When is the last time you were in awe with life and truly felt connected to the world around you?
In today’s busy world of to-do lists and endless obligations, it’s easy to forget that we’re all part of a greater Universe. But, when you really take a moment to think about it, all of life is incredibly amazing! A spectacular web of Divine energy flows through you as well as every other living being. When you experience the world around you with reverence, you open yourself up to that Divine energy and expand your intuitive awareness. You step beyond the local reality of your “Me Bubble,” rise above your ego and rational mind, and open yourself to the vast mystery of something greater than yourself. You feel awake, alive, and cared for. With reverence, you’re in tune with life and able to hear, see, and feel Spirit’s messages more clearly.
Do you remember one of the first times you looked at the world in awe? When I was growing up, I remember feeling incredibly amazed about the teachings in of my faith. I was fascinated by the idea of the soul, angels, and stories in the Bible. I’d also pour over my father’s books reading about other cultures and ways of life. I was awe at the complexity in which people across the world strove to understand and revere the Divine. Many of my clients and friends have also told me about their early reverence of nature. I have a friend who remembers peering out her bedroom window when she was about four, seeing the sun stream down and suddenly realizing that the world around her was on her side, even though life at home was in a constant state of upheaval. Reverence often comes more naturally to us as children; we’re more open to possibilities and have yet to get caught up in our left-brain society. As adults, life tends to get much more complex and moments of reverence become fewer and fewer.
Reverence for the brilliant world around you can alter your life. One of my most dramatic experiences with reverence happened in early 1986 when I was in treatment for alcoholism and felt my life had completely fallen apart. Wrapped up in a self-centered “Me Bubble” as addicts often are, one day I decided to take a walk around the grounds rehab center. With my head down, I wandered along a muddy path around a beautiful lake. I was deep in my own little world and not watching where I was going when the heel of my boot got stuck in the mud. I was forced to pause and assess how to pull my heel out of the suctioning mud without losing my nice leather boot. In that moment, I glanced up and noticed a gigantic tree towering up right in front of me. I was taken aback in awe at its beauty and the profound creative power of nature and All-That-Is. In that magical moment, I knew I wasn’t alone, but was part of a greater world of Spirit. I can still vividly picture that tree and its breath-taking beauty.
In addition to those spontaneous moments of awe, we can cultivate reverence in our everyday experience. We can become more reverent by doing reverent things. What steps can you take to show your respect to Nature and the Divine on a daily basis? As I mentioned in my last blog, I am vigilant about only eating cruelty-free animal products and using skin care products that have not been tested on animals. My husband and I also make certain we recycle our trash and bring reusable bags to the grocery store to cut down on plastic use. I have many friends and clients who have switched to green cleaning supplies, solar power in their homes, and vehicles that do less harm to the planet. You can also take a moment to acknowledge and support nature around you, perhaps by feeding birds, caring for plants, or cleaning up trash you notice on the side of the road.
Remember that when you treat the world around you with reverence, you open yourself to the All-That-Is. You rise out of your local ego world and move into a vast creative pulse greater than yourself, where you can see, hear, and experience more of your intuition.
Exercises:
1. Step into Reverence Everyday:
What steps can you take to experience reverence each day? Perhaps take a walk in nature, enjoy some fresh flowers, switch to “green” products, care for plants, put up a hummingbird feeder and watch the birds, conserve water, etc. Commit to doing this everyday for a week.
2. Connect with Nature
Find a beautiful natural place by water, perhaps near the ocean, a river, or a pond. If you can’t get to a place near water, visualize it in your mind.
Relax and breathe deeply. Allow your five senses to take in the environment. Note how it smells, feels, etc.
Now turn your attention to the water or the image of the water. Be present with it. Think about its significance and the life force that created it.
Take in the vastness of it and make a conscious commitment to honor and revere all living things.
Think about the limitless connection of everything. Say a prayer of thanks to Spirit for the water and nature around you.
Finally, close your eyes and tune into your surroundings with your sixth sense. Write down any messages you receive.
Love
Colette
Try this Reverence meditation which can be found in my online store as an mp3 download.
Nature is the one thing that will ALWAYS ground you
Love
Beverly