I went for a stroll this morning, early. Sauntered through the Vondel park as I've done many many times this last couple of years, with a realization that "this... is my life and my dream". Not walking in the park particularly, but walking freely, knowing that I have nowhere specific to go or anything specific to do except walk and take it all in and let my mind wander also.
I ended my stroll in the cafe of spiritual center De Roos - it's open from 8:30am. And there I sat to write what was on my mind - and what was on my mind was "what am I actually doing here with this site, this life-project."
I know in my heart what it's all about, but now and then I feel the need to clarify it for my "human" mind so it's clear from doubt and worry and concern - so there's no little annoying voice coming through saying "shouldn't you be thinking of getting a job? Isn't this all a bit unrealistic? Aren't you kidding yourself that anything is going to come from this? Come back down to earth man!"
So I wrote, again, the outline of this journey I call "my life", and defined again the purpose and goal. And it goes like this:
I ended my stroll in the cafe of spiritual center De Roos - it's open from 8:30am. And there I sat to write what was on my mind - and what was on my mind was "what am I actually doing here with this site, this life-project."
I know in my heart what it's all about, but now and then I feel the need to clarify it for my "human" mind so it's clear from doubt and worry and concern - so there's no little annoying voice coming through saying "shouldn't you be thinking of getting a job? Isn't this all a bit unrealistic? Aren't you kidding yourself that anything is going to come from this? Come back down to earth man!"
So I wrote, again, the outline of this journey I call "my life", and defined again the purpose and goal. And it goes like this:
A "normal" lifestyle isn't for me - job house pension retirement death... what most people view as a normal lifestyle. So I see no point in pursuing it. I'm fortunate enough (rather I've made it so that I'm fortunate enough) to be in a optimal enough situation, physically, mentally and spiritually, to choose for an alternative lifestyle. And as has always been my guiding theme throughout my life, this alternative lifestyle is one of "freedom" to do what I want, where and when I want. And freedom to do nothing if it suits me at any moment. And this "doing" means for me, an exploration behind the veils of the limited perceptions of modern western society and culture. The spirit of "Jonathan Livingston Seagull" and the teachings of Richard Bach's other book "Illusions" run through my very essence as strongly as they did when I was 14 and discovered these books.
So I find myself in a situation and time of life and frame of mind to want to choose to pursue this alternative lifestyle with a vengeance. And this came as a surprise because I'd expected to only start on this "journey of journeys" in a later stage of life - like, when I was 75 or something, when I could say I've seen enough of the "normal life", and can afford to be eccentric.
Well, I'm glad I don't have to wait another 20 years. I can be eccentric now.
Though it has nothing to do with being eccentric at all. It has to do with escaping the confines of limited conditioning - thoughts, beliefs, programming, habits - and daring to choose to explore yourself and your relationship to your life experience. It is an adventure, it is a journey and it is the "journey of journeys" and it is unique for every one of us.
So I find myself in a situation and time of life and frame of mind to want to choose to pursue this alternative lifestyle with a vengeance. And this came as a surprise because I'd expected to only start on this "journey of journeys" in a later stage of life - like, when I was 75 or something, when I could say I've seen enough of the "normal life", and can afford to be eccentric.
Well, I'm glad I don't have to wait another 20 years. I can be eccentric now.
Though it has nothing to do with being eccentric at all. It has to do with escaping the confines of limited conditioning - thoughts, beliefs, programming, habits - and daring to choose to explore yourself and your relationship to your life experience. It is an adventure, it is a journey and it is the "journey of journeys" and it is unique for every one of us.
My personal journey is born out of my spiritual beliefs. These beliefs began with the Richard Bach books, and over the years supplemented by information from diverse sources of similar viewpoint. Basically: we are spiritual beings having a human experience; as spiritual beings we are in essence immortal and limitless; and all this human experience of the "physical" is pure illusion.
Lately, thanks to the internet, my beliefs have been fed with an exponentially increasing input of new and deeper information from even more diverse sources that have taken me on a whirlwind trip down the rabbit-hole of wonder and magic and mysticism - a trip to a more glorious reality where science and spirituality are one and the same. And what I've learned from this trip, and am still learning, has taken my beliefs to an immeasurable new height. The fiction of Jonathan and Illusions has become fact for me... though I think they always were.
Lately, thanks to the internet, my beliefs have been fed with an exponentially increasing input of new and deeper information from even more diverse sources that have taken me on a whirlwind trip down the rabbit-hole of wonder and magic and mysticism - a trip to a more glorious reality where science and spirituality are one and the same. And what I've learned from this trip, and am still learning, has taken my beliefs to an immeasurable new height. The fiction of Jonathan and Illusions has become fact for me... though I think they always were.
