9 June 2009
What Forced You into Awareness?
Posted by Robin Easton under: Hobnobbin' with Robin .
This week I share with you two more short video clips from my lecture at the Institute of American Indian Art where I spoke about my adventures in the Australian Rainforest (when I was younger).
IS IT SAFE TO SWIM:
FORCED INTO AWARENESS:
Over the years there are many things that have brought about my awakening. Living extremely remote and with wild creatures that are potentially deadly to humans was one of those things. Sometime I will share other experiences that forced me into awareness, but for now I invite you to share something that has contributed to your awakening?
I was profoundly moved by your comments on my last post and saddened that I was unable to reply to each one. They are stunningly beautiful and equally as wise. Replying to your comments (or your blog posts) is the part of blogging that I love most, far more than doing my own posts. I think it’s because I have almost no attachment to anything I have to say. In fact most days, I feel little need to say anything. I am sublimely content to simply experience the world in which I live. But I care deeply about what you have to say. I feel your souls right through your words and that connection is precious to me. This post I hope to be able to reply to each comment. I look forward to your heartfelt sharings. I always do.
Love,
Robin
This Site: © Robin Easton
Website: http://www.nakedineden.com
Blog: http://nakedineden.com/nakedinedenblog/
19 Comments so far...
Scott Sheperd Says:
9 June 2009 at 8:09 pm.
Great to hear your voice! I’m not sure what “forced” me into awareness. Being a musician I think was the best thing ever for me. I became aware on so many levels. I came out of a racist environment with my father. I went to school with the Nazi nuns. I was always told to get my head out of the clouds. I never did. Music on some deep level was a major part of that refusal to “get back to earth.” (He gave earth a bad name.)
The 60’s were a perfect time for me. I didn’t do drugs hardly at all. I didn’t march much because I was in the National Guard Band. But philosophically I was there. The Vietnam and Civil Rights movements. I was there. Working with death and dying also really made me more aware again on so many levels. That work didn’t “force” me to be aware but it did force me to look at limitations. That molded my awareness.
Being aware though has its difficult sides. I’m aware of deception and lack of love. I don’t trust easily. I think I have somewhere in the mix a profound sadness though I am not a sad person. I believe in possibilities and most of all the mystery. The early Carlos Castaneda novels, especially Journey to Ixtlan, opened up a whole new awareness for me. Rachel Remen’s books have also pushed my awareness of my own need for sensitivity, being involved and appreciating the complexity of it all. That perhaps is my greatest awareness. When people give “answers” that begin with “just” – “Just let go,” “Just turn it over to God,” or whatever I really quit listening. Complexity is beautiful and under it is a profound simplicity but not a simple answer in my opinion. I am so aware as I get older of the urgency to explore this awareness. So I guess my own age in a sense is forcing my awareness to another level with interesting levels. I was listening to Barbra Streisand sing “I’ve been here” (which was originally written for Edith Piaf), today after working out and almost broke into tears. Interesting. The mystery continues and meeting people like you just adds touches of beauty and dimensions that delight me.
Much love.
Robin Replies
This is a beautiful sharing Scott, one that touched me because it not only is fascinating insight into your life journey, but it confirms so many things that I’ve sensed about you. I agree, that you are not a sad person. In fact one of the things that struck me about you from the git go was how dynamically positive you are. And not simply on a surface “lets all be happy to today” kind of way, but on a deep level, even around people who you worked with that were dying. You radiate this light in everything you do. —So many beautiful thoughts here. I loved this line and it is something in you that I’ve always related to and found refreshing:
“Complexity is beautiful and under it is a profound simplicity but not a simple answer in my opinion. I am so aware as I get older of the urgency to explore this awareness.” Yes, I agree, I love the complexity of all emotions and even contradictory truths and am comfortable embracing it all, even comfortable with NOT having a settled or static truth, because I feel it makes life far more beautiful…and oddly more simple, easeful and real for me. I agree, often there are no simple answers or even no answers at all. But then I’m also very comfortable with that and savor it as part of the mystery, which you mention here. Thank you my dear friend. It was a real treat to see you here this morning. Much love to you as well.
Jonathan - Advanced Life Skills Says:
9 June 2009 at 9:00 pm.
Hi Robin, interesting choice of words “forced me to be aware.” In all honesty, I can’t relate to “forced.” For as long as I can remember I have searched for awareness. Always dissecting and analyzing every experience looking for the meaning and relationships that went unnoticed by the casual observer. Awareness has been the central preoccupation of my focus throughout my entire life. I wasn’t forced, I was driven.
Thanks for making me think through that. I have never realized that about myself until just now.
