Why do certain sounds,
images, even smells, enter deeply into a place within us to evoke emotions that
have no words? Where
is it that they rest and resonate with so much power? When we say we know
something in our heart or in our gut, as opposed to our head, are we referring
to this same place, a place that knows and feels?
It is certainly not
anatomical; it is numinous, existing in or around everyone, perhaps only a
confluence of emotions buried deep in the unconscious realm of our minds. But it is real. And although we cannot
see or touch it, it can be felt or experienced, and has the power to influence
our behavior, our life, and our sense of self. It is all of these things, and more. It is the human spirit that defines our
humanity and enables those elements that make us more than an organic machine:
dreams, hopes, and imagination. It
gives us art, compassion, love, and empathy. It is in this place that we fully
understand who we are, and what we can become.
We experience it is so many
ways: a source of inner strength and resolve, a way to cope and/or recover, a
moment of inspiration, an epiphany, or a moment of spiritual enlightenment. It
is here that some people find their God,
I imagine there are as many
different experiences as there are individuals, all sharing some basic
similarities (Jung’s Collective Unconscious?)
It is our responsibility to
nurture this spiritual sweet spot – the soul - and protect it from everything
and everyone that would attempt to deny it. There are a number of ways this can be accomplished:
solitude, prayer, meditation, music, reading, writing, and sharing with others.
We must each identify those elements that make us feel closest to ourselves.
For some, there is comfort
in creating solitude, a respite from the noise and harsh demands of busy
days. One can sit quietly,
listening to the sounds of silence, or use the time to enjoy special music,
read an inspiration book, or write in a journal. Several years ago I wrote the
following for my children:
“Sometimes we need all the help we can
get in the pursuit of our dreams and aspirations, especially when they take us
into unfamiliar places, and that support can often be found in the world around
us.
Avail yourself of those activities
and experiences that provide inspiration and stimulation. Read books and journals, listen to
music, travel, visit with friends, and pursue everything and anything else that
inspires your mind and heart and is affirming to those dreams. It may be as simple as quietly
listening to your favorite music, or as involved as a weekend away to some
special place. You will recognize
what it is that makes you feel alive and centered, and whatever that is, it is
worthy of your time and attention.
Such small endeavors can provide critical support for great work.”
That we require care, both
physical and emotional, is most obvious in the extremes of a lifetime, and in those
times of severe crisis, regardless of the cause. But what is not so obvious is the care needed to create and
maintain a rich meaningful interior life at a time when we are outwardly
healthy and secure and not facing a physical or mental crisis.
My goal has always been to
live a centered life, one relatively free from the distractions and intrusion
of external negative influences that threaten my purpose, my work, and my sense
of self. It hasn’t been easy, and
I’ve learned to use all of the “tools” mentioned above. Of these, solitude has been critical to
any success I have had, time to listen to my own inner voice, the voices of
others, and when possible, the voice of God. They are all important to our understanding of who we are,
and of them, I believe our own voice is the most important. If we don’t fully understand both the
bright and the dark sides of ourselves, we will be unable to clearly hear the
other voices.
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