Up until this point - this very point in this here and now today - I feel as if I've been climbing a mountain, following a path that promised to lead to an awakening. Every twist and turn, every circular route, every base camp, every obstacle I've clambered over, walked around or detoured on the way, has brought me to this point. And at this point I look ahead to a vast landscape of limitless potential and possibility. I could choose to stay where I am and live my life out here. But the adventure ahead is too inviting. Everything, and I do mean everything, is clear to me. All the big questions - why am I here, what is the purpose of life, what is the nature of the universe?... I don't need to ask them anymore because I know the answers - as I always knew. All I have to do now is to wander down into that vast landscape and enjoy the adventure of the journey. It is a landscape of my own creation. No evil hides there, no harm can befall me - and there are wonders and miracles beyond my present experience to discover.
In this creation of mine, I have no need of fear, worry, doubt, regret, comparison, jealousy, envy, judgement, hatred, suspicion, egoism, anxiety, haste, emotional pain, or any other limiting emotion or belief. I do not need deadlines or justification or any other purpose than to take joy in the wonder and experience of the journey. With a mind free from the concept of limitations, I can accept and observe every possibility as potential probability. This is, in essence, Heaven - and I am, in essence, God.
In this creation of mine, I have no need of fear, worry, doubt, regret, comparison, jealousy, envy, judgement, hatred, suspicion, egoism, anxiety, haste, emotional pain, or any other limiting emotion or belief. I do not need deadlines or justification or any other purpose than to take joy in the wonder and experience of the journey. With a mind free from the concept of limitations, I can accept and observe every possibility as potential probability. This is, in essence, Heaven - and I am, in essence, God.
And then I hear another voice... "so, what ya gonna do down there besides wander around?"
Ahhh! There are so many things I want to do. And there is so much time in which to do them. But, for the moment, I focus on what my heart gets most excited about right now. It's a vision - a vision from now - meaning it could change on the way, and that's okay. There are many paths leading down into this landscape.
My envisioned path goes like this:
*To live in Spain with it's diverse biotopes ranging from desert to tropical beaches to lush hills and valleys to snow-capped mountains, and containing beautiful cities rich in European and Arabian culture.
*There to pursue many physical and leisure activities from sea and river canoeing to rock-climbing and microliting.
*To experience and develop this human body through yoga and "natural training" activities.
*To explore and develop this spirit/mind/body connection through (again) yoga and meditation.
*To explore and develop my spirituality in diverse practices from healing to shamanism to "psychic abilities", to a mastery of the craft of conscious-manifesting.
*To practise and share my many creative interests, from drawing to songwriting, to poetry and music, to writing and storytelling, to painting and sculpture.
*To experience a closer connection to the land and nature, in building, and in growing and consuming natural food.
*To develop a "retreat" - a "Center For Limitless Living" - where I can work together with and discuss life with like-minded people who are also walking this path to self-awakening and connecting with a new global consciousness of love and appreciation.
*And in this retreat to develop my interests in giving workshops and public lectures, and community singing and storytelling.
It's a grand vision, and though many others have already created this vision as a reality for themselves, this is my personal vision as part of my personal journey. It may take a different form with time, but the essential elements will remain wherever this journey takes me. And that is the adventure.
Ahhh! There are so many things I want to do. And there is so much time in which to do them. But, for the moment, I focus on what my heart gets most excited about right now. It's a vision - a vision from now - meaning it could change on the way, and that's okay. There are many paths leading down into this landscape.
My envisioned path goes like this:
*To live in Spain with it's diverse biotopes ranging from desert to tropical beaches to lush hills and valleys to snow-capped mountains, and containing beautiful cities rich in European and Arabian culture.
*There to pursue many physical and leisure activities from sea and river canoeing to rock-climbing and microliting.
*To experience and develop this human body through yoga and "natural training" activities.
*To explore and develop this spirit/mind/body connection through (again) yoga and meditation.
*To explore and develop my spirituality in diverse practices from healing to shamanism to "psychic abilities", to a mastery of the craft of conscious-manifesting.
*To practise and share my many creative interests, from drawing to songwriting, to poetry and music, to writing and storytelling, to painting and sculpture.
*To experience a closer connection to the land and nature, in building, and in growing and consuming natural food.
*To develop a "retreat" - a "Center For Limitless Living" - where I can work together with and discuss life with like-minded people who are also walking this path to self-awakening and connecting with a new global consciousness of love and appreciation.
*And in this retreat to develop my interests in giving workshops and public lectures, and community singing and storytelling.
It's a grand vision, and though many others have already created this vision as a reality for themselves, this is my personal vision as part of my personal journey. It may take a different form with time, but the essential elements will remain wherever this journey takes me. And that is the adventure.
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