BUT… the reason I’m sharing this is that something happened inside of me the night we were sleeping under the open sky. I had been offline for a couple of days. Zero wifi and cell service. Completely isolated. Again, I tangibly felt the oneness of all things. I could feel the aliveness of everything. Including the rocks. Everything was buzzing with life and love. But the word that kept coming to my mind was happiness. I sensed at a deep level the joyful oneness all wrapped in love. I can’t explain it. Words don’t suffice. But it was real, and I knew it! I’ve “known” this for many years now… culminating in a flash of insight I experienced in 2009 that led to the eventual leaving of the ministry and church the next year. This experience has never left me but it gave me a peace of mind that has never left. To tangibly feel and experience this in the isolation of nature was profound. Now… I knew I would be heading back into the fray in a couple of days. But I knew, just like the peace of mind that settled on me in 2009 never left, I knew this sense of joyful and loving oneness would never leave either. It’s that kind of knowledge that transcends the overwhelming “reality” that perpetually attempts to impose itself upon us. This is not to say there is no suffering or sadness or struggle or strife. But it is to say that these are choppy and often frightening waves only on the surface of a deeply peaceful and joyful current of love. I just knew I would come home to continue doing my small part to alleviate the suffering of others. Because I want everyone to know this joyful oneness of love as well. Everyone! Including you! |