Robin Replies
Hi Jonathan, Yes, I can see this “seeker” in you. Did right from the start. I think there are many of my readers who would relate strongly to what you are saying, as I have an extremely aware readership of friends. I too relate to it and it has been my truth since a very young age. –When I used the word “forced” I knew it might raise some remarks. So I am SO blessed that you made this comment.
I believe that we ALL make choices, even in extreme situations, whether those choices are conscious or not is another thing. But for many people on the planet they are not aware in the way you speak of, and yet, throughout their lives they can have pivotal experiences that are thrust upon them that offer an opportunity for awareness…maybe for the first time in their lives. Life has a way of trying to wake us up whether we want it or not. (Although at our core I believe ALL life wants to be awake, aware, because that’s what life IS. But I speak of another level, a more surface level.)
Some of these pivotal events that might awaken us could be the death of a spouse, a child, a serious illness, intense pain, financial ruin, the loss of all our possessions through fire, being in a war, losing a limb, one’s eyes, etc. The common thing about many of these experience and others like them is that we often have no control over them. They are often violent in their suddenness, the emotions they evoke, the irreversibility of them; they seem to be thrust upon us. (Although I believe on a deeper level that our souls choose the lessons we need.) But that said, there is an aspect of life that I love. Life will often bring events or situations into our lives that we would probably not choose ourselves (or definitely would NOT choose). These events can appear ugly and unfair and yet at the same time they may be exactly what our soul needs to continue it’s evolution. They are like the bolt of lightning, so to speak, that jolts us back to life, back to awareness. The amazing thing about life is that it will repeatedly create these potholes for us to fall into until we learn what we need to continue our growth. Events like these have often saved lives. Which brings me to the human species.
The state of our planet and how we humans treat Earth reflects our current state of unconsciousness. And although I say this, I also believe that we are all evolving in the perfect time and that all is in perfection. But I sometimes wonder what will bring about the collective awakening of humans. As a species we have a long way to go if we are to not obliterate ourselves. We’ve already obliterated many other species. I do not say any of this with any judgment attached to it. It simply is and I find it all fascinating and exploratory. Thank you my dear friend for inspiring me in such a remarkable way.
Carla Says:
9 June 2009 at 9:23 pm.
I became aware when my sister was almost beaten to death in her bed. I have never been the same.
Robin Replies
Dear Carla, I am profoundly moved that you share this here. Yes, this would be one of life’s hardest experiences to face. I am so sorry that this happened and yet I’m so glad you were there for your sister. Sometimes we have no idea why the things that happen to us happen. But something we can do is try to use everything to grow. An experience like this is one of THE hardest to grow from. Seemingly impossible, but I have seen people grow from the most atrocious events. I am always awed by the human spirit to “rise above” horror and reclaim dignity, love, compassion, forgiveness, sense of self, empowerment and more. After having seen several souls “rise” in this way, I believe anything is possible. They leave me humbled. Thank you for sharing.
Michael C. Dewey Says:
10 June 2009 at 2:39 am.
It was back in 1994, soon after my Mom had given me an article about the Mondragon Cooperative, which is Worker Ownership, I saw right away how Mankind could finally get an honest wage.
But at the same time back then, what was almost the love of my life blew up on me before I ever had a real chance. But I could never explain that in a comment here and it really isn’t something emotionally healthy for me – its the past.
But its the driving force which keeps me fighting until I see some sanity out of our leaders.
Robin Easton
Dear Michael, I am honored by this sharing. What I find interesting is that this reminded me of times of my life where it seemed several “life-altering” experiences happened at once, as if a great shove was being made by the Universe to shift the course of my life, plus awaken me. My life has never ever been typical or orderly or predictable, but then I chose at a very young age to have a fully experiential life. I sought out adventure and awareness (kind of like Jonathan mentions in his comment). The times of my life where these culminations of many events took place, I initially felt overwhelmed and thought of them as disastrous and confusing, but as I moved through them I saw them for what they were “great shifts” in my awareness or evolution. Later as I moved into my late twenties and thirties I usually saw them right away for the opportunities they were. That does not mean that they were without pain. It just means that I didn’t resist them like I once might have. I began to embrace life and let go of my expectations. I value your sharings here and thank you for inspiring me. You made me think about things that I’d not thought of for some time.
Shirley Says:
10 June 2009 at 4:05 am.
Being from a large city there isn’t much wilderness around. The city tries hard to keep some aspect of nature but it’s almost not real. There are no poisonous animals in a city and you are thrilled to see a deer.
When we moved it forced me into a whole different state of mind. I had never seen an outhouse before this, but there it was in all it’s smelly glory. Reality comes when you are told to be careful when you go to the bathroom, there could be snakes, they have poisonous ones here. Looking all around the outhouse, inside the outhouse and even down the toilet every time. Wearing long clothes in summer became my thing because I fell in love with hiking. I learned about wild blackberries and I would often pick them and eat them in the woods.
