weeps,
for the soul of the lion travels on the wind to the highest mountain.
And the lion???s soul shouts to the sky about the unjust nature of man that he should kill the strongest and proudest of all the jungle animals.
After the lion???s last roar,
the sky is quiet
and only a whisper can be heard on the plains
for the very Earth itself misses a heartbeat in reverence for the dead lion and for the everlasting loss of all the lions that will not be born to the lost lion.
When a man kills a lion.
Your message inspires me to have the courage to listen to and honor the meek voice within me. Thank you. Namaste.
Dear Lance,
After I read that passage above I thought WOW!!!!! I thought I knew about connectedness. Thank you for reminding me of this very important connection. I have bought the book and am thoroughly enjoying it. People are wonderful and amazing and I am so grateful to find websites like yours.
Thank you to all of the above people for the inspirational messages, poems etc. Life Is Wonderful.
I am working so hard on my truthfulness. Although I am an honest person I believe there is great room for improvement. Like the stretching of stories or emiting things about the story to save face etc. I do need to work on such issues.
Happy Day, Namaste
Dear Lance,
It is so wonderful to read stories like these to remind us of our connectiveness! I always cry with joy when I read, listen or meet others that truly understand this truth and try to live it in their everyday lives. It is like “words of truth” are being spoken to my heart and I know deep inside that these feelings were there when I was a child…oh how we forget along the way! Thanks you for working so hard to pass on the message….I will do the same as I know that there are so many others in this world whom are doing so…the numbers are growing and world conciousness for peace is a reality…we really can change the world together!
Namaste
I struggle to get beyond the command-and-control, lower brain-stem, survival of the fittest “story”. It’s much easier to maintain my connection with ONE when the alligators are well fed. Lance’s work is truly inspiring…and, I am working at “paying it forward”.
Wow… I just stumbled on to your website today and I am in awe and inspired. What a wonderful surprise to find someone else who is of like mind and weaving this into the whole concept of leadership from a personal and a corporate perspective. This is my vision!!
I have been blessed over the last year with an opportunity to live in the haven of conscious company. This blessing has opened up my world in ways I never imagined. I would like to share a recent experience with you that sums up the last year and the direction my life has taken.
In September of this year I participated in a conscious retreat and workshop. It was 7 days of silence and meditation using the principles of Self Inquiry, brought to the world by Ramana Maharshi.
As part of that process we each used a process to identify and manifest what we want to create most in our lives. I have spent a lifetime seeking peace, knowing all along that I held the key and that it was inside me. I did not know how to attain this peace in a way that was lasting and meaningful. As part of this meditation and manifestation process I asked for a vision of what it would look like if I were to have found that which I seek. This is the vision that came to me.
“I am standing on a beach on a warm summer evening. There is a full moon rising over the still waters in front of me. This beautiful orb of light glows in the night sky and is reflected in the water before me. That reflection is pointing directly at me. I am surrounded by people that I don’t know, yet there is an overwhelming feeling of love and connection from these people. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that we are one.”
A few nights later I found myself standing on the beach of the Retreat Center looking out on a beautiful full moon rising. I was surrounded by my fellow retreat participants who I had barely spoken to because of the silence. The 10 of us held on to each other in silence. There were tears and laughter and an amazing sense of belonging. It was as though our collective heart just opened up.
This experience touched those around us as well. As we stood there an employee from the retreat asked if she could take our picture in the moonlight. As she posed us in the glow of the full moon she shared her experience with us. She said, “I have been going through a difficult time lately. My life has been challenging. Just being in your presence has brought a stillness to my life that I thought I would never feel again. I just want to say thank you!”
I have carried this momemt with me since that day. Today I share it with all of you!
Namaste