Sometimes my cat, Arjuna, jumps up on my desk and saunters between me and my computer screen.
Sometimes when I cook, she meows and meows while tangling herself around my ankles.
Sometimes while I race through the house en route to somewhere important she leaps up and wraps her legs around my thigh.
Often during these pleas for love, I stop, take her in my lap and run my palm over her back. With my fingertips I massage the top of her head and under her chin. For moments she melts with my touch. She closes her eyes and purrs. She presses her ear into my palm and rolls over to expose her belly.
She accepts the love.
But suddenly her eyes widen. She lifts her head, leaps up and scurries away.
I’ve come to accept this cat idiosyncrasy—kittyiosyncracy?
And I see myself reflected.
The Divine waits ready to caress me with love. Any moment I ask, It is there. And I do partake. I come into the stillness. My forehead, chest, belly, thighs and toes relax. An easy smile curves across my lips and my third eye shimmers. I soar in wingless flight.
And just as suddenly, my mind leaps up and scurries away. It thinks about a conflict with my neighbor, a comment to write on Facebook, winter squash for lunch or the evening news on television.
These diversions steal me from my Beloved. But they need never do so, even as I tend to them: I remain neutral with my contentious neighbor. I write loving posts on Facebook. I savor every bite of my squash as a Divine gift. And I hold my Beloved’s hand while watching the play of duality on the TV news.
In every moment I choose my attitude and where to put my attention.
My goal is to bear the love.
To enter it and never leave.
To be it.
In my silence, my beloved is here.
Beautiful, Thomas. Yes, always.
Lesley, what a beautiful morning addendum to my contemplation. Thank you so much. It reminds me of the Master being informed by Sat Purush that his biggest job as Master would be to convince his chelas that they are lovable and that they are loved. As always your blog is so sweet and so inspiring.
Kittyiosyncracy! I love it. In fact I have a few rudyiosyncracies I’d like to pawn off onto uncle Kal.
You’re the best, Lesley. Thanks again!
Rudy, what a wonderful reminder of that. Lately I have been blessed to taste that unconditional love. It is a love that requires nothing but love in return. I swoon within it. And as for your Rudiosyncracies, hah! I probably have just as many Lesleyocyncracies, and am equally willing to pawn them. Blessings, dear soul.
Love that kittyosyncracie! And in those words are echoes of my own writing about distractions, but even in the distractions the “beloved/my goddess” can be found as you so beautifully mentioned… Beautiful thoughts…
Thank you, Cynthia, what you say is so true. All is love. Yay!
Lesley, I enjoy your blog, book and posts on Facebook! I have never seen or previously enjoyed someone who can channel such love of the divine in simple every day events! Your words sweep me and I would imagine all your readers on an inner adventure every time. Bless you for being you!
I am happy to hear that, Michael, and what a wonderful compliment. That is exactly my goal, and I am getting to practice it especially hard today: to see the divine in every experience. Thank you!
I find myself revealed in your post today, swooning in the love one moment and carried away by mind’s promptings in the next. I observe our dog and often think of what a perfect example of bhakti he provides. He wants nothing more than to lay at the feet of his master and will not leave unless it is the master’s desire. He waits all day for his master and is thrilled beyond measure at the mere sight of him. He longs to be near his master and to be touched by him. While food may be the only competition in his world, there is nothing that he wants more than to be with his master always. Our dog also shows me what it means to be “all in.” Our dog gives himself completely to what he is doing. Whether it is playing passionately or chasing ferociously, he’s all in. He loves unconditionally and doesn’t hold grudges. It is easy to see why this dog is in my life. He helps me to become who I want to be.
Jamie, I am happy that your beautiful post on Facebook originated here (at least that’s what I assume the order). When I read it I swooned at the love, especially the last line, “He helps me become who I want to be.” Wow. Love it. Thank you for the reminder, dear friend.
Once again The Love has worked It’s way through you. 🙂 What caught my attention most was in the closing :
“In every moment I choose my attitude and where to put my attention.
My goal is to bear the love.
To enter it and never leave.
To be it.”
I am sure many disciples of Love share this goal. At times so simple and at times a head scratcher. What I find interesting of pets (particularly cats and dogs) they don’t quit, they persist, calling out until the soft hand comes down upon them.
Thank you for opening the door to this reflection, it is right on time (big surprise).
Much love and many blessings to you.
P.S. I bought your book and started reading it however a little one persisted in some fatherly love. I was going to continue reading it during lunch, but here I am. 😉
Logan, as usual, your words bring a big smile to my face. I love that you bring up the persistence of animals in their seeking love. Most dogs come back again and again to be petted. And that is a great teaching for us. When my mind wants to take over, I have to keep returning and returning to my Beloved, and after awhile, whatever was stealing my attention melts into love. That must be where the phrase “dogged determination” comes from. Thank you for reading my book. I’m honored.
Sweet! and now I have a new respect for my dog’s persistence!
Yes, Sheila, me too!
Love your post…picture, words…the timing, the way of taking everyday experiences & seeing the Sound reflected, & that everything can teach us if we listen. I’ve always had dogs /cats …& realized the love ! It now takes on even greater meaning !!! The comments are great & continue to teach & inspire !
Thank you, Susan, so true that everything can teach us. While making lunch today I experienced such love for all of creation, especially the most challenging parts, as they teach us most deeply. Love to your dogs/cats.
As usual Lesley you have touched our hearts with such graceful and loving re-direction. Thank you dear Soul for your wonderful gifts of resonance and peaceful reminders to go to the beloved. Your gentle reminders are like lamppost’s along the way, highlighting areas of introspection and joyous rejuvenation.
Thank you, Deborah. What a stunning image of lampposts lighting the way. We are blessed to have a path in which we are so well guided. It reminds me of Sri Gary’s recent story of following the Sound while using the light to illuminate the way.
Beautiful contemplation, Lesley. I love the “kittyosyncracies”, especially since I have a cat that does exactly what yours does. I had failed to see how she is simply modeling my own behavior with the Beloved. Thank you for the gentle and loving direction. As always, your words are exactly what I needed to read today. Many blessings.
It would be fun if we could have a big dog and cat party so all of these blessed souls could meet, but maybe we are having one right now as we bring in their presence. I’m happy this spoke to you, Marian.
“Bare the love” is what you are doing, Lesley! The comments to your blog are also wonderful and inspiring. No people on this planet are as fortunate as we, for we have a sure ticket to original Source. Who can possibly thank the Sat Guru…this is done internally every moment.
So true, Al, and what a joy it is to give the love away when I have so much! And I agree, the comments inspire me every day, and isn’t that what happens when we give, so much comes back. We truly are fortunate beings. Thank you, dear soul!
Thank you for channeling this great Love………
You are so welcome, Debra. Thank you for all the beautiful channeling you do. You are a shining sun.
So easy to get distracted and so sublime to come Home. The dance between the two always fluid if we embrace it…Thank you as always Lesley…
So true, Mimi. It really is a sublime dance. I love your full appreciation of life!