I was acutely aware of the lack of noise pollution and I loved every minute of it. At night we would check our hair to see if we had ticks and after being in the woods our clothes would end up in the wash. We had a ringer washer that we had to carry water up for from the well. It was a different way of life and I loved every minute of it.
Robin Replies
Dear Shirley, what a beautiful story. I always love learning more about you and your life. So you too have had the experience where you had to be aware 24/7 due to the poisonous spiders and snakes. My sister and I have often talked about the “Wilderness Mindset” in which one completely shifts there thinking/awareness when they enter areas where there could be any number of potentially deadly creatures, such as mountain lions, rattlesnakes, ticks, bears, etc. If someone has never had to be that aware before, at first it can seem draining to have to be constantly aware, every minute of every day, but with time in the wild it becomes second nature and there arise amazing benefits from being this aware. I’ve noticed since living in a small city that some of that “Wilderness Mindset” slides away (not much, but a bit) and I become aware of different things that will help me better survive in the city environment. Interesting that life adjusts in this way to survive. And yet when I go back into the wild I always check in with myself to make sure I am FULLY in “Wilderness Mindset”, aware of the consequences of being in the wild. Especially if I am alone, my life could depend on it. You’ve lived an interesting life and (like Jonathan were aware at a very young age). I relate to that as well.
Trine Says:
10 June 2009 at 8:00 am.
It may be just semantics, but I don’t think we are ever “forced” into awareness, it is a continuation of choice…..for me the pivotal point was when I was close to death from alcoholism, and I had an awareness that ‘my work was not done”…..and started my path embracing recovery. Being aware increases as one grows in ones awareness I find!!!
Robin Replies
Hi dear Trine, what a wonderful surprise to see you here!! 
First off, I am deeply touched by your honest sharing of your life’s journey. Amazing. It’s why you are so compassionate with others. —You can read what I wrote in response to Jonathan’s comment; it will best reply to the use of the word “forced”. I have no attachment to it, and it really is’n't the right word, but it’s just what came out of me. Now that I think about it’s kind of neat, as it’s allowing several of us to express our thoughts on it, which I LOVE.
I would add this to what I wrote to Jonathan, re the word “force”: I realized around the age of twenty-six that Life just IS. Events happen and we could put a million reasons on them as to why, and could discuss the possibility that we draw to us the events that our souls need, etc. and so forth. BUT I think the key thing here is the word “choice”. In so many cases it is whether or not we choose to use what comes our way as “fodder” for growth. We could also add in there that timing is a factor. We all grow when we are ready. Although I believe we’re often nudged along the way and the strength of the nudge may vary. Also, this is not to judge or negate the experience of someone who does not use these nudges to grow. Maybe they are here to teach the rest of us patience, contrast, non-judgment, etc. I humble myself before these souls and feel great peace in not judging them. Some souls are so traumatized by certain life experiences that they may not be able to use any of the experience to grow, but who knows their purpose. Again, they may be here to humble us and teach us to not waste our own lives, teach us gratitude, teach us to forgive because they are unable to, teach us to love because they are too wounded. Life is so perfect in all it’s seeming imperfections and contradictions. It is like a web, with each thread connected to the other.
His Holiness Mark Says:
10 June 2009 at 10:19 am.
Life has forced me to become more aware. In fact I don’t use the word spirituality or spiritual anymore, for me it’s simply about becoming more aware or awareness. Expanding and deepening my awareness. What does it entail to be a fully aware human being… that is my question.
Robin Replies
Dear Holiness, are the holes in the knees of your jeans or the elbows of your sweater? LOL!! I know, I know it’s lame. Anyway my dear “friend”, I love this line that you wrote: “I don’t use the word spirituality or spiritual anymore, for me it’s simply about becoming more aware or awareness.” Such a seemingly simple line and yet SO SO profound if we stop and realize what you are saying. “Spirituality” is one step or more removed from us. What does that even mean?? But “becoming aware” is much more intimate and connected with choice, action and the development of each individual. It just feels closer to me, something I am. It feels up lifiting and I get an immediate body reaction to it as opposed to the word “spiritual”. I’ve heard people say, “Oh he’s very spiritual.” And when I ask what they mean by that, they might say, “Oh you known, he’s a committed Buddhist (or Christian) or (he reads very enlightening books.)” etc. But this does not necessarily make someone aware. Anyone can be aware anywhere. It’s free and belongs to no religion, no ideology, no way of life, not belief system, no anything. Its just a matter of becoming what we already are. I really like this comment. Thank you Mr. Holy Jeans. I love you!
