Cleaning the Inside of the Cup
Years ago an elderly friend insisted that her suffering was great and no one else could possibly understand.
A different friend insisted that in the important things of life—birth and death—and probably the decision making that goes on between, must always be done alone.
The question always came up about their very different stances about this thing called aloneness. They came from two almost opposite philosophical positions about life, one a Christian fundamentalist and the other an accomplished and sought after physician who was eclectic in her pursuit of spiritual truth.
Each told a very different story. One had to have people around constantly and on most days had as many as five social engagements—or more! The other spent a lot of time alone in meditation.
Both were very powerful women. When praying with one it was easy to feel the Christ in our presence. When meditating with the other, it was equally easy to experience the presence of higher beings—whatever they might be.
Both worked with outstanding and amazing results by healing people. Both of them healed hundreds during their lives and in different and effective ways.
Each had a strong sense of self. They were both Leos and were strong and memorable personalities.
Could either one of them die to themselves? Can you let the ego go? Am I able to move into universal oneness and let the sense of self drop off?
Can we do this fundamental and important thing of dying to ourselves? What makes us so afraid to do it? Why do we so strongly uphold this vain identification with the little self?
Is there a way we can move beyond its strong presence in our lives and its constant urge to embellish its wounds and hold the ego image as the only one in the world that matters?
Can one possibly move to a more universal center of gravity? In what way can we make the supreme sacrifice and let the ego go?
For some the question must be put differently because their ego is so weak and limp, they need it for self-esteem.
Perhaps we can begin to make the sacrifice when we are willing to look at the shadow we carry and see how it invariably stands between true soul expression and living self-centeredly.
The glitter and shine of the ego is infinitely beguiling and our tendency is to look at the exterior where we think the glitter and shine is and deny the still small voice within.
Once we find find the true sheen, we’ll be cleaning the inside of the cup.
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© 2013 by Rebecca Field, All Rights Reserved
Thank you for this amazing insight, I believe it!