NOTE TO READERS:
“His Holiness Mark” just happens to be my very creative, deeply kind, intuitively wise and outrageously funny brother. He is an artist (painter who has had his art in several juried shows and exhibits). He also is a very talented stand up comic who has performed on both the east and west coasts. Like me, he’s in love with Life and the Earth. He has a wonderful website at: http://www.mark-easton-art.com/
Plastic Mancunian Says:
10 June 2009 at 10:35 am.
Hi Robin,
This is deep. I think I am aware but I can’t pinpoint any particular event – there have been hundreds of them. I can relate to what you say about poisonous creatures – I was a wreck when I set foot in Australia and discovered that 90% of the wildlife can sting you, eat you, or just give you an unbearable jolt of pain.
I wrote a post about jellyfish – that was prompted by a memory from my first day in Oz when I saw warning signs about stingers (sorry for the plug but you can read it here – http://plasmanc.blogspot.com/2008/12/invasion-of-jellyfish.html ). Even worse when I realised that there was a tiny jellyfish that was virtually invisible that could kill you easily I became a wreck. I have a phobia of spiders and anything similar (”greeblies” I call them – have done since I was a child). Even here in England, where there are just tiny eight legged freaks I find myself leaping in fear if one of them comes near to me. Can you imagine what I was like in Oz? I was walking to the beach that first day in Port Douglas and whenever a blade of grass brushed my bare leg I leapt up in panic thinking it was a funnel web spider or something. Absurd. But my senses were on high alert and the locals must have thought I was some kind of nutter.
Awareness is something that is still growing for me I think. As I get older I become more aware and bizarrely more angry. But, I remain optimistic and my character is more robust because of the anger. Use anger positively I say.
Cheers
PM
Robin Replies
Dear “Plastic Man”, LOL!! I rather like my version of your name. —Anyway, I am STILL laughing over this comment. I’ve read it three times just because I SO relate to it. On so many levels and in so many ways. I know exactly what you felt when you first went to Australia. It really is a lot thrown at you if you’ve never been around deadly creatures. Like I say, I grew up in Maine, USA where there was nothing deadly. And I could create a list a mile long of things I had to be aware of when I lived in the bush. With time I grew to understand them, but at first, OMG, I thought my worst nightmare had come to life. Most tourists stay on the safe path and or they really don’t even know “what’s out there” so they are blissfully ignorant. Which can actually be far more dangerous as that’s when the most “accidents” occur. —I even grew up handling water snakes as a kid but they were not deadly. The way you describe this, right down to the blade of grass scratching your ankle, is what I went through. Especially after I read that some snakebites don’t even hurt. The herpetologist described it like this: “Sometimes you might not even know you’ve been bitten because the bite won’t feel any different than being scratched by a blade of grass.” Believe me, those first couple of months I must have been bitten by a thousand blades of grass. LOL!!! —-Re: the locals thinking you were nuts, I think the Aussies LOVE to tell tales of all their poisonous or dangerous creatures. And they get more deadly, bigger, longer, faster, with every beer and every telling. I love the Aussies. They are great. And I can’t say I blame them. I mean it’s just so much fun to tell about all those stinging, biting, eating, pain inflicting creatures, Heck, they are proud of them. I am too, and I’m not even Aussie and I live in the USA. Truth be known, with time I learned it wasn’t anywhere near as bad as I thought. I just had to be aware and understand their habits, territories and needs. As I said, they brought about my awareness. Regardless, I sure did LOVE this commentary of yours. It had me howling. AND you can leave a link here ANY time. Thank you my friend. I SO enjoyed this walk down memory lane with you. It was a blast! I’m still grinning.
NOTE TO READERS:
For those of you who love humor and crisp wit you will love my friend Plastic Mancunian at: http://plasmanc.blogspot.com/
JOURNEYTIME Says:
10 June 2009 at 12:48 pm.
Hi Robin,
Firstly awareness at any given time in my life has always been relative to the parameters that I myself have prescribed on that experience. The realisation of this did not come instantaneously, but rather came in fits and starts.
The dreams that I had when I was three years old only started to make sense in my late forties and the puzzle of all the experiences in my life became a map holographically suspended in my awareness only when I turned 49 and that was the time when I was able to travel through the emotional content of each experience and lay to rest that which had not been surrendered.
There has never been one particular moment of forced awareness but many moments of pushing the envelope at that given moment.
The last crossroads had two parts–one was having a particularly frenetic year(05) and at the end of the year experiencing a wholeness, joyousness, connectedness and completeness which had never before, been experienced (so I thought for a while) and then six months later came the opportunity of putting into practice whatever had transpired before that time when I found out that I had cancer.
The feeling of complete joyousness and connectedness was not a new feeling, as it transpired and one that I finally pinpointed to having experiencing when I was three years old.
Writing and recording images has certainly been a catalyst in twisting my awareness to new and greater levels—if of course one sets aside the preconditioning and allows the moment to come.
Thank you
Take care friend
Always good to hear you chuckle
derick
Robin Replies
Dear Derick, I related strongly to this comment. I understand not only the sequence of events but their unfolding. It is in many ways similar to my own. I too had dreams as an infant starting at one and a half years old. And I was aware of them and thought about them at that age and of course on throughout my life. Especially my flying dreams (as well as visitations), and other experiences that would take too long to share here. Then I went through a very similar sequence as you, but at a younger age (and thank god I did or I would not have lived to see my thirtieth birthday). The awakening/joy you speak of hit around 24. A massive shift took place and then shortly after my physical body started to fall apart in a variety of life threatening ways. But anyway, it was for me, also, that prior awakening/joy and subsequent awakenings that got me through the following events, and made me commit fiercely to Life. I learned during this time, how infants are almost completely misunderstood, not seen in my culture. Their fully developed intelligence and awareness is grossly if not completely overlooked. We tend not to see that although the body of an infant is small it contains a fully developed soul, a being who is watching assessing the world as shrewdly as any adult. I believe that when this goes unrecognized it can be so painful for the child (knowing that they are going to have to possibly wait YEARS before they are recognized as a cognizant being — this can force that child into overload or shutting down, which can result in the temporary or lifelong loss of all childhood memories and awareness. Although I do believe it is all stored in our souls and if we choose can be re-membered (so in essence nothing is lost). I will stop here but suffice to say that I am touched by this sharing. I honor and find thrilling the choices you have made and continue to make in your life. Life is SO much more than we humans often realize. ALL life is so much more. Thank you, Derick. PS: Also, the creative work you do is essential for the souls who are coming and will be seeking a reflection of who they are. And of course it is essential for those of us already here.
ZuzannaM Says:
10 June 2009 at 3:08 pm.
Dear Robin
Thank you for the wonderful presentation – “What Forced You into Awareness? ”
“Through AWARENESS – the key to personal and spiritual growth – When we discover who we really are, we take charge. We live with intention, focus and purpose. We wake up to the gifts in every moment. We uncover the wealth of creativity, talent and wisdom already inside us.”
I am going to share this story with your readers and you…
This happen long time ago when I was only fourteen years old. Waiting for my father to bring some stuff, like quilt and clothing when living at a private residence and attending to college. My father has not showed up with the things I needed. Naturally began to worry what happened to papa. Finally, he arrived and I found out that no longer can carry on with my study. He told me that my mum is not going to live and I have to go home with him, to look after my younger siblings… Shocked and not aware of the situation at that very moment I packed all my belongings and returned home. Knowing how much work fell on my shoulders after my mother died, I have realized that my childhood burst like bubble in a split seconds and I became aware of what I am facing in that very early stage of my life.
Since then learn to take my time when decision making process. Somehow, I become wiser and self motivated. Being aware of the situation or being able to predict or foresee the future helps to avoid problems that were ahead of me. Faith and inner strength helped me to survive the toughest moments of my life.
Thank you,
Zuzanna
Robin Replies
Dearest Zuzanna, I am humbled by this story, my arms wanted to hold that fourteen year old girl (in spirit they do). My word you are brave and strong. It explains a lot to me why you are who you are and why I felt all this depth in you. You are like deep pool of clear water with many hidden depths that make you so real to me. I read this and my heart filled with love for that beautiful little fourteen year old girl who had such a load thrust so suddenly upon her shoulders. My heart swells with pride for the woman you are today. I see the way you move through life, even here on the internet, loving openly and compassionately all those who come your way. And you are the same way with yourself. I am honored to be called your friend. —Also, when you wrote about learning to take your time when you make decisions, I relate to that and feel the same, something I think about lately. So that was a good reminder for me. I think there is a LOT of power in what you said about predicting or foreseeing the future and avoiding potential problems that might arise. I agree. It is so important that we check in with ourselves and look/sense into things; this is a very important tool. And we must not only trust that we are capable of doing such a thing, but we must trust what we “see”. Thank you my dear friend. You are truly an inspiration.
Tara S. Dickherber, M.Ed, CPC Says:
10 June 2009 at 6:17 pm.
I was forced into awareness by the shear fact I was sick of my own self made misery. Simple, but not really, and it’s an on-going process every day!
Robin Replies
Dear Tara, I just love this beautifully honest comment about “self-made misery”. I write about this in my second book, which I am working on now. And I know what you are talking about. So I truly DO admire the courage and integrity of this sharing. It really amazing how MUCH self-made misery we humans can create. It also is remarkable how much we can let go of once we make the choice. And once we make this choice (and as you say it may be an “every day” process) we start to set ourselves free. Thank you Tara.
Mike Foster Says:
10 June 2009 at 10:59 pm.
I guess the lesson we learn from your first video is: what’s safe for some may not be safe for all. Hmmm, a metaphor, perhaps, on life? Oh, Robin, you are sneaky in your depth. Or maybe I’m just reading into it. Made me laugh, at least.
peace,
mike
livelife365
Robin Replies
Dear mike, Ha! You are very astute. You didn’t read into it at all. In fact, I was tickled pink that you noticed. Which, for me, goes to show that YOU are very aware in a deep way, also. I will tell you this my friend; there is much more to YOU that you might always show the world. I see it and I see it coming more and more!!! I’m serious. And I KNOW that you can do it. I have no doubt mike. I look at you and it’s kind of like that old saying, “He has some really large shoes to fill.” Who I sense you are and where you are headed is VERY large indeed, in all ways. In spirit, soul, and actual life path. Trust it mike. REALLY trust it…even blindly. It’s all there just waiting for you, the shoes are there and I see you stepping into them. See, your work goes beyond talking/teaching health, it has a certain really “fun” vitality that is very alive and yet very at ease. It’s different from hype. So it makes you unique. It is that laid back happy, fun quality that acts like a magnet for you. You just being you, you just having fun, you just loving life and being warmly goofy and just plain ol’ fun! So there you have it.
starflight/marcel lemieux Says:
11 June 2009 at 12:26 am.
Awareness…..so many things in ones,s life can contribute to that,pain,solitude,memories,travels,isolation,exile….and discovery of love..not physical love..which is cool but life love..its all around us and in everything.but here Robin i am to reveal what truly made me aware.
one day i was so tired of my searches of balance and peace, i fell on my knees…cried out…put on my path a true son of the universe so that i may know!..shortly after i meet a man on the streets..by the look in his eyes ..i knew it was he…finally i landed in a relaxation center..as a handyman…they had pyramids there constructed to exact scale but smaller..they had 4..and in each one there was a running water fountain and a bed…many peoples went in and out…their energy levels got very high at times..anyway i was also the music man..played all types of new age kinds towards the inside of the pyramids….there was a particular room upstairs..and that’s where the man i had meet was..one day he called me up there….there was a single chair in the room..like a lazyboy chair..curious i examined the chair..it had an electric motor under it and a timer on the side next to one arm…so we will call this the astronaut chair ok…
he invited me to sit in it…wow! it started to turn counter clock wise at a certain speed…later i learned that it was in the inverse of earth gravity so one can work better with the self…anyway, he gave me a garbage bag…yes and it was big..but there was lots of love in that room and i wanted to go through changes and was even ready to die for that…….well i filled that bag with thousands of memories, pains and lots of fool knowledge…..and that went on for a few months actually..always in respect and with my acknowledgment….one day..while in that chair..i saw this man stand up and pull the curtains open…the veils that were blocking my mind’s eye, my vision of things ……i was totally stunned…….it was breathtaking….i could not speak..he asked me what i was seeing..i finally found the words…there is a gigantic being of pure light that i see…all the planets, the stars, the whole galaxy, all that exist is his body……..i didn’t really know what to think of all this ..so i ask him ..why me?..he answers, because you deserved it…..that night i went home..went to bed..and as i layed in my bed..all pains, strikes of violence, all hurts of all kinds were pulled out of my body like darts of light..and i cried enough to fill rivers and then i was ok and fell asleep…..my life has never been the same since
..i worked with this gentleman for a while yet (who refuse to be called guide, or any other worthy name…he has no name, no age, and he appears in one town does what he does and move’s on to wherever is his calling)..i have seen many worlds, because of his help and i’ve also learned that true knowledge is sacred in a way and seldom taught on this earth but there are a lot of superb folks out there who participate in the growing consciousness of all things..and there are many walks of life….eventually like all things..there is an end…or continuing if you wish…i decided to stay here..i like this planet..so i chop the wood and carry the water..i work 40 hours a week in a factory..its an awful place but i’m there everyday with a smile and a joke to tell..some call me the philosopher..or the strange one..i don’t care..i’m happy and i still have so much to learn….so to end this story, being aware, being here now..awareness is a day to day thing…..you do your best and hope to never be..unaware….this story is more than 10 years old..but its like yesterday…my heart and soul pound like the first day…….peace
Robin Replies
Dear Marcel, This is a sacred story. More importantly a sacred experience. This whole sharing is so loaded But I will speak to the things that touched my heart. I loved the whole thread of your humble humanity. When you said: “…the discovery of…life love.” I love that line and know what you mean. Also you said: “one day i was so tired of my searches of balance and peace, i fell on my knees…cried out…put on my path a true son of the universe so that i may know!” This is beautiful Marcel and a cry straight from the heart. It moved me to tears. I think if we can reach this place in our lives we are very very blessed. It is a place we never forget, as we are wide open, stripped bare, raw and exposed to Life. Our defenses are stripped away or gone, we no longer “have control. We must surrender. This is when Life can enter. Sometimes people perceive this state as a curse or weakness in character, something to be ashamed of or even frightened by. And some have such ridged control that they never even allow their lives to reach this beautifully vulnerable place (I do not judge them as all must happen in the right time). But it is in this place that evolution of the soul takes place. It is here that we see (and KNOW) who and what we really are. What is.
I also understand when you asked: “Why me”…and were told, “Because you deserve it.” Yes, you do. This was and still is a magical awakening, one you invited when you let go all control and laid your heart bare. I know this place so well, such sweet peace arises from it. —I also loved your part about chopping wood and lugging water, yes, life goes on and each day is savored and cherished as we grow, continue to experience and learn, whether we work in a factory, dig ditches, heal the sick, write books, tend the children, etc. I believe we are ALL here for the journey. —I too have been called: “The Odd One” by my friends. Lovingly of course. And I’ve grown very found of the name. So I treasure your “The Strange One” or “The Philosopher”. In many past and some present cultures that is how names were given. I think both names fit you beautifully. —Marcel, this was a great gift you shared here today. One I treasure, it felt like a going home. Although many things were different on my path, I recognize so much here of my own path, my own feelings and awakening. That is very heartening and soothing. Thank you my friend.
Robb Says:
11 June 2009 at 4:39 pm.
KIa ora Robin,
I can’t put a finger on when being Aware came upon me. My world changed forever when I was 15, Taylor’s age, and my best friend took his own life. I seem to have staggered through the next 10 years or so, living and laughing but really just a shell. All I knew is that Somehow I was pulled to New Zealand and when I encountered the Ruahines, these wonderful mountains, I instantly knew I was home, that my soul had found its place. I am a work in progress but the awareness and completeness I feel amongst them overwhelms me. I don’t know if I have expressed this very well, but I know you understand. Kia kaha.
Aroha always,
Robb
Robin Replies
Kia ora you beautiful Wild Brother, I feel like you are writing one of my deepest truths when you write: “…the world around me, what I had been taught to pursue by schools, by churches, by society, was not for me. I felt empty and alone. The only time I felt anything was when I was in Nature, walking in the woods, paddling my canoe, just being nothing yet everything if that makes sense.” This not only made complete and utter sense, but it was ME growing up and if I am really honest; it still is me. I have learned to find peace and joy wherever I am. But I CHOOSE to “be with” nature as much as possible. And the whole thrust of my life moves me back to a time I will once again go wild. I have learned a lot being in society the last 14 years; it’s been an invaluable time of growth, but… Well, you know how I feel, better than anyone. You jut know. Robb, I can’t tell you how much good it did my heart to read what you wrote here. I have written almost these same exact words in my first book, the I am in the process of getting out. In fact I’ve had some thoughts and ideas that I want to share with you. When I get a break at some point I will send off an email. And Robb, you expressed this beautifully….you always do. Kia kaha. Aroha always my Wild Brother.
Dorothy Stahlnecker Says:
12 June 2009 at 3:46 am.
I’m aware and I do embrace the everyday challenges. Although sometimes I wish life would give us all a break clearing the path to see how this place is fresh and filled with serenity, there for the taking and that I had the courage to do what you do, touch this earth as it’s meant to be raw and filled with exuberance, but for ourselves holding back filled with consequences which paralyze us instead of setting us free.
Blessings
Dorothy from grammology
grammology.com
Robin Replies
Dear Dorothy, I just added your site to my RSS feed and will stop by again. I am just loving your honest, tell it like it is wise ways. I love this comment. And am deeply touched by your depth of insight. I am blessed in that at a very young age I was dying in both body and spirit and really had nothing left to lose. So going to the jungle saved my life, along with other experiences. I was also blessed that I grew up with parents that loved nature and spent a lot of time with their children in nature. It gave me a deep base to draw on and fall back on. I think it’s why I feel so strongly about connecting children to the natural world, because I KNOW firsthand how it can change live, literally save lives (and not just children but adults as well). —I also am touched by your insight about how whenever we hold ourselves back there are consequences that can paralyze us. We stop the essential life force. I have been in those paralyzed states when I was young. Once I saw how completely they were paralyzing my whole life, I learned to head toward my fear and vowed I would never cripple myself again. At the same time I never judge someone when they are immobilized by fear or anything else for that matter, because I have been there myself and completely understand…so well. I feel only compassion, love and encouragement. Thank you for such a beautiful comment, Dorothy. And many blessing to YOU!
Walter Says:
12 June 2009 at 8:33 am.
Years ago, when I first came across Robins blog while doing research; in my dark little mind, I all but accused her of grandstanding. I said to myself: “Who is this upstart? No ordinary person can be this passionate; perhaps there is a a hidden agenda of self-interest here.” Ah could it be self-glorification?” That was one of my favorite pessimistic labels for extraordinary achievers. The doubting Thomas in me refused to except the truth, so I just went my way and left no seed behind. But I do like to plant seeds everywhere I go. One of those seeds, planted far away in the wilderness of the North, bore a fruit that caught our dear lady’s eye. She came bouncing into my blog like a ripe apple falling out of a tree. A friendship started then, although it still took me a long while to believe what I was seeing in her, but once I saw that she was indeed a very special human soul, and not some ego tripping nature snob. I’ve come to love Robin for what she is, so I am very happy to be a part of her dietary food chain. If at times she seems bigger than life, it simply is because she is.
In truth, I am the one who has always been a *showoff. … * I want to say big, but I’m trying to mend my ways.
Robin Replies
Dear Walter, Walter Walter!! I had no idea, boy you hid this one good from me!! LOL!! I am just hugging you right now. So many emotions collided reading this. I laughed over your wit, and tears came to my eyes because I was touched, and I admire you for such honesty and I couldn’t even begin to grasp that someone held me such high regard. I just don’t even think about it…I guess because I’m so busy falling in love with Life and people. And you have always been SOOOOO kind. My dear Walter this was my first thought: “But YOU are the maverick that you see in ME.” You have to be or you would not be able to see me in the encouraging way that you have. YOU are larger than life. Walt; you have lived and live and lived. You think with a great mind and move through the world with a huge generous heart. You are funny and witty and knock-your-socks-off intelligent. It is why you saw ME, understood ME, and we connected. It’s that simple. But then you don’t need me to tell you that. Thank you my dear friend. I am honored and touched.
Tammy/Cricket Says:
12 June 2009 at 12:08 pm.
Hey Robin,
Wow…what a thought provoking post here.
I have to say that for some strange reason I think I was born to be aware. I learned early on that by putting up walls didn’t necessarily make “bad” things go away. I grew up in a split family and I was constantly trying to deal with my emotions by writing in my diary. I was aware of so much around me. I am not so sure my siblings were as lucky as I. They have buried issues today that they are still dealing with.
I believe that awareness is a gift. So many of us never experience this. It is as though people go through life with their eyes shut. For some, there is a pivotal moment that triggers this awareness. For others, they remain “hidden” from reality.
Being aware and accepting of reality is a huge part of my life. I don’t like surprises. I feel as though meeting something head on is the only way to make it from moment to moment in my life. I don’t like going backwards, I don’t like rushing forward. I just like it now.
This has really gotten me thinking Robin. Maybe by writing I have been able to stay “aware” of all that is around me. What if I had never written? MMMM…..
Hugs to you Robin.
Tammy
Lance Says:
14 June 2009 at 5:58 pm.
Hi Robin,
I’m reminded of a time a few years back. We were camping at a large state forest with some friends. And our kids and their kids went biking through the campground. Our daughter fell behind, and before anyone noticed – she had veered off of the campground road and onto the main road in the state park, taking her away from our campsite area (unknown to us at the time) and she was probably about 6 years old. Once we realized she was gone, panic set in. Especially for me, once I drove out of the campground and just noticed all the paths veering off the road, and roads in different directions, and wilderness, and unknown. In the end, she had stayed on the main road and made it to the ranger station. I found her there. And it was all a very emotional moment. That’s not the point though – it’s that after this, I just felt so much more aware of my surroundings, and of life and how fragile it can be, and how important “moments” were, and how much I wanted love…
And to Tammy’s point – I have to agree also that writing helps me to become more aware also – as when I write, really write and connect with my soul – these times are very much a time of increased awareness – really back to what I talked about above.
Thanks so much for sharing these videos, and your voice with us…
Lynda Lehmann Says:
21 June 2009 at 12:14 pm.
Well, Robin, they say that ignorance is bliss but it’s also dangerous. I prefer to be aware and to balance my recognition of things that are negative or dangerous with my existential joy. I consider myself fortunate because my level of joy is very high. It wasn’t always this high, but it seems to increase with three things: maturity (ASSUMING I have achieved some level of it), life experience, and my commitment to finding beauty in life. 
I had a lot of pain in my childhood for various reasons that I won’t go into here, but pain is an educator. One learns how to get around it, in order to survive. Hopefully the compensations or adaptations one chooses serve well, to move us towards further self-awareness and affirmation of life.
I’ve heard about those jellyfish from Downunder, with their hideous cardio-toxin! I guess, as in all things, we are to enter into our encounters with awareness and respect for the not-always safe or comfortable nature of things!
Thanks for your expansiveness which encourages others to explore and expand!
